Contemplating a Neck Reset - Loar LH700

[garybaldy]

I've had my 2011 700 for just over 2 years now. It came with a neck mount floater, possibly a jazzy joe - I've never checked the base. The bridge adjustment is about as low as it'll go - 3/4"/ 11/16" which I've always wondered about. I use Martin Monel 12s. The neck is pretty much dead straight. I've been playing it regularly in an old time band. There's some slight fret buzz here and there but I really like the sound.
I recently took a flat top for a neck reset which is currently being done. This got me thinking that the Loar could be improved with a reset giving it (something like) a bridge height of around 1" and thus a bigger string break angle. It would give the guitar a chance to have a little neck relief, more scope for bridge adjustment and hopefully a perfect action! It may sound better as well?
Looking to having it done in a few weeks.

[deacon Mark]

It seems to be a shallow neck angle but a guitar like that would not be worth the money for a neck reset. It would cost at least $600 for a neck reset if not more I would think. I would just play it as it was or sell it to someone cheap.

[garybaldy]

It seems to be a shallow neck angle but a guitar like that would not be worth the money for a neck reset. It would cost at least $600 for a neck reset if not more I would think. I would just play it as it was or sell it to someone cheap.

Thanks.
I was lucky enough to buy it cheap and I can get it done for a good price. So I'm happy with that.

[icr]

I'd just shave down the existing bridge or saddle. Are you sure it has the original bridge and saddle anyway?

[vintagelove]

I wouldn't jump to a neck reset before checking if the bridge/nut/fretwork isn't the problem first.

And beware of the luthier that did as well.

[John A.]

If the bridge is as low it can go and the the action is too high, then it likely needs a reset. That’s a much discussed issue with Loars — early ones were built without enough neck angle [I passed on buying one that had this problem, though another I tried was fine].

It’s not entirely clear from your post whether that’s the case. Good action on an acoustic guitar is around 6/64" at the 12th fret, +/- a hair. If it’s at 7/64” or more and the bridge is bottomed out, it’s a reset candidate. I’d say it’s worth doing, given where prices for these guitars are now.

[garybaldy]

If the bridge is as low it can go and the the action is too high, then it likely needs a reset. That’s a much discussed issue with Loars — early ones were built without enough neck angle [I passed on buying one that had this problem, though another I tried was fine].

It’s not entirely clear from your post whether that’s the case. Good action on an acoustic guitar is around 6/64" at the 12th fret, +/- a hair. If it’s at 7/64” or more and the bridge is bottomed out, it’s a reset candidate. I’d say it’s worth doing, given where prices for these guitars are now.

Thanks
The bridge is bottomed out on the treble side and not quite on the bass side. With the odd fret buzz here and there, I feel the neck needs a tad more relief which would then mean shaving the bridge which I don't want to do. (It may have been done before)
It's a really nice player and great for the stuff I do. Also strangely in recent months the tone seems to have changed (I know I'm nuts!). The strings have been on just over a year but when I now play it I'm thinking " Damn, this sounds good!". I really don't want to sell it on.

[daverepair]

Since you like everything about your Loar(except the lack of relief(and related buzz)and the bottomed out bridge), and you got it for a very good price, then IMO you should certainly have the neck reset. You can then have a taller bridge, with adjustment up or down, and add relief to the neck. A taller bridge will likely add to the volume and enhance the tone. I have reset the necks of many vintage archtops(mostly Epiphones)with low bridges, and all have benefitted from the reset.

You will want to have it done by someone experienced with working on archtops. Also, the reset may be complicated by whatever glue was used, at the Asian factory: hopefully the adhesive releases with the usual heat and moisture.

[garybaldy]

Since you like everything about your Loar(except the lack of relief(and related buzz)and the bottomed out bridge), and you got it for a very good price, then IMO you should certainly have the neck reset. You can then have a taller bridge, with adjustment up or down, and add relief to the neck. A taller bridge will likely add to the volume and enhance the tone. I have reset the necks of many vintage archtops(mostly Epiphones)with low bridges, and all have benefitted from the reset.

You will want to have it done by someone experienced with working on archtops. Also, the reset may be complicated by whatever glue was used, at the Asian factory: hopefully the adhesive releases with the usual heat and moisture.

Thank you Dave for your reply and helpful advice