Special Deluxe Setup from the Factory

[astutzmann]

Hi:

My new Special Deluxe is awesome, but I am struggling with it a bit, more like stumbling over the strings. Now it has a wide C neck and SS frets, but the real issue I see is that the setup action is very high, at least compared to my other guitars.

The low E String is 3 mm above the fretboard at fret 1 and 4 mm at fret 14 and it appears to be 50% higher than my legacy.

THat means that the nut is cut high and the setup is high. Is this normal from the factory (maybe for a special?)? I would had to have to take it in for a setup being brand new, but maybe I'll do that in a bit.

Feels weird, but its probably me because I am used to low action.

Thoughts?

Thx in advance,

Alf

[sirmyghin]

What is the neck relief? Sounds like the nut might be a bit high, but the saddles may also be. Check the neck for back bow in particular in this case. The neck is going to be shifting during shipping, not much you can do about it.

[desertrat07]

Alf,

My Special Deluxe measures 2mm on the low E from the fretboard on the 1st fret and 4 mm at the 14th fret. Sounds like the nut may be cut too high, but the setup may be right on if you get that addressed. Mine plays like butter, although I like the action meduim-high. Really doesn't sound like the neck relief is the issue, unless is is REALLY off.

-Adam

[Craig]

Hi:

My new Special Deluxe is awesome, but I am struggling with it a bit, more like stumbling over the strings. Now it has a wide C neck and SS frets, but the real issue I see is that the setup action is very high, at least compared to my other guitars.

The low E String is 3 mm above the fretboard at fret 1 and 4 mm at fret 14 and it appears to be 50% higher than my legacy.

THat means that the nut is cut high and the setup is high. Is this normal from the factory (maybe for a special?)? I would had to have to take it in for a setup being brand new, but maybe I'll do that in a bit.

Feels weird, but its probably me because I am used to low action.

Thoughts?

Thx in advance,

Alf

Hi Alf,

Check to see if your neck is seated fully into the neck pocket. It can shift during shipping.
Follow this post: String alignment issues and a simple cure. It's a good starting point.

When I get back from my vacation (June 6th), I will contact John to get the current setup
details for instruments which have the Saddle-Lock bridge.

Stay tuned.

[Craig]

The neck is going to be shifting during shipping, not much you can do about it.

I disagree that necks alway shift during shipping, but when they do, there is an easy method to reseat them.
See my response to Alf above.

Hope this helps.

[sirmyghin]

The neck is going to be shifting during shipping, not much you can do about it.

I disagree that necks alway shift during shipping, but when they do, there is an easy method to reseat them.
See my response to Alf above.

Hope this helps.

I meant shift as in the amount of relief, not necessarily in the pocket, however all it takes is a slight jar and that happens too.

[astutzmann]

Hi Everyone:

Thanks, I'll check the neck etc.

thanks for all the replies!

[astutzmann]

HI:

I reseated the neck like Craig suggested in the other post.

It didn't make a difference as the neck pocket is really tight and solid.

I have a couple of issues, first and foremost the action height being high. I can live with that and its probably good for me to learn to play that way.

The other problem I notice is (by the way, I changed the strings), the high e is closer to the edge of the fretboard than the low e, like its outta wack. The low e string goes directly over the magnets in the pups and seems to be perfectly alligned.

The high e string and b strings are not over the magnet, in fact they are almost wide of the magnet making them closer to the edge of the fretboard. Weird the strings are sitting perfect in the saddle bridge.

Any thoughts? I may have to change the strings again just to be sure I didnt do something, but other than that I think I have to take it to my luthier for a setup.

THx,

[sirmyghin]

You might have to be more invasive in reseating the neck than just loosening it slightly, or you may have not loosened enough. If you are not comfortable doing a full setup, you will likely have to take it to a dealer, however I see you are in Niagara, I might be able to help you out if you were interested (permitting you don't mind help from someone likely younger than you). Albeit I can't say I would be the most comfortable taking the neck off someone elses guitar, I reserve that for my own. I am over in Hamilton, by the way.

[astutzmann]

way cool. I would appreciate another look to see if its me. I'll be up in oakville tuesday morning, are you around then?

[astutzmann]

Hi:

I finally had some time today to have a good look at the Special Deluxe. Here's some photos of the process:

http://gallery.me.com/astutzmann#100332

If you look at the first picture, you will see that there is less room on the high e side of the fretboard, than the low e and the strings do not line up over the poles in the pups.

