PittPastor
Member
If anyone remembers, my #1 Guild is a Westerly D40C. It has a very low saddle height, and my belief is that it came that way from the factory. (I was a 20-something who knew nothing about guitars when I bought it.) So, for 30-some years, my Guild has had crazy low action, and a more mellow sound than it should have had.
Basically, the place where a lot of guitars get after 40 years, and several saddle shavings, is where mine started -- but the good news is it somehow hung on, and has never had any saddle/neck work done.
I'm thinking of investing in the D40C and bringing it back to the original design. This will certainly mean a neck reset. I'll also need a new saddle. I'm thinking of having the saddle replaced with bone. I can also have the nut replaced with bone -- but I'm wondering if the difference in tone is really worth it?
The Guild also suffered a horrific accident when it was caught between two large dogs who were wrestling and it got thrown about 6 feet where it split along the side. It was repaired about 15 years ago. Stuart says it was not cleated (which made him frown) but was heavily super-glued. And the repair has held for over a decade. Other than that it is in good shape, with some nicks and dents and some areas it could probably use some nitrocellulose filler.
Last year, I had a Fishman Matrix Under the Saddle pickup installed. I hated the sound I got from it, but when I finally broke down and got the Fishman Aura, at least the sound I get now is one I like -- even if it doesn't exactly sound like "My Guild only louder" which was my original goal.
So, the questions are -- if this were you --
1) Neck reset: Local Luthier or Guild Specialist?
I live near Stuart Day of Stuart Day Guitars (http://www.stuartdayguitars.com). The guy knows his guitars. And he has a pretty strong reputation for worksmanship -- especially in archtops. But, Guilds are kind of notorious for being problem children when it comes to a neck reset. Would you go with the local luthier you knew? Or would you reach out to a certified Guild repair shop? (And if so, which one?)
2) Replacing the saddle with bone seems like a natural decision. I've read the tone difference is dramatic. Is it? Is it worth the cost? Or does it take a really refined ear to pick up the difference?
3) Same question about the nut. Should it be bone as well?
4) What other reasonable things can be done while we are at it? What would you do if it were your number 1?
TIA!
Basically, the place where a lot of guitars get after 40 years, and several saddle shavings, is where mine started -- but the good news is it somehow hung on, and has never had any saddle/neck work done.
I'm thinking of investing in the D40C and bringing it back to the original design. This will certainly mean a neck reset. I'll also need a new saddle. I'm thinking of having the saddle replaced with bone. I can also have the nut replaced with bone -- but I'm wondering if the difference in tone is really worth it?
The Guild also suffered a horrific accident when it was caught between two large dogs who were wrestling and it got thrown about 6 feet where it split along the side. It was repaired about 15 years ago. Stuart says it was not cleated (which made him frown) but was heavily super-glued. And the repair has held for over a decade. Other than that it is in good shape, with some nicks and dents and some areas it could probably use some nitrocellulose filler.
Last year, I had a Fishman Matrix Under the Saddle pickup installed. I hated the sound I got from it, but when I finally broke down and got the Fishman Aura, at least the sound I get now is one I like -- even if it doesn't exactly sound like "My Guild only louder" which was my original goal.
So, the questions are -- if this were you --
1) Neck reset: Local Luthier or Guild Specialist?
I live near Stuart Day of Stuart Day Guitars (http://www.stuartdayguitars.com). The guy knows his guitars. And he has a pretty strong reputation for worksmanship -- especially in archtops. But, Guilds are kind of notorious for being problem children when it comes to a neck reset. Would you go with the local luthier you knew? Or would you reach out to a certified Guild repair shop? (And if so, which one?)
2) Replacing the saddle with bone seems like a natural decision. I've read the tone difference is dramatic. Is it? Is it worth the cost? Or does it take a really refined ear to pick up the difference?
3) Same question about the nut. Should it be bone as well?
4) What other reasonable things can be done while we are at it? What would you do if it were your number 1?
TIA!