Luthier 911

[MrJones]

Greetings:

I have a new Larrivee L-03R which I am enjoying quite a bit.  I noticed when I received the guitar that the saddle was pretty low and the string break angle pretty low as well.  Just to make matters worse I like a rather low action so I lowered the saddle a little bit.  When I restrung the guitar and tuned it up, I was amazed at a rather nasal sounding B string.  I noticed a really low string break angle and so I tried to bend the string a bit around the saddle by using a metal piece, and boy did that clean up the sound.  I think you're hoping I get to the point.  My question is: is this a problem anyone else has seen (low string break angle/nasally sound) and have you fixed it?  I read that a 45 degree string break angle makes the best sound and I must be more like 30 degrees (to the eye).  I heard slotting the bridge would help this, for example.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,


Another Happy L-03R Owner

[jeremy3220]

Sounds like it has a bad neck angle and needs a reset. you may need to send it off to Larrivee for warranty repairs or return it. Or live with it. Ramps may help, but the neck angle will still be off.

[prof_stack]

Sounds like it has a bad neck angle and needs a reset. you may need to send it off to Larrivee for warranty repairs or return it. Or live with it. Ramps may help, but the neck angle will still be off.

+1

I'd have the shop look at it and determine what's what.  Break angle is important.  How does the angle compare to this (my former JV-05E)?

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[Ratishna]

A good shop can ramp the break angle for you, but at some point you need to have the neck reset.

E. Shoaf

[ronmac]

Proper setup requires that all of the factors necessary are taken into consideration before ponouncing judgement.

A competent repair person will check the following:

1) A quick check for any structural irregularities (cracks, loose braces, sunken top, worn bridge plate, etc.)
2) Neck angle
3) String guage used
4) Nut and saddle condition and height
5) Bridge slot depth
6) Break angle
7) Player's style of play and attack/requirements

A problem in any one of these areas will cause playability problems. Doing a neck reset because the nut slots were cut too deep would be a fool's errand.

[jimmyd]

Larrivee turns out some guitars with a shallow neck angle. Sounds like this one is really off but its best to let a tech at your dealer look at it to verify.  If you run a long straight edge down the neck it should ideally land right on the top of the bridge.  If it hits well below the bridge you need a neck reset. Ramping can help with the symptoms but won't cure the cause. I'd send it back and ask for a replacement or a proper repair which means a neck reset and not shaving the bridge. I'd measure the height of the bridge before sending it back and ask for details of exactly what will be done if you are pushed into a repair rather than a replacement. The good news is that Larrivee takes customer service seriously. It's pretty rare to hear of someone that is dissatisfied with their support after the sale.