Thanks to all of those with new asat specials, I looked at your pics and everything seems to be aligned fine.

I took off the strings, took off the back plate, took off the neck and put it all back together again making sure the neck pocket fits tight and is aligned. next I made sure the bridge was on tight (my problem looks like the bridge may be out?????) By the way, one of my neck screws seems to be striped.

Anyway, you can see, once its all back together, everything tight, same issue.

I'm not even worried about the height of the action right now, this alignment issue has me bugged.

Any thoughts?

My next may be the luthier route.

Thanks,

Alf

[Craig]

Hi:

I finally had some time today to have a good look at the Special Deluxe. Here's some photos of the process:

http://gallery.me.com/astutzmann#100332

If you look at the first picture, you will see that there is less room on the high e side of the fretboard, than the low e and the strings do not line up over the poles in the pups.

Thanks to all of those with new asat specials, I looked at your pics and everything seems to be aligned fine.

I took off the strings, took off the back plate, took off the neck and put it all back together again making sure the neck pocket fits tight and is aligned. next I made sure the bridge was on tight (my problem looks like the bridge may be out?????) By the way, one of my neck screws seems to be striped.

Anyway, you can see, once its all back together, everything tight, same issue.

I'm not even worried about the height of the action right now, this alignment issue has me bugged.

Any thoughts?

My next may be the luthier route.

Thanks,

Alf

I think you should take it back to your dealer and have it handled under the warranty.
The stripped neck screw could cause the alignment problem when the strings are under full tension.

Hope this helps.

[astutzmann]

HI Craig:

Thanks very much.

Do you know if I can take it to any dealer? It was purchased from a dealer who is 8 hours drive away and across the border. I properly imported it into canada and paid the duty and taxes, so I would love to be able to take it to a canadian dealer for help.

Pls advise,

THx,

Alf

[Craig]

HI Craig:

Thanks very much.

Do you know if I can take it to any dealer? It was purchased from a dealer who is 8 hours drive away and across the border. I properly imported it into canada and paid the duty and taxes, so I would love to be able to take it to a canadian dealer for help.

Pls advise,

THx,

Alf

I would suggest calling the local dealer and see if they will help. I would think they would but it's always best to check first. If they are not able to help you, check with the G&L repair contact for advice on how to proceed.

Hope this helps.

[astutzmann]

Hi Craig:

You're the best, thanks!

[Craig]

When I get back from my vacation (June 6th), I will contact John to get the current setup
details for instruments which have the Saddle-Lock bridge.

Stay tuned.

I have added this post: Current Factory setup for G&L guitars with hardtail bridges to the Knowledgebase, G&L Tech Tips sub-forum.

Hope it helps.

[astutzmann]

Status Update on my ASAT Special Deluxe.

I know I should have probably sent it back for warranty work. But, its such a great guitar that I thought I would take it to my luthier and let him have a look.

My luthier had it for the last month, what he determined was that the neck pocket was not routed correctly, causing the neck alignment and thus the string alignment issue. He rerouted the neck pocket, filled the screw holes in the neck (thereby resolving the one striped screw hole) and drilled new ones. Then he did a complete setup with the neck in its new pocket.

The guitar is now perfectly aligned, nice action, I cannot even see nor feel where the original problem was. I love it, sounds amazing, feels great.

So, all in all, a $125 repair with a setup, not bad.

Not sure why there was a neck pocket routing error, because its lefty maybe? Who knows, just very very happy that its fixed and very very happy with my new guitar.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

[darwinohm]

Af, at least it is resolved to your satisfaction and you will now be very happy with the guitar. It may be worthwhile asking G&L for help with the repair cost. It doesn't hurt to ask.-- Darwin

[sirmyghin]

Glad you got it worked out, shame that you got a dud neck pocket though, that is a pretty serious error that I am surprised was not noticed. Someone must of forgot their coffee that day.

[astutzmann]

Thanks and thanks Darwin, but it was my decision not to take it back for warranty work, like Craig suggested. I don't mind the money, especially since its resolved.

[Craig]

I am glad to hear it worked out for you.

I would be interested in knowing what the rout depth was before the luthier
modified it and what depth he changed it to. Did he check with the G&L factory
to get the factory specs for it? Did he change the nut slot depths? Please PM or email me
with these details and any other changes he made to fix it. I'd like to follow up with
the folks at the factory on this.

Thanks.