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The concept of mimicking string tension with two six lb weights on the upper bout has been extremely valuable to me not only in neck resets but new builds as well. Six string instrument.

What would be the appropriate weight for a 12 string?

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Find out the difference in overall tension difference between your six and 12 string sets, express it as a %, and add the extra % in weight. For example, I know the 12 string sets I use carry 60% more string tension than the six string sets, so I would add 60% of 12lbs to the 12 lbs…that’s what I do when deflection testing 12 string tops, anyway. Perhaps the technique would carry over.

I use the same set up . The 12 string neck is wider and stronger
so as a tool to get you close the weight still works.
remember that the secret is the the truss rod adjustment the weight leverage helps you see that
neck curvature . The weight is just to get you close and to level the neck and frets under tension

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I’m not familiar with this approach with the weights, would you mind to elaborate?

- Put a 6 lb weight on each shoulder of the upper bout?

- Is this used when doing initial leveling of the fretboard as well?

- Truss rod adjusted to bring the board back to as close to flat as possible before leveling?

- Supporting only the headstock end I presume, no support of the neck?

Brad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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I’ve used it mainly for optimization of the neck angle and extension drop off under tension on resets and new builds. With experience it has been very valuable. Also neck relief and truss rod function.

Do you routinely do your final fret leveling with the technique after getting the neck flat under tension with the truss rod John? I messed around with that a little but it was difficult for me to know how much to support the neck with one hand while pushing down on the leveling bar while sanding.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I used to use this method for neck evaluation/fret leveling and liked it quite a bit. I've since switched to the StewMac understring levelers and like it much better. Instead of mimicking string tension you use the actual string tension- It has helped especially with tapering the relief from the high strings to the low. I'll level the B and E at full pitch and then drop the tuning as I move to the lower strings. It has reliably left me with tapered relief across the board.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

when dealing with a new fret job the level process with the weights is more efficient. The under string leveler is nice when strung up

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Is there a "tutorial" for this method, I'm unfamiliar as well.

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Measure Twice,

Karl Borum

will be shooting a video on this subject shortly

the weight process is mandatory when doing compression fretting

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it