How to lower action on acoustic guitar?

[kickz28]

Hi! I have a Takamine G330 acoustic guitar. I think it SHOULD be a pretty good guitar. It sounds great anyway. The problem is that its really and I mean REALLY tough to play. I have a hard time finishing a song of only open chords and my hand gets very tired. The action is very high. Can anyone tell me how to lower the action on this guitar and does anyone have any tips to make it play a bit easier? I know how to lower the action on electric guitars, but I just don't see how its done on an acoustic. Do I have to adjust the truss rod?

Here is a picture of the guitar:



Thanks,
joe

Edit: Just before anyone suggests, I'm not only used to playing electric guitar, my other acoustic (a Fender) doesn't give me a hard time like this. And my girlfriends Takamine (also a G series-- 3xx I think) plays really great! So its not like I'm a newbie to acoustics.

[jemsite]

you need to loosen the strings and slide out the white plastic saddle. then you file the underside (carefully) to lower action on the open strings. the guitar probably does not have a truss rod.. glen

[kickz28]

By the saddle, you mean the white plastic part at the bridge? Should I do the same with the nut (the white plastic close to the headstock?).

How do I glue it back on after?

[JESTER700]

No, just the bone in the bridge. That part needs no glue; string tension keeps it in.

There SHOULD be a truss rod; follow the directions elsewhere on this site to check your relief, and if it's too much, you can adjust the rod. It's probably hidden; look through the soundhole toward the headstock and you should see it.

[darren wilson]

If filing the bridge saddle and/or tweaking the neck relief doesn't get you the results you're after, the only other option is to take it to a professional luthier to get the neck angle re-set.

[vaijem777]

The Takamine "G" series guitars DO have truss rods. They're just not great guitars. It's their Korean-made entry level series and are pretty hit-or-miss in terms of quality.

You should be able to make it playable by filing down the saddle as mentioned in above posts. It's definitely NOT worth a neck reset though.

Years ago when I was managing a store, we'd order in dozens of the G330s around the holidays. About 30% of them ended up going back to the distributor.

[kickz28]

Thanks! You guys have been very helpful!

[saTa]

got the same problem with the crafter western guitar of my gf. it's a pretty damn good sounding guitar with a kewl b-band pickup system which sounds very rich and full. but you can't play ANYTHING above the 5th fret and barrés are almost impossible without at least 2 strings buzzing.

when we recorded a 4min song we played the rhythm guitar in 5-20s steps because mistakes increased and hands got tired and hurt.

a pic of it:



any1 know these guitars?


thanks for the tip with the filing down... i'll have a careful look at it, but i reckon you'd have to file down at least 1mm of the plastic to achieve an effect... the action is about 1cm at the 12th fret

wasn't always like this... when we bought it you could play well on it, tbh... shall we take it back to the store?