‘76 D55 Neck Reset, Replace Bridge?

[E-Type]

Generally I’d agree with you, but as I said, I’m very fond of the guitar’s sound and fear that a major restructuring will change it. I’ll certainty discuss it with the luthier. One alternative would be to do the neck reset without replacing the bridge, see how it sounds and woks. If need be I can always replace the bridge after the neck reset.

I don't think 5/16" is too short (although borderline). With that and a saddle sticking up 5/32", you are almost to having the strings 1/2" above the top. See how the luthier feels about setting the neck so that the saddle is 3/16" tall. Then you are at 1/2" from D-string to top.

 

[wileypickett]

I had a similar dilemma several years ago — a great sounding guitar that needed a new bridge and neck reset.

I had the work done and was really disappointed when it came back and didn’t sound as good as I remembered.

But two months later it was every bit as good sounding as it had been originally.

I don’t know if the guitar just needed to settle in or get some playing time on it, but ultimately I was glad I went ahead with the work.

It certainly played a lot better after the reset!

 

[valleyguy]

It certainly played a lot better after the reset!

This is what I’m really looking forward to!

 

[valleyguy]

I don't think 5/16" is too short (although borderline). With that and a saddle sticking up 5/32", you are almost to having the strings 1/2" above the top. See how the luthier feels about setting the neck so that the saddle is 3/16" tall. Then you are at 1/2" from D-string to top.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Br1ck]

Though firmly centered on Martins, if you follow Bryan Kimsey, you will learn a lot about your guitar. People send him primarily 70s Martins. His conditions are that there is no time window for completion. Since he does many neck resets, and scalloping of braces, he prefers to wait for guitars to settle in, and that takes a while. He does not want to over scallop. When completed, he likes to keep them for another month.

My daughter had a tragic top split accident with her cello, and a violin maker made a new top from a thirty year old piece of wood. To say it was disappointing would be an understatement. Six months later it was singing.