Nothing wrong with a C40. Leave the peer pressure for the teenagers 8)
You'll always get those who say they've lowered their classical action to Xmm but the classicals have pretty high action generally so think twice before applying "standard" steel string thinking to it. I fought the urge to lower the action excessively on my classicals, just tweaking a bit, and in hindsight I'm glad I did. it's a whole different vibe. For what it's worth Yamaha standard specs are 3mm and 4mm at the 12th.

Foottapiologist wrote: Nothing wrong with a C40. Leave the peer pressure for the teenagers 8)

Nope, I'll agree with you there. What my colleague sold this guitar to me for made it an absolute steal. I know what she paid for it; I paid her half, and I know what the ticket price is new (she wouldn't take more, despite me wanting to pay her more; I'm weird like that).

Foottapiologist wrote: For what it's worth Yamaha standard specs are 3mm and 4mm at the 12th.

Yeah, that's what I've read. It seems fine towards the nut, which is where I reckon my daughter will spend most of her time, learning open chords, the principles of barre chords, etc. Oh well, I guess I'll leave it as it is for now and only fiddle if I run into massive problems.

Thanks for the insight
dh|

domhatch wrote: However, one thing I do know is that there is nothing right with the action on this guitar. There's about an inch (ok, I lie, let's say a good 5-6mm) between the strings and the fretboard at around the 10th fret. And the saddle is very high. Is it as easy as sanding down the saddle at the next restring?

Yip, it is as easy as sanding the saddle down. The nut might be a touch high as well - but usually it's the saddle that is sky high. The new C40M I looked at on Saturday has a skyscraper of a saddle. This isn't a exotic material and replacements can be sourced without much drama if you mess it up.

Since there's no undersaddle pickup, you don't even need to be overly precise about getting the bottom perfectly flat. Basically, mark the saddle with the amount you want to drop by (let's say 1mm), put some 150grit on a flat surface (tempered glass) and sand until the mark - dbl check the bottom is flat and re-install - rinse & repeat if necessary. If you remove too much by mistake, you can use a thin piece of plastic/veneer to shim it up again.

Foottapiologist wrote: You'll always get those who say they've lowered their classical action to Xmm but the classicals have pretty high action generally so think twice before applying "standard" steel string thinking to it.

Indeed, I am that guy. But when you've spent 3-4hrs/day toiling away on flamenco techniques, anything that helps to make a more comfortable guitar = than much less time at the physio.

Meron Rigas wrote: Yip, it is as easy as sanding the saddle down. The nut might be a touch high as well - but usually it's the saddle that is sky high. The new C40M I looked at on Saturday has a skyscraper of a saddle. This isn't a exotic material and replacements can be sourced without much drama if you mess it up.

Since there's no undersaddle pickup, you don't even need to be overly precise about getting the bottom perfectly flat. Basically, mark the saddle with the amount you want to drop by (let's say 1mm), put some 150grit on a flat surface (tempered glass) and sand until the mark - dbl check the bottom is flat and re-install - rinse & repeat if necessary. If you remove too much by mistake, you can use a thin piece of plastic/veneer to shim it up again.

That's what I was thinking. I'm not massively worried the action is hugely overstated at the high end of the neck - the child is not going to be twiddling up there in the next few weeks, but I'd like it to be playable to my standards at least. Dropping the action a little is in order, and if it's relatively simple, I might just give it a bash.

Meron Rigas wrote: Indeed, I am that guy. But when you've spent 3-4hrs/day toiling away on flamenco techniques, anything that helps to make a more comfortable guitar = than much less time at the physio.

Now I'm not that guy. But I do enjoy my creature comforts...

Thanks lads
dh|

To me an issue is the first fret. If the nut is too high, those barre chords are a nightmare for the beginner

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