New guy with GAD25

[sledge57]

Hi, I traded my Strat (MIM) for a GAD25, small amp and a Fishman Rare Earth pup a while back.

While I love the Guild the thing is almost unplayable.

The guy I got it from took it to GC and it re-strung, with what looks to be bridge cables :mrgreen:

I mic'd the strings and the Hi E was .015 and the Low E was .058.

I restrung the guitar with Dean Markley Blue Steel lights (.011 - .046)

Needless to say this helped but the neck and action are a bit out of wack as you might imagine.

I haven't done anything to correct it yet as I want to see how much the neck relaxes after a bit of time with the lighter strings.

With the "bridge cables" the neck had too much relief and the action was way high.

I've never setup an acoustic guitar before. When i had the strings off I felt around inside and couldn't feel any truss rod adjustment (this guitar has no TRC at the HS) however included in the case is an allen wrench, which I assume is for the truss rod (I found it after I re-strung it).

Questions:
(1) Does a GAD25 have an adjustable truss rod and is it an allen bolt in the sound hole?
(2) How long should I let the guitar sit with the new strings before I attempt to set it up?
(3) I assume new bridge saddles are available for the guitar in case I mess it up, however I can't find parts on Guilds site, who would sell these?

I'm sure I'll have more questions soon, looking forward to getting the guitar setup, I love the sound of an all Mahogany guitar, my last acoustic was a Martin DR3 which was a great playing guitar but it didn't have the sweet tone this Guild has.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for any help or advise.

Doug

 

[jazzmang]

1) Yes. Its in the soundhole.
2) It should only take a short amount of time. Maybe give it an hour to be extra sure?
3) Saddles should be custom cut by a luthier. Bob Colosi makes some nice ones, but they still usually need to be trimmed to size properly. (I'm not sure of Bob's specifically, but most do)

Its actually pretty straightforward to set it up properly, assuming you don't need a new saddle or nut made. Ya need a 24" straightedge (ideally), a good pair of eyes, the allen tool, and some patience to set it up right.

 

[Tunes]

Looks like jazz anwered all your questions - so I'll just say welcome aboard. Welcome aboard.

 

[chazmo]

Welcome aboard, Doug.

My best advice to you is find a luthier / tech who you can trust and spend some time with him/her and your axe. An axe which is uncomfortable to play isn't worth a dime.

 

[JerryR]

Hi Doug - good luck with your setting up

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

After buying and selling about a dozen guitars over the past few years, I have came to only one conclusion.
Most, if not all guitars that I have bought have needed a set up.
Some only needed a small tweek and othere a new saddle and a neck adjustment.
Some even needed to have the frets crowned and polished.

In the end, all of these guitars became very playable for me, once the set up was done.

Even a couple of new guitars that came, "set up", needed to be tweeked for me and my climate.

Moral:
Don't be too disappointed with a guitar, just because it isn't easy to play when you first get it.
Get it to a good Tech or Luthier and have it set up for YOU!

 

[Graham]

Moral:
Don't be too disappointed with a guitar, just because it isn't easy to play when you first get it.
Get it to a good Tech or Luthier and have it set up for YOU!

+1

A good luthier can do wonders with a guitar, no question.

Where are you located Sledge? We have "people" all over the place, maybe someone has a recommend.

 

[Tunes]

+2 on the luthier.

When my "new" D55 came to me a few weeks back it was almost unplayable. Some drastic fret dressing, pulling an unneeded bridge shim out, new strings and bridge pins and voila - this thing SINGS and is a pleasure to play.

 

[adorshki]

Hi Sledge Welcome Aboard! I got all 3 of mine new and they were all about 1/64th high at 12th fret compared to the factory specs- there's a set-up guide on Guild's website. I have a heavy hand so in my case that was ok, and it's always easier to shave a little height at the saddle and nut (not-recommended for first-timers)than to put it back on . Agree with everyone who says "get a set-up". The guy who just did my frets says most of his customers like a little lower than spec. In any case, you can show a luthier the specs if he wants 'em for reference.
For sure take the advice of these folks on refs for a luthier, let us know where you are!
Al

 

[cjd-player]

Welcome, Sledge.

As Graham said, tell us where you are and someone can point you to some help.

 

[sledge57]

Thanks, I'm in the Detroit area and I have a guy that setup my electrics before.

I can do the minor stuff now and want to to a stab at the GAD.

If it looks like it needs fret work or more off it goes to the tech.

Just worried about the effect of the heavy strings on the neck and I didn't feel a screw in the neck for the truss rod I assume there's a hole in the wood block the allen wrench needs to go through.

I read some where here about a mirror with a light, that's what I need so I can peek inside.

Family Pics:
.......GAD 25.....................Wildkat..................MIM Tele...........Sheraton II......

 

[cjd-player]

Those Epi Sheraton II's are nice guitars.

I used to have one before I got my Bluesbird(s).

 

[taabru45]

Nice family, I have a blond Sheriton too. It now has a couple of old Gibson Humbuckers on it which pretty much makes it a mislabeled 335. Nice! and a way cheaper way to go. Steffan.......you're gonna end up loving your Guild... :wink: