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Cynthia Lo
I want to get an acoustic guitar for my boyfriend for our one year anniversary and I was wondering if I could engrave something into it?? And if so where can I do it?
Answer
In order:
1) don't do it cuz damage to the guitar is possible.
2) if you must do it, back of the HEADSTOCK not back of the neck
3) make sure a professional luthier does it. He will tell you NOT to do it!
4) try this instead: get a custom made trussrod cover and engrave that. You can get a brass one or a 14k gold one and take it anywhere to get it engraved. then just swap out the old cover for the new one
These guys will make a custom inlaid pearl trussrod cover... cool!
http://www.luthiersupply.com/pearltrussrodcoverpage.html
5) maybe get him a box of custom guitar picks with his name on them instead. Easier, cheaper, less prone to damaging an instrument
6) maybe a custom guitar strap
7) Also... guitars are like shoes. They have to fit. Its a very personal choice in sound and playability. Don't just surprise him, find out what guitar he likes. A good guitar is NOT cheap. If your budget is less than $400 just don't do it at all. That would be the price of a few very select entry level acoustic guitars that aren't total junk. Generally you really dont start talking about decent acoustic guitars till you are in the neighborhood of $1000 for a killer deal on a new one, or $400-500 for a used one that used to be $1000 new.
One exception to the prices above: Luna guitars are very cost effective and nice. They are the $400 exception I was talking about.
In order:
1) don't do it cuz damage to the guitar is possible.
2) if you must do it, back of the HEADSTOCK not back of the neck
3) make sure a professional luthier does it. He will tell you NOT to do it!
4) try this instead: get a custom made trussrod cover and engrave that. You can get a brass one or a 14k gold one and take it anywhere to get it engraved. then just swap out the old cover for the new one
These guys will make a custom inlaid pearl trussrod cover... cool!
http://www.luthiersupply.com/pearltrussrodcoverpage.html
5) maybe get him a box of custom guitar picks with his name on them instead. Easier, cheaper, less prone to damaging an instrument
6) maybe a custom guitar strap
7) Also... guitars are like shoes. They have to fit. Its a very personal choice in sound and playability. Don't just surprise him, find out what guitar he likes. A good guitar is NOT cheap. If your budget is less than $400 just don't do it at all. That would be the price of a few very select entry level acoustic guitars that aren't total junk. Generally you really dont start talking about decent acoustic guitars till you are in the neighborhood of $1000 for a killer deal on a new one, or $400-500 for a used one that used to be $1000 new.
One exception to the prices above: Luna guitars are very cost effective and nice. They are the $400 exception I was talking about.
Is nut height an action factor on acoustic guitar?
Digital Ag
I bought for peanuts a 12-string acoustic guitar that needs some work...glue a nut back on for example.....I think I did that once for a classical guitar and it wasn't difficult...is it? What's the best glue to use?
Answer
Action height is very dependent on the string height off the first fret. This is adjusted by cutting the slots to the correct depth on the nut. It should be done by a professional luthier.
Do not use epoxy. It is common to have to replace/adjust the nut. If you epoxy it there may be damage to neck/fingerboard getting it back out. Use Elmer's Titebond or a similar glue. Do not use much.
At a guess, I would say the nut is probably cut correctly now. To check it. String the guitar (putting the nut in but not gluing it yet), tune it up, and try it. If you don't get fret buzz and it's not too difficult pushing the strings down to the first fret, you should be OK. Loosen the strings up (a lot - this might get a little messy) slide the nut out, coat the inside of the nut slot with Titebond, and put the nut back. Try not to slide it back in, if you can so as not to push the glue out. You might try it first dry to see if you can do it (see if the strings are loose enough).
Hint: I always down tune my twelve string acoustics one note (D instead of E) to make them easier to play and relieve a bit of that pressure on the neck. It is very common for twelve string necks to warp.
Action height is very dependent on the string height off the first fret. This is adjusted by cutting the slots to the correct depth on the nut. It should be done by a professional luthier.
Do not use epoxy. It is common to have to replace/adjust the nut. If you epoxy it there may be damage to neck/fingerboard getting it back out. Use Elmer's Titebond or a similar glue. Do not use much.
At a guess, I would say the nut is probably cut correctly now. To check it. String the guitar (putting the nut in but not gluing it yet), tune it up, and try it. If you don't get fret buzz and it's not too difficult pushing the strings down to the first fret, you should be OK. Loosen the strings up (a lot - this might get a little messy) slide the nut out, coat the inside of the nut slot with Titebond, and put the nut back. Try not to slide it back in, if you can so as not to push the glue out. You might try it first dry to see if you can do it (see if the strings are loose enough).
Hint: I always down tune my twelve string acoustics one note (D instead of E) to make them easier to play and relieve a bit of that pressure on the neck. It is very common for twelve string necks to warp.
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Title Post: Can I engrave something into an acoustic guitar?
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