|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
|
Anyone know anything about Zager guitars?
I found this guy yesterday while surfing around. Apparently he modifies guitars and says it makes them easier to play. Much lower action, filed down frets, increased string spacing. Anyone have any experience with these things?
http://www.zagerguitar.com/index.php?event=public.store.guitars.list
__________________
Rick 1984 911 coupe |
||
11-23-2007, 05:03 AM
|
|
|
Sultan of Sawzall
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Louisiana "Take me to 'da bridge"
Posts: 4,806
|
Have not tried his guitars, but any good luthier can do that for you. As for me, I've got a few of my basses set up really low, but generally prefer a little higher action ( I guess I'm just so used to playing double bass)
 . It's all in what feels good to YOU.EDIT: Now that I see you're in DFW, there is a world-class luthier just 2 1/2 hours east of you if you need some nice work done. We used to have another good luthier here (Danny Ferrington), but then he went and got "all famous" and moved to the left coast. If you need contact information, just let me know.
__________________
Gruppe B #319 2 '86 911 Carrera coupes (red & white) '66 Corsa convertible 140/4(red) '66 Monza coupe 110/PG(white) '95 993 cabriolet (wife's) Last edited by rouxroux; 11-23-2007 at 06:44 AM.. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 06:38 AM
|
|
|
Bill is Dead.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Alaska.
Posts: 9,633
|
Somewhat mixed reviews here:
http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/017401-2.html
__________________
-.-. .- ... .... ..-. .-.. -.-- . .-. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 06:59 AM
|
|
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
Cash,
Do you know anyone in the Los Angeles (preferably south Los Angeles) area? I had a really good guy but they tore down the building he was in and I haven't been able to find him again. Ferrington? I have one of those Ferrington acoustic basses, did he design those?
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone  1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 07:05 AM
|
|
|
Sultan of Sawzall
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Louisiana "Take me to 'da bridge"
Posts: 4,806
|
Quote:
__________________
Gruppe B #319 2 '86 911 Carrera coupes (red & white) '66 Corsa convertible 140/4(red) '66 Monza coupe 110/PG(white) '95 993 cabriolet (wife's) |
||
|
11-23-2007, 07:43 AM
|
|
|
Sultan of Sawzall
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Louisiana "Take me to 'da bridge"
Posts: 4,806
|
Quote:
Ferrington is in Pacific Palisades...close enough?
__________________
Gruppe B #319 2 '86 911 Carrera coupes (red & white) '66 Corsa convertible 140/4(red) '66 Monza coupe 110/PG(white) '95 993 cabriolet (wife's) |
||
|
11-23-2007, 07:48 AM
|
|
|
|
Bill is Dead.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Alaska.
Posts: 9,633
|
Quote:
__________________
-.-. .- ... .... ..-. .-.. -.-- . .-. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 08:43 AM
|
|
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
Quote:
DOH! Of course I meant rouxroux.
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 08:49 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Interesting link Cash, I didn't know that those things Zager talks about were generally part of a good "setup". I have an Ovation acoustic that I am playing now (not mine, my brother-in-laws...but he never plays it and lets me keep it) and I was just wondering about the action on the strings. Is this kind of thing something that any decent guitar repair shop can do or should I go to a "master luthier"? I am interested in lowering the action on the acoustic so I can play it for longer without hurting my little piggies. I am getting good calluses, but I still can't practice for more than about 45 minutes without serious dents in my fingertips and soreness for a couple hours. I don't mind it all that much, I just figure it's part of learning, but I think it would be nice to have a guitar that is a little easier to play.
I was looking at maybe buying a Seagull and giving the Ovation back to my B-i-L, and the Seagull does sound nicer than the Ovation, IMHO, but the action seems about the same. Maybe I'm just a wuss...
__________________
Rick 1984 911 coupe |
||
|
11-23-2007, 09:40 AM
|
|
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
Quote:
Lower action is not always a universally good thing, I'm no pro but it can lead to buzzing and such. It is actually a very complex dynamic (the string setup) that I'm not qualified or capable to explain. However I have played a few hundred guitars and basses and I can tell you lower strings doesn't always mean better.
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 09:51 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Nathans Dad... try some lighter strings for now, but most importantly STICK WITH IT... it is not just about Callouses, it is about Strength...
Ive been playing for years, but in the beginning I went through what you are going through.... but now, I dont even have calouses any more, just harder spots on the fingers and a huge stretch, big time strength... I got that way from practicing jazz chords on the acoustic for hours on end... this is the only way to do it...build up your hand strength over time... Its like lifting weights, 75% of guitar playing is purely physical! Chances are that your guitar is set up properly... but switch to a ligher guage set for now, and keep at it...in 1 year you should be adjusted well enough to play any guitar without pain. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 11:41 AM
|
|
|
least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
|
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
__________________
Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
||
|
11-23-2007, 11:54 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 11,239
|
Just keep practicing - everyone goes through this, but eventually you make it to the other side and playing becomes much easier.
It is important that whatever you play is set up right for you - but you can do this through your own selection process or by visiting your local luthier. Keep the 6 string faith...
__________________
David 1972 911T/S MFI Survivor |
||
|
11-23-2007, 03:40 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Oh don't worry guys, I am hooked. I practice about 6 times a week, usually for 30-45 minutes at a time. That's all my fingers will take at this point. I have learned about 14-15 chords by now and can do a passage job at "Free Fallin", "American Pie", "Money" (Beatles version), "Runnin Down a Dream", and I am currently working on "Margaritaville". I alternate practicing my songs with various exercises that my teacher has given me.
I spent about an hour and a half at Guitar Center one night this week just poking around...
__________________
Rick 1984 911 coupe |
||
|
11-23-2007, 04:08 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Here is a link to a thread on Acoustic Guitar Forum about Zager guitars. As has been said, a good luthier can setup any guitar for you, making a noticable difference in action. Seagull S6 are a very good guitar for the $$ as are lower end Takamine, and for a little more money, the Guild GAD line.
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110436&highlight=zager
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule" - Mark Twain |
||
|
11-26-2007, 12:53 PM
|
|
993 Cab
1983 Porsche 911sc Cabriolet 3.0
