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Fez
Aloha
New Zealand
19 Posts |
 Posted - 08/31/2005 : 8:34:46 PM
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Kia ora,
I wish to lower the action on my tenor uke to make barre chord playing more easy.From what I've read people talk about string height at the twelth fret to measure action.
I would be interested to hear what people have their ukes set at to get some idea about what I should be able to get away with.
Didn't get any advice from my last post about a loud low G string hope I'm more successful this time.
arohanui
Brian
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Arohanui
Fez |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2005 : 07:04:13 AM
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| I read 0.10" somewhere but I think that may have been for a concert. Not sure if it makes a difference. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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cheeba
Aloha
25 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2005 : 10:31:13 AM
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| does fiddling with the height effect the intonation at all? |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2005 : 11:14:37 AM
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Cheeba, there is definitely a relationship between action and intonation. Higher action = more stretching = greater offset for proper intonation.
Fez, be sure to evaluate the nut _before_ adjusting the bridge. Both ends control action (string distance from frets) and the recommended procedure is to get the nut to the right height first.
Frank Ford is one of the premier guitar technicians. He maintains a website with lots of information on guitar setup and repair, and the info on definitely applies to ukuleles.
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html
Fran
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E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi
Slack Key Guitar in California - www.kaleponi.com
Slack Key on YouTube
Homebrewed Music Blog |
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KoAloha
Akahai
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2005 : 3:15:16 PM
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Hi Fez,
I usually use .110" as a good starting point for my customs. This gives the instrument a nice, bright tone and it's easy to play. This is somewhat of a generic adjustment and other factors, such as scale length, type of strings, and nut adjustment all add to the equation.
I wouldn't go any lower than .100", because you start to get into 'the buzz zone'. It is possible, but like I said, .110" is a good 'one size fits all' measurement that should suit a majority of people.
Also, be careful not to alter the adjustment too much. Anything over .010" and you'll probably be better off re-filing the nut.
Aloha,
Paul |
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Fez
Aloha
New Zealand
19 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2005 : 4:55:13 PM
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I'm sad to say I got a bit carried away last night when sanding the bottom of the plastic bridge plate. Now I'v got some buz under 2 of the 8 strings.
I've always been one who has to learn from my mistakes!!
Guess I'll have to put a plastic shim underneath it now to raise it!'
Thanks for the help Paul.
Arohanui |
Arohanui
Fez |
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KoAloha
Akahai
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 08:43:45 AM
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Fez,
What size is the saddle slot? E-mail me the details and I'll see if I can dig up an extra saddle for you. |
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Fez
Aloha
New Zealand
19 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 1:00:57 PM
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I appreciate the offer Paul, thanks.
I used a bit of Kiwi ingenuiety and cut a plastic shim out of an old icecream container.
Only brought it up about 1mm but it was enough and the action is great now.
For some reason that I cannot explain, lowering the action seems to have taken a bit of the twang out of the wound G string without effecting the tone of the others as well.
Maybe icecream plastic doesn't conduct metal vibes so well?? |
Arohanui
Fez |
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KoAloha
Akahai
USA
68 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2005 : 5:33:13 PM
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| Generally speaking, you'll lose some twang, as you lower the action. As you raise the action, you gain volume, to a certain point. |
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timbo
Aloha
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 08:53:11 AM
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I just lowered the action on my new pineapple by sanding down the saddle. Definitely noticed a decrease in volume and resonance(not to mention some fret rattle due to too much sanding on my part).
Sent an email to KoAloha, got an answer from Paul in about 30seconds.
They're sending me a couple new saddles ! I am IMPRESSED!
Oh yeah, this pineapple is the most amazing uke I've played, highly recommended. Life is good. |
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