Mosrite Mark1 Setup

[Hydra19]

Since I setup all my guitar myself I've been trying to do the same with a Mosrite Mark 1 but am having more troubles than even the Fender Jaguar. I guess it is also getting used to such a neck.

While trying to see if there were any threads on this already, all I got is that on a Mosrite you can set low action, but no numbers. What is considered low action on a Mosrite? I have my bass strings under 5/64th and the treble at 5/64 and it seems to be happy there, although I don't consider that to be low, I can set it lower on my Jaguar or Les Paul without buzzing. It is 5/64th on the E's, as per the radius the middle strings are higher than that

I brought this guitar over to rainy London from it's home in California and slapped on some pure nickel 9's. It was really weird to play, not hard, but just weird. I messed around with the bridge but decided to add some relief to the neck. I went in small turns, but by now I have probably given it almost a full turn from where it was, but it is getting better, and the weirdness of playing it is going away. Bends are sounding good.

So how low is low action? For relief, everybody says they like a straight neck, I found I like more relief, although I could probably say the neck is pretty straight. I'll have to go by feel, I definitely will not add more relief to the neck.

If I didn't know Mosrites had speed frets I'd say this guitar is in need of a fretjob, and maybe it is, given that is over 40 years old, but it does sounds good.

I have been frustrated trying to set this guitar up by numbers, and go for feel now, but I find that my action is not low as it is on my other guitars, once I do check with the ruler.

If I lower it to around 1mm it buzzes all over, on both E strings but not the rest. I'm getting a Mosrite Fillmore soon, so will try to set that one up to see how different it is

[GuyaGuy]

Mosrites are generally known for allowing for low action. I can't mind my caliper for a proper measure right now but I have mine (Mosrite Combo) super low and barely even press the string when I fret it. You might just need to set yours up--especially after taking it from dry, warm California to chilly, wet London.

[Hydra19]

but I don't know how low your definition of low is. I've been trying to set it up, but get buzz on the low E if it's any lower than 1.5mm or just under 5/64. Putting relief in the neck helped some but I'm not sure I want to give it more, it sounds like it could be an uneven fret, but with frets that low, I thought it wouldn't be a problem

[dubtrub]

Mosrite necks should have the trussrod adjusted with the neck virtually straight/flat which should get the strings down to almost touching the fretboard within 1/8". Sounds like maybe you have a slight amount of backbow in the neck from over tightening the trussrod. Sight down the fretboard and let us know if you have backbow or relief.

[Hydra19]

thanks dubtrub,

I believe it had a backbow, strings were hard to bend, the low E was fretting all over and bends would slip under my fingers. I adjusted the truss rod going in 1/8, very little by little until it got better. I'll try and measure my relief tonight, and post it.
Last night I got my action to be closer to 1.5mm, but once the Low E is that low, it will buzz on the 3rd fret, and the fast palm muted into to Cruel Sea sounds like crap as the string is hitting a fret somewhere, I checked and it definately isn't the pickups. If I have my action at 1mm, the A and the D will play fine, but that Low E seems to want to sit at 1.5mm at least.

On the Hallmark I had my action a bit lower too, with the same 9 gauge EB rock n roll strings.
I'm not unhappy, I just want my Mosrite to play optimally and would want to try to get to closer to my other guitars. I find that extra relief helps with resonance with chords, and less relief make the sounds a bit more forward, as if it has a bit more presence

[dubtrub]

Try setting the trussrod to allow a slight amount of relief about the seventh fret. Visually sighting down it, it will look perfectly straight but yet have a very slight amount of relief using a straight edge. Also check the zero fret (right behind the rounded string guide sometimes called the nut) and see if there are dents worn into it's surface allowing the string to sit lower than it should. Also if you are using 9-42 gauge strings you might want to try 9-46's. That's what I use on all my guitars. It helps to keep that low E string usable for double picking as it is a little stiffer allowing the pick to roll off the string without rattling the string on the fret.

BTW, if you are using the 9-42's you will want to install 9-46's before adjusting the trussrod. Most people use 10's on their Mosrites as the stiffer the string the closer you can lower the action without buzz. If you bought the guitar recently and changed it to your favorite gauge strings, the previous owner may have had it set up for 10's or 11's. Every time string gauge is changed it will effect the fret board and trussrod adjustment is required. Once you have the trussrod adjust to where it seems perfect, let it settle overnight and check it again the next day and readjust as necessary until it's where you want it. Wood and metal expand and contract and will finally settle in over a twenty four hour period.

Here's a link that gives a good detailed overview of setting up a neck. Every step is not always required but it will give you a good understanding of whats going on. http://jpbturbo.com/wp-content/uploads/ ... preads.pdf

[Hydra19]

thanks Dubtrub.

My guitar used to belong to Mel Waldorf, his '66.
He had it setup with his usual D'addario 10's. I found it a bit hard to bend on, so I swapped it to 9's, which is what I always used on the Hallmark. I'm sure some of this is the fact that it is my first Mosrite neck experience, and am getting used to it.

I've had some great moments with the guitar, inspirational, where I totally zoned out playing, so it is just a matter of setting it up to my own particular preference, it is not as if the guitar is unplayable, but I am a newbie with Mosrites. Used to be with Jaguars and Les Paul too but I now know how to set those up for my preference.

I've given the neck enough relief in the last week so I'll just leave it be for now,maybe straighten it just a little bit. I'll go and take some measurements

[Hydra19]

ok, took some numbers:

managed to lower the bridge a tiny bit,
treble action from 12th fret to bottom of string - 1.3mm
bass action - 1.1mm, but it will buzz with a firm pick, also will buzz on open but you can clearly hear it hit a fret in the middle of the neck and not at the nut side.

Measure relief at the 7th fret, capo on 1st and holding it down on the 15th fret. I couldn't really see because it is a tiny amount, maybe at .25 of a millimetre, is that too high or low? I probably could make it play a bit better by raising the action, I don't see a way I can make that E string be at 1mm and not buzz, unless I change it for a thicker one.

Perhaps the nut is also not suited to this gauge?

[dubtrub]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Keep working with it. As with most all my guitars, I keep trying to get the action lower and lower. Eventually I have to settle for what I've got without getting into some major neck straightening and fret dressing. Good luck!

[Hydra19]

thanks!

It's pretty much the same way I setup all my other guitars, lots of patience but this way I'll know how every tiny thing affects my guitar.
I am privileged to finally have a vintage Mosrite so do my research before I do anything to it.

I just bought a 1963 reissue too, and when it clears customs I'll probably have to set that one up as well so might as well learn. I plan to post a NGD thread with pics!