Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on March 28, 2017 at 2:15am

a profile shot might show how bad the action is and give ideas on what can be done...

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Permalink Reply by Gina G on March 28, 2017 at 3:05am

Good point... at work but I will try to get one.  Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on March 28, 2017 at 2:32am

At the headstock, are the strings bent on a zero fret or on the nut?

The distance from this point to the 12th fret should equal the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge. I think you have to reposition the bridge, and all strings should pass over the inlays on the bridge.

Now, with the bridge in correct position, what's the action on the 1st and 12th fret?

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Permalink Reply by JL on March 28, 2017 at 2:43am

The bridge configuration is a start at a fully compensated bridge, where each string gets its own compensation, but from the picture it doesn't look finished,

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Permalink Reply by Gina G on March 28, 2017 at 3:08am

Yes, you are right!  I posted a pic above.  Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on March 28, 2017 at 4:12am

Yeah, bridge looks like a homemade attempt at a compensated bridge, but whoever did it either didn't understand proper compensation, or maybe had another reason. JL's pic shows one version of individual string compensation. Interesting construction: two different boxes slapped (probably screwed) together, the neck looks to be screwed into the top of the box in at least two locations, the "fretboard" is def homemade...difficult to be sure because of the pic, but does the neck have a slight twist to it? Zero fret, hand cut nut, homemade tailstop, and the "T" logo at the top, 12 frets to the body, 6 strings: homemade guitalele. And a humbucker.

How's it tuned? In A? Agree with Moritz: at least from the pic, it looks like the bridge needs to move further back toward the tailpiece to be properly intonated...which may be why the bridge is compensated the way it is.

Being me, I'd start unscrewing the thing to see what's under the hood, look for construction details. When you say the action is ridiculous, presumably you mean it is too high for proper fretting. That's fixable with a new bridge. But first, measure the scale length; looks like it could be around 18-19". Once you know the actual scale length, you could get a Tune-O-Matic fully adjustable bridge from AllParts.com, and pop that on there, to go with the tuners and pup. Should run you about $35 for a Gotoh, and about 75$ for a Schaller.

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Permalink Reply by Gina G on March 28, 2017 at 4:27am

Good idea, I will check that out.  Yep - it has as many screws as Frankenstein!  I think the T logo must have been the owner...?  It was not tuned at all, missing B string.  Yes the neck looks a bit off but I think that will be easy to fix...?  Maybe...here are some close-ups...
Thank you!

Attachments:

• 3. Neck_.jpg, 149 KB
• 5. Unfinished Neck_.jpg, 383 KB

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Permalink Reply by JL on March 28, 2017 at 4:34am

what does the nut and first few frets/fingerboard look like from the side?

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Permalink Reply by Gina G on March 28, 2017 at 5:28am

Hmmm... I will check (at work) but as I recall I was somewhat able to fret the 1st three frets...

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Permalink Reply by Gina G on March 28, 2017 at 7:43am

The neck is not secure...  :(

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Permalink Reply by Milt Haselmire on March 28, 2017 at 12:47pm

Wow! That guitar really needs a doctor. That said nothing is impossible.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on March 28, 2017 at 1:32pm

That bridge looks like it has individual saddles for intonation, but i suspect it's not set up well, also just scaling the picture it looks like your bridge needs to move forward a couple of inches to make it double the length of nut to 12th fret, i'd start there, measure nut to 12th, then bridge at double that, but i fear that will take it to, or at least close to the pick up, with only 12 frets outside the box,  if it's not easily fixed, it looks like a good candidate for a new neck, whether self made or purchased, just noticed that it is 2 boxes joined, shortening 1 of the boxes at the join may , in the end be the easiest way to keep it looking the same but working, but surgery is required i'm pretty sure

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