Do you have normal acoustic guitar relief?

[pawlowski6132]

So, I just noticed that I don't have any relief in my acoustic archtops. I never checked before so, not sure that I ever did have it. But, I've been mucking with the string height and am starting to notice some issues with top arch, wonky saddle, wondering about nut, etc.

I'm primarily play for my own entertainment and as a hobby.

For those of you in a similar boat, how much time and money do you spend setting up your guitars and making sure everything is perfect (tuners, break angle/tailpiece, neck relief, action, nut height, sunk arch, etc.)

They play good enough for me 98% of the time. But, I'm trying to not feed my OCD and save some money.

Curious to hear other opinions.

[darkwaters]

For me, a good setup is essential and I’ve enjoyed teaching myself how. Relief, action and intonation have to be just right.

and, yes, my wife says that I’m OCD.

[GuyBoden]

I've just setup an inexpensive Ibanez AG85 I bought used last week. (Fret dress/polish. Then setup like an electric solid top)

Neck relief is set to about 0.15mm, measured at the 7th with the low string fretted at the 1st and 14th fret.


The action is set to about 1.5mm on the low string and 1mm on the high string at the 12th fret.


But, a higher action than 1.5mm and more relief would fatten the tone, IMHO.

[deacon Mark]

Necks can be basically flat, but you have to have a really good neck and fret set up to avoid the buzzing. I have a little I don't like a lot, but it can depend on the guitar. Many guitars have been made that do not allow any adjustment because they don't have an adjustable truss rod, think about that for a bit. This is true off all older Martin Guitars and they did not go to it till 1985. That said I prefer them adjustable. .010 on an acoustic is a typical amount but it varies like the wind.