araT
January 31st, 2009, 03:55 AM
I came home to a new guitar on Friday!
Firstly, a little bit of a back story.. Michael is an old family friend, and I've learned so much from him about guitars, he was the one who really got me into guitar, and got me the job in the guitar store while I was in highschool all those years ago.. He's a lovely guy, a real big brother to me.
On new year's day mum broke her right wrist, to the point that it almost needed surgery.. She had been pretty alright, but there are still a lot of things she can't do one-handed, so I've been pulling a lot of weight around the house. I also have a lot on my plate as I'm arranging our move to Canada, and I'm also currently contemplating a move to another apartment in Sydney (because Canada will still be a year or two away), and work has been particularly hectic this month.
So, as usual Michael & I are discussing our latest aqquisitions and he tells me about what he's selling, and he mentions he has an '82 Aria LW-12T Dreadnought 12 string that he bought new 27 years ago and has barely played in the last 20 years, and he'll sell me for $150 AUD, a real steal.. I mention I'd like to see it some time if he can bring it over..
He came around on Friday before I was home from work & mum must have talked to him about the guitar, because when I got home she'd bought it for me! He said that if I didn't like it, no worries, but if I wanted it it was mine & mum had already taken care of it.
I was absolutely overjoyed! I know it's not anything super special, but it's a culmination of owning my mentor & close friend's guitar, and mum buying it for me as a suprise really makes my heart swell. It wont be one of my MOST played as I'm predominantly an electric player, but I will NEVER sell it.
Now for some questions, The action on it was a bit killer - I've filed down the bridge & tightened the truss rod about a 1/2 to 2/3 turn last night. It has settled in overnight but it is still at about 3mm at the 12th fret with nothing fretted, the neck looks straight to me now (using the string as a straightedge fretted at the 1st & 14th frets) and the bridge is as low as I think it can go, and yet the action is still killer anywhere above the 5th fret - any tips?
Here are some pics:
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01582.jpg
Front
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01584.jpg
Body
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01588.jpg
Back
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01585.jpg
Headstock
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01587.jpg
Soundhole
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/MyArias.jpg
Both Arias together (The classical is an A553 from the late 60s / early 70s)
Firstly, a little bit of a back story.. Michael is an old family friend, and I've learned so much from him about guitars, he was the one who really got me into guitar, and got me the job in the guitar store while I was in highschool all those years ago.. He's a lovely guy, a real big brother to me.
On new year's day mum broke her right wrist, to the point that it almost needed surgery.. She had been pretty alright, but there are still a lot of things she can't do one-handed, so I've been pulling a lot of weight around the house. I also have a lot on my plate as I'm arranging our move to Canada, and I'm also currently contemplating a move to another apartment in Sydney (because Canada will still be a year or two away), and work has been particularly hectic this month.
So, as usual Michael & I are discussing our latest aqquisitions and he tells me about what he's selling, and he mentions he has an '82 Aria LW-12T Dreadnought 12 string that he bought new 27 years ago and has barely played in the last 20 years, and he'll sell me for $150 AUD, a real steal.. I mention I'd like to see it some time if he can bring it over..
He came around on Friday before I was home from work & mum must have talked to him about the guitar, because when I got home she'd bought it for me! He said that if I didn't like it, no worries, but if I wanted it it was mine & mum had already taken care of it.
I was absolutely overjoyed! I know it's not anything super special, but it's a culmination of owning my mentor & close friend's guitar, and mum buying it for me as a suprise really makes my heart swell. It wont be one of my MOST played as I'm predominantly an electric player, but I will NEVER sell it.
Now for some questions, The action on it was a bit killer - I've filed down the bridge & tightened the truss rod about a 1/2 to 2/3 turn last night. It has settled in overnight but it is still at about 3mm at the 12th fret with nothing fretted, the neck looks straight to me now (using the string as a straightedge fretted at the 1st & 14th frets) and the bridge is as low as I think it can go, and yet the action is still killer anywhere above the 5th fret - any tips?
Here are some pics:
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01582.jpg
Front
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01584.jpg
Body
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01588.jpg
Back
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01585.jpg
Headstock
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/Aria%20LW-12T%20Dreadnought/DSC01587.jpg
Soundhole
http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr353/araTguitars/MyArias.jpg
Both Arias together (The classical is an A553 from the late 60s / early 70s)