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  • Saddle and basic setup

    Posted by Alfred on May 27, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    I have a hankering to learn classical guitar so I got a goodwill auction Yamaha CG-110SA for a little more than $50

    It came with a chopstick as a saddle, so I order some bone saddle blanks from amazon, and with some sandpaper and files cut, shaped and setup the saddle.

    The guitar now is playable and sounds good. It still needs some work, but I am going to let it acclimatize to it’s new home for a month before I do more. I am going to level and re-crown the frets next. If you take it slow, reach out for advice when you need it and read info that is free on the interwebs, it isn’t that scary to do this stuff….. on a cheaply purchased goodwill guitar anyway. And it is kind of fun too!

    Moral of the story… buy a cheap guitar and try to fix it. learn some good skills in the process.

    Alfred replied 3 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Loraine

    Member
    May 27, 2021 at 8:38 pm

    You’re so much braver than I am @alfred. I’m to afraid to do anything more than change the strings, and even that stresses me out. Great job!

    • Alfred

      Member
      May 28, 2021 at 7:17 am

      I wouldn’t have had the courage to try the same on my Taylor or Orangewood guitars. But one I bought for $50 ish dollars… why not give it a go?

      A couple of the youtube luthiers I watch have mentioned getting cheap harmony archtops to learn the repair craft on because they aren’t particularly valuable.

      • This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by  Alfred.
  • Crabby

    Member
    May 28, 2021 at 8:41 am

    I love tinkering with things and using my hands but I am with you. I wouldn’t want to screw up an expensive guitar.

    @Alfred did you use a fretting file or just careful use with a small reeular file?

    • Alfred

      Member
      May 28, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      I haven’t done the level and re-crown yet, but my plan is to get a crowning file, and make a long sanding block with either a planed piece of wood or a chunk of square tubing. I have some jeweler files that I will redress the fret ends with

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