adjusting action on a flamenco guitar

[Kevin Smith]

I just purchased a hand made Flamenco guitar. I've discovered that I
would like to lower the action slightly on the treble side. I noticed
that the bridge is already very low, with minimal white exposed on the
string rest. This bridge is of a slightly different design than my
Yamaha classical. It is a straight piece with no intonation offset for
the G.

What's next ? It would seem like some further neck work would be
required to change the action - unless the bridge could be somehow
lowered. I noticed that the neck is only slightly "bowed" with the
strings held down at the 1st and 12th. (maybe less than 1/64"). That
seems OK and is consistent with my other guitars.

Any suggestions ? I don't necessarily want to do any of this work
myself, but I am now puzzled as to how this would be done.

[John J van Gool]

have a look at http://www.lutherie-van-gool.nl/prod06html
It shows photos of bridge working to get the right angle for strings and
lowering the action on a flamenco guitar.

John J van Gool, luthier
http://www.lutherie-van-gool.nl

[Skip Helms]

Usually you would just plane/file/sand the wood around the saddle down so
you get enough clearance and then sand a little off the bottom of the
saddle and drop it back in. It is not a big job. If the saddle slot isn't
deep enough you may have to remove some wood there too. A quick French
polish around the exposed wood and you are on your way.

Skip Helms
Zia Guitars

[GuitarsWeB]

How high are the strings above the face of the guitar between the rosette and
bridge? You might have a flamenco guitar, built with a classical neck angle and
bridge.
Paul McGuffin

[GuitarsWeB]

>Usually you would just plane/file/sand the wood around the saddle down so
>you get enough clearance and then sand a little off the bottom of the
>saddle and drop it back in.

Make sure you will have enough string angle from the tie-block over the back
side of the saddle, at least 10 degrees or more.
Paul McGuffin

[Bruce M. Walker]

Kevin,

I suggest before you do anything else you have the neck angle checked. From
your description it sounds as if it may be off. Most spanish foot
construction guitars (flamenco/classical) cannot be adjusted, however.

Bruce Walker, luthier

"Kevin Smith" <smit...@gte.net> wrote in message
news:3C56BF5F...@gte.net...

[Kevin Smith]

The strings are about 5/16 or 8mm from the bottom of the strings to the
top of the guitar between the rosette and bridge.

The neck of the guitar is about 20mm deep at the first fret. (ie from
top of first fret to back of neck); although the neck is about as wide
as a classical guitar it seems to be quite a bit thinner. typical of a
flamenco neck ?

Kevin

[Kevin Smith]

I took precise measurements of the action (as close as I can get with a
steel rule at the 12th fret) and it is actually at the lower end of the
range recommended by gilbert (for classical guitars). My other guitar
is lower; I'm kind of wondering if I should leave it. The strings on
this guitar are fairly stiff althought the diameter is thin. Perhaps, I
need to go with different strings.

Does anyone have any source for strings recommendations for flamenco
guitars ?

[GuitarsWeB]

>Does anyone have any source for strings recommendations for flamenco
>guitars ?
>

Most flamenco players I know, seem to like the normal or light gauge strings.
As I remember, Adam Del Monte uses a light gauge. I have even heard of some
players tuning their instruments down a half or full note to get a soft or lose
feeling.
Paul McGuffin

[Michael Corrieri]

On 1/30/02 8:49 AM, in article 3C581808...@gte.net, "Kevin Smith"
<smit...@gte.net> wrote:

>
> Does anyone have any source for strings recommendations for flamenco
> guitars ?
>

First: A trip to a luthier with your instrument for a quick inspection may
be deserved. It could reveal to you if there are any problems/issues and
recommendations.

I typically measure the "action" at the twelfth fret; the distance from the
top of the fret to the bottom of the string. On my flamenco this is 2.5mm on
the bass side, a hair under 2mm on the treble side. Of course it is also
crucial to not have the action low enough that it buzzes. A local luthier
surfaced my frets for me, removing trouble spots.

Second: The strings will definitely change playability.

On my flamenco I use the D'Addario LP Normal tension basses, combined with
Savarez Alliance Blue Card trebles. I like the polished basses for string
noise reduction and less wear on my nails. I prefer the strong fundamental
of the composite string trebles over the nylon. Sometimes I use the Alliance
Red G String, it is a bit quieter than the blue (both less noise and volume)
but does have a nice slinky feel. This combination sucks on my classicals,
but works well on flamenco - it is fast and percusive.

OTOH my teacher hates my strings. He uses La Bella 2001 Flamencos on his
Rubio (and what an amazing guitar it is). But he also steel wools all of the
finish off of his guitar necks (and most of the body as well), which I think
is a bit extreme.

Good luck!

Michael Corrieri

[globalfitness...@yahoo.com]

How can I lower action on my flamenco guitar?
It's a good instrument, but I have a hard time playing the picados, since the strings feel too tense. I'm using medium tension Knobloch strings, tuned at 440Hz.

Thanks.

[hank alrich]

There are several ways to lower the action on any guitar for which the
strings are not already right against the frets.

A qualified luthier will know what makes most sense. Picking the wrong
approach can make a mess of it.

Bluntly, if you were qualified to do the work you wouldn't be asking
this question.

If you wish to do it anyway I suggest buying a copy of Hideo Kamimoto's
_Complete Guitar Repair_.

Good luck with it, regardless of the approach you take. Poor action is
not a guitarist's friend.

--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

[dsi1]

To answer that question you have to provide some basic measurements: 1)
The action of the guitar strings. 2) The relief of the neck. 3) The
height of the saddle above the front edge of the saddle slot.