I've dabbled with guitars now going on 30 years. I know a few basic chords and other bits but have never been able to even begin to master or manage a barre chord. With lockdown at the moment I've had some more time to begin taking a more serious approach to hopefully improve my ability and lack of skill.
I have an acoustic Hohner MW-300. For the life of me I can't even remember where or when I bought it. As I've read more into the technical side of setting up a guitar I've come across terms like "action" and "truss rod" along with other new words and phrases. I've inspected the neck of my guitar by holding a straight edge along it. When I do this the top and bottom of the straight edge sit flat on the fret wires but don't touch the wires in between. Is this normal or does it point to a neck issue? One thing I did notice is that the guitar does not have a truss rod?
Also if I measure the action height on for example the 7th fret it's sitting at 4mm. Does that figure indicate a high action? I'm just wondering if the action was lowered would it be easier to play?
Apologies if any of this sounds nonsense but I am learning my way through this as I go along.
Comments
Got any pictures?
Also sounds like the neck angle is wrong. For a basic check of neck angle take the straight edge you have and run it down the neck to the bridge. It should run close to or just over the top of the bridge (not saddle). If it hits the bridge at half way down or lower then it’s probably beyond economical repair, depending on a few other factors
Just bear in mind how cheap, decent guitars are these days. Unless this guitar holds anything other than monetary value I would consider a different guitar
I was advised and have read that it's easier to learn on an electric guitar. I bought a Yamaha Pacifica 012 with Line 6 V20 Amp from PMT online, so hopefully this makes it easier and more fun which will make me want to practice more and stick at it; And who knows it might inspire me to maybe purchase a better acoustic down the line.
A GC is a "smallish" guitar with a fretboard/body join usually at the 14th fret.
12 fret parlours are generally regarded as guitars for fingerstyle playing rather than strumming, etc.
A GC would be considered more versatile than a parlour.
But value wise it wouldn't be worth spending anything on it.
If you're after a good acoustic for not too much money have look at the Eastcoast range at PMT... Really well made, with a good quality finish and acoustically very good. I've got a G1S Grand Auditorium and I love it.
The Eastcoast D1S would be a good replacement for your Hohner and only £120.
I've posted a picture of the guitar I intend to buy below. What draws me to it is the clour and the grain of the quilted ash underneath.