My D-15's action is a bit high... (update)

infoghost · Unread post by **infoghost** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:28 pm

Hey all,

As you know, I got a D-15 for Christmas, which I love. I've got some question with the action.

The strings are pretty high off the fretboard, which makes it a bit harder to play. Nothing horrible, but higher than I am used to, and I have to press down a bit harder. However, she sings like a dream - not a single buzz or dead note to be found.

My only comparison is my Alvarez. The action is very low, making it super easy to play. It does, however, rattle a bit, which the D-15 does not do.

I have not yet changed the strings on the D-15, they are coming friday. I noticed that the action was nice and low when I got the guitar, but once I tuned to standard E, it pulled up a bit. Should I go even lighter on this guitar?

I am not sure what to do. I don't want to ruin the sound by lowering the action, if that could happen. Should I simply put new strings on, and see if that helps? I am not exactly sure what strings ship on the D-15 - I hear some say lights, some medium. I usually use lights, 12-53's, and these do feel a bit heavier.

I don't want to do anything to ruin the beautiful sound I am getting. Do I just toughen up a bit, and get some more strength in my hands, or do I take it in and have them lower the action a bit? Any advice is appreciated.

fatjack · Unread post by **fatjack** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:36 pm

infoghost wrote:Hey all,

As you know, I got a D-15 for Christmas, which I love. I've got some question with the action.

The strings are pretty high off the fretboard, which makes it a bit harder to play. Nothing horrible, but higher than I am used to, and I have to press down a bit harder. However, she sings like a dream - not a single buzz or dead note to be found.

My only comparison is my Alvarez. The action is very low, making it super easy to play. It does, however, rattle a bit, which the D-15 does not do.

I have not yet changed the strings on the D-15, they are coming friday. I noticed that the action was nice and low when I got the guitar, but once I tuned to standard E, it pulled up a bit. Should I go even lighter on this guitar?

I am not sure what to do. I don't want to ruin the sound by lowering the action, if that could happen. Should I simply put new strings on, and see if that helps? I am not exactly sure what strings ship on the D-15 - I hear some say lights, some medium. I usually use lights, 12-53's, and these do feel a bit heavier.

I don't want to do anything to ruin the beautiful sound I am getting. Do I just toughen up a bit, and get some more strength in my hands, or do I take it in and have them lower the action a bit? Any advice is appreciated.

this is why i warn against the D-15, factory made hiogh action should be on the sticker. i do admit they sound nice

the string gauge is not gonna change your action enough to really notice that much difference. your best bet is to sand down the bridge a bit. if you are not sure that you would do it right, go to a guitar store and get them to set it up.

infoghost · Unread post by **infoghost** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:48 pm

I am sure the action can be lowered, by either me or a shop. It just makes me nervous that I might ruin the sound.

The strings are not so high it is unplayable...just a bit higher than I am used to on my Alvarez. Then again, the Alvarez can't come close to the D-15's sound.

fatjack · Unread post by **fatjack** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 8:04 pm

infoghost wrote:I am sure the action can be lowered, by either me or a shop. It just makes me nervous that I might ruin the sound.

The strings are not so high it is unplayable...just a bit higher than I am used to on my Alvarez. Then again, the Alvarez can't come close to the D-15's sound.

just tell em to not make it too low, the shouldn't change

Beauford33 · Unread post by **Beauford33** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 9:05 pm

I noticed that Taylor 110 action is pretty high too. Nice guitar, but the strings are way off the fret board.

hd28v · Unread post by **hd28v** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 10:35 am

I know you are also a member of umgf.com b/c I browse there alot also. I would suggest (what I did with my D-15) is call Maury at maurysmusic.com and let him know your problem. I has pre-shaped bone saddles that will git your D-15 perfect. He has them in low action, medium, etc..... It will not only make your box easier to play but also at some brigtness in the treble. They make a guitar sound hella good.

Maury is a great guy to deal with. Let him know you are a member of umgf and you will get a discount as well.

infoghost · Unread post by **infoghost** » Thu Jan 01, 2004 7:07 pm

Yep that is me. Maybe that is the best way to go, just slip in a lower saddle and not worry about the setup right now. How much do they usually run? I'll head over there and see if I can find prices.

hd28v · Unread post by **hd28v** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:01 am

How much do they usually run? I'll head over there and see if I can find prices.

For UMGF members the cost is $20 but I think that is for blanks (ones you have to shape yourself). I would call and see if he has any pre-shaped low action ones. I am sure he would. Might cost a bit extra but worth it.

infoghost · Unread post by **infoghost** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:11 am

I got the guitar setup and action lowered, and WOW, it's a completely different guitar. It's so easy to play now, just as easy as my super low action Alvarez. They didn't go as low as the Alvarez, but it plays just as well now. They didn't want to go to low, due to the weather here right now, so I left it to their judgment, and it's perfect. So to those that think the action on a D-15 is too high, it can be easily corrected.

I had them put my John Pearse PB's (light) on and set it up to those. They are fantastic strings, and I won't be using anything else for awhile. One thing I noticed about the stock martin strings, is that they were very quiet, especially with finger picking. The JP still keep the mellow sound of the D-15, but bring out much more volume. Maybe the martin strings had been on there for awhile, I am not sure. Also, they *may* have had some form of coating on them, because the JP strings really feel like good old uncoated strings - they actually feel funny right now to me, but I've been using elixirs on my Alvarez. The sound they give off is fantastic, much fuller than others I've tried. Time will of course tell, I am not sure how long they will last.

So in the end, I couldn't be happier with my D-15. It now plays like a dream, and sounds just as good.

Thanks to all that offered advice on this.

hd28v · Unread post by **hd28v** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:29 am

Glad that you are happy with the D-15. Hope it brings joy for a lifetime. I will have to give the John Pearse stings a try on my 15. Do they make medium gauge?

Also, make sure you keep you guitar wet during these dry winter days.

infoghost · Unread post by **infoghost** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:09 am

Here is the link to his strings. Buy them at musiciansfriend.com, they are half the price. I am using the 600L Lights. I bought them after several people on the UMFG and Harmony-Central Boards thought very highly of them. Mine are uncoated, so they squeak, but they FEEL like guitar strings, not plastic.

http://www.jpstrings.com/brstring.htm

Buy them here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... n/it=1GHM1

I am using a dampit right now, but I also have one of these coming, also made by John Pearse:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid ... id/421650/

Just to be safe.

DMBTabs.com

My D-15's action is a bit high... (update)

My D-15's action is a bit high... (update)

Re: My D-15's action is a bit high...

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