Guild F47RCE String Height

[90NightbirdCU]

I recently purchased a used Guild F47RCE 1999-2000 Westerly stickered a/e guitar. The sound if this guitar is amazing. However, the string height at the 12 fret base string is 8/64" on the base side and 7/64" on the treble side. String height at the first fret is 4/64 on both the base and treble sides. Laying a 18" straight edge on the neck shows it perfectly flat with no relief at all. As a lead electric guitar player, this setup seems like the grand canyon to me and I was wondering if this is a normal guild setup or do I need to have a pro set it up. For me, chording is doable to the 5th fret, lead work past the 7th is another story in itself. Hope the forum can help me out. Many thanks in advance!!

 

[jazzmang]

Sounds like it needs a setup.

My F-65ce that I happen to have in my hands is right at 5/64ths both at the bass and treble sides. My neck has little to no relief.

 

[90NightbirdCU]

Is the 5/64 at the 1st or 12th fret? Can the Saddle and Bridge be shaved down to lower the string action or does this compromise the structural integrity of the top?

 

[jazzmang]

Is the 5/64 at the 1st or 12th fret? Can the Saddle and Bridge be shaved down to lower the string action or does this compromise the structural integrity of the top?

I've got 5/64" at the 12th fret. At the 1st fret, its about 1.5/64" under the low E string!

The saddle is commonly shaved to the proper height in a setup. Shaving the bridge is possible, but generally pretty complicated, as you have to remove the bridge (without damaging it), shave it to a satisfactory height, and reglue it perfectly. I'm skipping a couple cleanup steps here, but they're important nonetheless.

 

[adorshki]

HI Nightbird: ALL of mine were a tad high out of the factory but not quite that high. All advice already given sounds good with the added reminder that shaving saddle might affect action at nut, that might get compensateed with a truss adjustment, but probaby that's all that will be needed. My F65 neck also arrow straight.
As a counterpoint I think now that that extra height just might allow for guys like me who play a lot right over the fretboard with classical technique, it leaves just enough room to really get at the strings and there's a certain tone spot there....you can always lower it it if you don't like it...

 

[GardMan]

That sounds really high, to me. Most of my dreads are set up with a smidge over 3/32 low E/12th fret, and about 5/64 high E 12th fret.

Your height at the first fret (4/64) sounds really high to me... (Guild recommends 0.022 = 1/45" between the low E and the first fret) and perhaps the nut needs to be adjusted. Even 1/32" change in the string height at the nut makes a BIG difference in playability. See here for Frank Ford's take on adjusting the nut. Here's Guilds setup instructions...

Take her to a luthier for a setup. Between adjusting the nut and sadlle height, you (or your luthier) should/may be able to get the action down to a much more reasonable level. I wouldn't even think about shaving the bridge at this point... there are other, less drastic approaches lowering the aqction while maintaining good break angle...

 

[90NightbirdCU]

I could be wrong in the first fret height, It may be lower. Sounds like I need to take the guitar to my luthier and have him do a setup. Thanks to the forum for your input. I know that once this guitar is set up properly, I will enjoy it even more!