TravelGuitar Forum by Lapstick Guitar

Hi!
I have a problem with my lapstick, maybe you can advice smth.
Since the moment I got the lapstick a wanted to tune it lower. Ideally in E. The first thing I tried was to tune standart strings down. No surprise, the strings were too loose. Than I wanted to try heavy gauge strings. I should of course start with not so heavy strings, but I saw this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVpaLGy_ME and decided to try 14-68 strings. When I started tuning the lapstick with these strings I found out that if tuning in E tension is too hard, so I didn't came to E at tuning and stopped at D. The tension was still hard, but not extremely. Whatever the lapstick in D was not the thing I wanted, and I decided to buy 12. strings at the next day. And I left the lapstick with the 14. strings for the night. The next day I bought new strings, installed them and started to play. But it was unpleasent surprise for me, when I discovered that distance between strings and the fingerboard increased. Particularly from approx 1mm to approx. 2mm at the 12 fret. The instrument is of course still good playble, but it is obvious that 1mm is more comfortable. I tried to solve the problem by lowering strings position at bridge, but I can not lower strings much without string-fret clanging.
It would have sense to change bend of the neck, but there is no truss rod in lapstick.
So, what I' intrested in, how can I adjust bend of the neck in lapstick in controllable way and without risk of damaging the instrument.

Hi Ivan,

The neck construction ofthe Lapstick is similar to that of older Martin guitars. There is a reinforcing rod in the neck, and the profile of the neck is controlled by a technique known as compression fretting. Simply put, the wedging effect of the fret controls the relief. Apart from simplicity the main advantage to this system is great tone. The solid stiff neck drives the bridge end and provides a resonant ringing tone. It is no accident that Martins with this type of neck are considered the best sounding guitars ever made. Being an old school type of guy I have always loved these instruments and the technique is not too difficult to master.

We have considered an adjustable truss rod but there are a couple of problems. They don't work very well across a short distance and there is also very little room on the Lapstick for the adjustment screw.

Another thing I always admired about the Martin guitar company was the way they stood behind their product and their excellent service. This is something that we also try to emulate. I advise you to return the instrument to me at your convenience. You should string it with the type and gauge of strings you prefer. I will repair and readjust the instrument, free of charge of course. There is no time limit to this so you can return it during a period when you won't be using it.

Regards,

Phil