Does a neck reset fix the real problem

[lcjones]

Disclaimer: I'm not a luthier. Not even close. After all these years, I'm just now teaching myself basic amateur luthier stuff.

I've installed a BD on the 80 D212 and the 74 D25. While both bellies came down quite a bit, I notice no real tonal change. If anything regarding tone could be said, perhaps the D212 is ever so slightly muted. Both are arched back too.

I can say that the D212 is much easier to play now. Prior to the BD, she was a beast to wrangle with. The action came down just a little bit. And with a neck tweak, she seems to have leveled out and is an acceptable player.

The D25 is another story. No action change at all. No tone change. Still has a bit of belly. But not as much as before the BD. Action is still high. As Jfilm mentioned, the action hasn't come down. And yea, don't over crank! That's a lot of movement for that piece of wood. But importantly, even with the nose dive at the 14th, the fret board up to the body is indeed level with the top of the bridge. Right where it should be. So now, I'm looking as the saddle. The original saddle was always very low. Low like the photo of the D212 saddle. But its way high now. So, I'm going to pull the saddle and drop it down to see what happens.

The BD for 76 F212 will be a while as I have other things to do to her.

Pictures say lots of things .....

Chap

 

[wileypickett]

On the one that sounds muted with the Bridge Doctor, try tightening or loosening the dowel adjustment screw. On the ones I've installed (several) I've noticed that a little adjustment can sometimes make a difference. I've also noticed that the sound of the guitar seems to get better once it's had some playing time put on it. The BD seems to need to settle in.

Another thing I recommend: When you first put the BD in, the dowel will butt up against the end block somewhat high due to the angle of the bridge relative to the bellied top. As you tighten the dowel it will stay anchored to that initial spot. After the BD has been in for a couple weeks, loosen the dowel (not too loose, just enough to move it) and pull the dowel down, so that it's parallel to the top. This will help the BD's functionality and may help the sound.

Use the end-pin hole as a reference for positioning the dowel.

 

[lcjones]

Hey Wiley,

I'll take your advice. Both the D25 and D212 have end pin jacks. The jacks have kind of forced me offset BD dowel little bit. I'll give them another week or so to acclimate before I do any more turning of anything. In the meantime, a new D40BG has been acquired and she's been occupying my hands!

Chap