Ideal set up for fingerstyle

TOCS · #1 12-21-2013, 12:58 PM

I created a thread a while back concerning my future purchase of a Martin D-28. I got most of my questions answered. But since I ordered the guitar (which I decided to do!) back very early this month, more questions have come to my mind. Especially the part regarding playability if you like complex fingerstyle of the likes of Jon Gomm, Antoine Dufour, Andy McKee etc.

I'm a little bit concerned about the factory action which the D-28 will arrive with. Can I expect it to be any better than the action my cheap, laminated, Ashland by Crafter guitar?

Or will the D-28 barre an F chord out of the box? Because I've always had a hard time doing that on that thing above, especially an F minor.

Also if you're unable to see the actual measurements due to my phone camera and the fact that's completely dark outside, these are the number:

3 mm at the 12th fret
12 mm at the saddle
around 1,5 mm at the first fret

P.S. Sorry for the huge images. I've never experienced anything like it on the other forums I regularly visit.

ljguitar · #2 12-21-2013, 01:07 PM

Hi TOCs

Your pictures are TOO BIG!!!

We cannot navigate your post effectively...

muscmp · #3 12-21-2013, 01:12 PM

do you have any larger pix? ha!

a lot of people need to have a setup on their guitar after they have played it for a while. you'll have to make that decision for yourself, or do it yourself, if you can.

play music!

JohnW63 · #4 12-21-2013, 01:14 PM

If you Right-Click on each image, and choose " View Image" they are a much more workable size.

Clydeslide · #5 12-21-2013, 01:16 PM

My phone hates you.

TOCS · #6 12-21-2013, 01:29 PM

I worked my way around a fix for the huge images. They should be at an acceptable size now.

Phelonious Ponk · #7 12-21-2013, 01:40 PM

Your D-28 is probably going to arrive set up for reasonably aggressive strumming and flat picking. In other words, pretty high. Most of that is going to be a function of the height of the saddle and the set of the truss rod, though. Your ability to play an F chord comfortably is more about the cut of the nut, so your D-28 may be just fine in the first position. It'll be here soon and you'll know. The good news is it's all variable. You can set up a D-28, or any guitar to any action you prefer. The trick is figuring out what it is you prefer and communicating it to the guy doing the set up so you only have to do it once.

P

ljguitar · #8 12-21-2013, 01:46 PM

Hi TOCs...

You may have better action out of the box with the Martin, or not. Good news is action is adjustable, even on your less expensive Ashland.

You may want to start looking into topics like neck relief, nut slot depth, and then saddle adjustment...and that is the order my guitars are setup in.

First the neck relief is set, then the nut slot depth (if adjustment is needed) and lastly saddle height.

TOCS · #9 12-21-2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phelonious Ponk

Your D-28 is probably going to arrive set up for reasonably aggressive strumming and flat picking. In other words, pretty high. Most of that is going to be a function of the height of the saddle and the set of the truss rod, though. Your ability to play an F chord comfortably is more about the cut of the nut, so your D-28 may be just fine in the first position. It'll be here soon and you'll know. The good news is it's all variable. You can set up a D-28, or any guitar to any action you prefer. The trick is figuring out what it is you prefer and communicating it to the guy doing the set up so you only have to do it once.

P

You know, this is the kind of posts I really like! At least I know what to tell the guy behind the desk if it doesn't play like I want it to. =)