40 cm (16 inches) hairline crack in the finish

[geert1957]

Hello,
Geert here from the Netherlands.
I am very happy with my beautiful sounding L32C Avalon guitar which I bought directly from you last spring.
But I have two (minor?) problems.
Recently I noticed a hairline crack in the top soundboard, starting at the height of the strap pin and ending at where I rest my right arm.
It follows that borderline striping for some 40 centimetres.
Second problem is the nut height.
During a workshop with Jacques Stotzem in Belgium some weeks ago, Jacques told me that the nut is too high, and that's the reason that playing (especially barre chords) on this guitar makes my left hand tired and I get cramps.
I already noticed that playing on my other guitars took less effort.
My questions : is that crack a reason for worrying, and how can I lower the strings a little at the nut?
And a last question : what are those little strips under the saddle, and can I remove them (for a lower action) without affecting the sound?
Yes, I know, lots of questions, but I love this Avalon and just want these problems solved.
Bye, Geert.

[JB]

Hi Geert,

If your guitar has been subject to any humidity issues the wood will move sometimes causing the lacquer to crack, I can advise further if you send me some photos via email, clear macros would help.

The height at the nut can be lowered by carefully filing the nut slots, this is best done by a luthier or experienced guitar tech, the correct angle must be maintained for accurate tuning and sound.

The 'shims' can be removed to lower action at the saddle, that's the reason they're there

Cheers
Jim

[geert1957]

Hello Jim,
Thanks for your fast reply.
I will remove the shims from under the saddle, and will bring my Avalon to a luthier for adjusting/lowering the nut height.
Photo's of the crack are sent to your email address (don't know how to sent them via this forum/mail).
Hope to hear from you soon.
Greetings,
Geert.[/list]

[geert1957]

Hi Jim,

Today a luthier has lowered the nut from my L32C, and playing barres in the lower positions is now a delight.

One question about those shims.
Are we speaking about the same shims? I wanted to remove those shims (thin metal strips under the saddle), but when i wanted to pull them out i saw they are connected to thin wires which are connected to the inside electronics of my Avalon.
And even if we are talking about the same shims, how will disconnecting them from those wires affect the sound when playing amplified?
And what to do with those wires? Tape them?

Hope to hear from you soon, as I now have the strings removed and waiting for that "shim" answer.

Best wishes from the Netherlands,
Geert.

[JB]

whoa ... noo ... don't be cutting those wires, those are not shims, those are the transducers for your pickup system.

Shims are sometimes under the saddles but they are made from rosewood and easily removed.

I reckon you don't have shims, they've been removed when the pickup was fitted.
To lower the action you will have to have the saddle height reduced instead.

Put it all back together and step away from the guitar !

[geert1957]

Haha, I certainly will put everything back together.
But I will not step back from this beauty.

I already thought these were not the shims we talked about earlier, therefore I did not cut the wires......don't worry dear Jim.
Reducing the saddle height a little bit will be enough.

Thanks for your fast reply.
I look forward meeting you and your crew next year!

Best wishes from the Netherlands,
Geert.