At a recent jam one of the players with his 60's Gibson hummingbird was capoed at the first fret. His reason "shes gettin old" . The guitar is in beautiful (9.5) condition, action is very good and he's got a nice light touch, id let him play my guitar any day.
I nodded and told him an option would be to go to extra light strings (currently uses lights).
I dont think his actions are necessary but would appreciate any thoughts on this. I plan to go to the string load tables and put some figures together ie load with med, light and xtra light as well as what a semitone drop does.
Im going to put my inspection mirror in my case for our next jam and see if i can check the braces.
Any other thoughts?
50 year old hummingbird worries
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Mark Swanson
- Posts: 1991
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- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
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Re: 50 year old hummingbird worries
More info is needed. Why does he use the capo? Is the action at the nut too high? Is there too much relief in the neck? Does the top belly up with string tension? An early 60's Gibson will be completely different than a late 60's Gibson inside. Is the shape a slope-shouldered one, or a regular dreadnaught? If it's as old as you say it should be a slope.
- Mark Swanson, guitarist, MIMForum Staff
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Len McIntosh
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:51 am
Re: 50 year old hummingbird worries
He uses the capo purly as an act of kindness, tension relief. This is a recent move on his part. I played it a few months ago, tuned concert pitch and action etc. was fine.
Its a square shoulder model and its late sixties (i think). I will also look closer at the soundboard for flatness. He has no problems but Someone has told him this will extend its life.
I guess this relates to another question re storage, does "slacking" the strings hurt or harm during storage.
The extended period without tension may upset the balance established at setup?
I once read that a steel string guitar without a tail piece has a "life expectancy" about equal to the player (70-100) years due to the constant tension. The oldest steel string guitars are about 90 years old so the next decades will tell us whether this is true or not.
Its a square shoulder model and its late sixties (i think). I will also look closer at the soundboard for flatness. He has no problems but Someone has told him this will extend its life.
I guess this relates to another question re storage, does "slacking" the strings hurt or harm during storage.
The extended period without tension may upset the balance established at setup?
I once read that a steel string guitar without a tail piece has a "life expectancy" about equal to the player (70-100) years due to the constant tension. The oldest steel string guitars are about 90 years old so the next decades will tell us whether this is true or not.
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Michael Lewis
- Posts: 1475
- Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:22 am
- Location: Northern California USA
- Contact:
Re: 50 year old hummingbird worries
Slacking the strings during storage is fine, certainly better than leaving tension on them. Tell him to play it, it's for making music!