AITA Here? When does a guitar need a neck reset?

[E-Type]

I wanted to know more about a D-40 on Reverb. I asked the seller about the low E action and the string height at the D string above the top of the guitar. The action was 9/64" and the D string was 3/8" off the top. I politely responded "Thanks, but I don't think I could get the action to under 6/64" without a reset."

He responded that it was possible by shaving the saddle and maybe also the bridge. Of course, I had to respond with "the ideal setup is D-string 1/2" above the top so taking it down to 0.28" was more than I was willing to do." He thought I was being way too picky.

Another seller has a D-35 with action just under 6/64" and the D-string 0.39" above the top. I'm debating if that is on the edge of needing a reset... 13/32" (0.41") is my usual cutoff. AM I being too picky?

 

[Cougar]

AM I being too picky?

Heck no. As you say, string height of 1/2" from the body at the bridge is ideal. As for neck reset indicators, I'm not sure if that is as important as the neck angle. (Probably both.)

 

[E-Type]

Heck no. As you say, string height of 1/2" from the body at the bridge is ideal. As for neck reset indicators, I'm not sure if that is as important as the neck angle. (Probably both.)

It is really hard to judge neck angel from afar. I have kind of settled on action and string height as the best two measures to be my red flag. I wish I had a nickel for every seller who told me 7/64", 8/64" or even 9/64" action was "low" or "great for digging in." But I gotta say, suggesting that I take the saddle and bridge down so that the low E is just about 1/4" off the top was a new one. Oh, and that with 20 years of doing guitar repairs, he had never heard that 1/2" was an ideal.

 

[davismanLV]

Generally speaking, if the string height is too high for your style or preference, and there's no way to lower the bridge or saddle enough to make that happen, then it's in need of a neck reset. The general rule of thumb is however much you'd like to lower the string action, you have to take DOUBLE that amount off the bottom of the saddle. That can add up very quickly. It's tough when you can't see it in person, but if you can get them to put a straight edge (24") on the fretboard, on the frets, and run it down to the bridge, you can determine a lot about the neck angle. This easy indicator is shown on the FRETS.COM website HERE and HERE for you to see.

Him intimating that you're too picky, is just him being a bully. Is he gonna be responsible for getting said neck reset done? No, it's YOU who's going to foot the bill. So that's a bunch of hooey!! Stay strong, the right guitar will come along.

 

[chazmo]

Hmm... I don't see any bullying in that conversation excerpt, Tom. Am I missing something, E-Type?

 

[davismanLV]

Hmm... I don't see any bullying in that conversation excerpt, Tom. Am I missing something, E-Type?

Well, he's trying to sell a guitar that has obvious issues and rather than accept that, he tells E-Type that he's "Too Picky". So you can chose any word you like but it seems like a bully to me, trying to get his sale completed despite issues with the guitar. Is bully a horror word now?? Use whatever word you like. How about "being deceptive"??

 

[chazmo]

Calm down, Tom. I was not objecting to your wording. If someone's being a bully, then they're being a bully.

The way I read that was E-type expressing an opinion, not that the seller said that to him. I don't know.... @E-Type ?

And, no, that's certainly not being too picky!

 

[E-Type]

I was trying to politely explain why I was not interested in making an offer after asking him to take some measurements. I did not take him as being a bully, so much as he (maybe subconsiously) wanted to let me know he thought I was being unreasonably picky.