Adjusting the action on an AM200

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Author Message   Sarnia1013 Username: Sarnia1013 Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 9:55 am:    So I'm the proud new owner of an '88 AM200 that I'm crazy about. There is just one problem, the action is too low. I'm having a hard time getting underneath other strings during bends. Anyway, it looks like I could just turn the screw on the bridge to raise it up. Is this a procedure a complete amateur could perform? I'm assuming the strings need to be off the guitar to do it? Any pointers would be great. I can take it to my tech if necessary, but I want to adjust it now. Also, there are a bunch of strange little raised clear spots all over the surface of the guitar. I can use my pick to scrap them off and they come off clean, but I'm concerned about scratching it. It's almost like the guitar got misted with 7up 20 years ago and its now petrified. I tried a soapy rag but that didn't work. I have heard denatured alcohol. Anyone know what I can use without damaging anything? Thanks, I love this site. [img]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Trumpet1013/ IMG_3521.jpg[/img] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Trumpet1013/ IMG_3522.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Trumpet1013/ IMG_3524.jpg[/IMG]   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 10:08 am:    Beautiful guitar. Loosen the strings a little and then raise the bridge. Retune it and see how it feels. Repeat if necessary.   Chucke99 Username: Chucke99 Registered: 2-2007 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 12:17 pm:    Ibanez polycoats are fairly impervious, and I've used acetone (nail polish remover) on gunky spots with good results. However, I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL, so if you try this, you should first try a tiny bit in an out-of-the-way spot, maybe on the back of the headstock, to make sure it doesn't damage the surface. Maybe others can chime in on this before you try.   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 5:14 pm:    Stay away from acetone/ nail polish remover. That's very aggressive stuff, bad for finish. Try normal guitar polish first (I use Martin), or some spit and your nails. Ginger   Jazzzbo Username: Jazzzbo Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 9:15 pm:    heres a tip, get a steel ruler, small one, like the one machinists use, make sure it has graduations for 1/64s, measure the distance at the 12th fret, on the 6th string, largest string , measure from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string it should be around 5/64ths, now try this again on the 1st string, it should be around 3/64 again, this is only a ball park or starting out guide, but it works for me, good luck jazzzz   Jazzzbo Username: Jazzzbo Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 9:17 pm:    ps, adjust the bridge up or down, but somewhere around those dimensions should be rite, also though , your neck truss rod may need to be adusted, jazzz   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 9:35 pm:    For your guitar's finish, I'd recommend Virtuoso Cleaner. After all of the gunk (7UP or whatever) is removed, apply a little Virtuoso Polish. (Available at Guitar Center) Your guitar will look like brand new again. Very nice axe, by the way. Enjoy.   Sarnia1013 Username: Sarnia1013 Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 9:35 am:    Thanks everyone.   Jason43 Username: Jason43 Registered: 9-2007 Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 6:27 pm:    WD40 is actually pretty good for removing gunk from a finish. I've used it on cars before to remover overspray, as well as other crud. I see no reason why it wouldn't be safe for a guitar finish. For the bridge, you need to loosen the screws that lock the bridge down, turn the adjustment wheels to the desired height and re-tighten the screws.   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 8:05 pm:    Generally there are two ways of adjusting the action: - the one described above, or - using a higher string tension, heavier gauge. For instance, if you bought this guitar second hand with .009-.042 on it and you would choose to use .011-.049 the extra tension will probably correct the action. So, it depends on whether you plan to keep these strings or not. Personally, I put a .011 set (Hamer) on my Artist AM-50, but I once bought a bullion gold Vantage Les Paul with .009 that was set-up perfectly, although I normally have .010 on all my Paulas. But my experience with the AM-neck is that it very rigid, and you need quite some string tension to get a little curve into it. Ginger   Sarnia1013 Username: Sarnia1013 Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 9:39 am:    Interesting commentary Ginger. Thanks for your insight. What do you think about the spots? Is WD40 alright?   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 11:22 pm:    I never tried WD40 on paint/finish, but I use it on the moving parts of bicycles, such as chain links, sprockets... For the paint of the bikes I always used cleansing oil on a cloth, like ORPO, Putoline and Kroon oil, not a spray. But WD40 could be safe, it doesn't damage the paint of my bikes. You could also use cleansing oil on a cotton cloth. You could also use Pledge furniture spray, which will smell better than the stuff suggested above. Same goes for Martin guitar polish. Ginger

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