Andy Eagle ( Guitar repair tech for 30 years )

[la szum]

Get the Mexican one, it’s off the same production line but with a rosewood fingerboard instead of the ebony. Better really. The only difference is fewer options on the electrics and no rechargeable battery. Sounds as good as and plays exactly the same, which can be excellent. It is basically governed by what type of strings you fit as to what it is going to be good for. The preamp is good sounding even if the acoustic sound is thin. But it’s small. They are actually pretty good and the Mexican ones are the sweet spot.

Thanks, Andy. Really appreciate you being so open with your experience and knowledge like that.

I actually found a used American made one for $800.

I pulled the trigger on it.

Have had some Godins in the past and I know a little about what I am getting into with the inherent
limitations. Figured it was worth taking the leap at that price.

I am guessing it can't handle acoustic level tension from 12s or 13s. Do you recommend something
more than 9s or 10s on it. Is there a sweet spot, or happy medium for that kind of guitar?

 

[LScottK]

I have a question about guitar action. I received shipment on Wednesday, April 8th of a Knaggs Kenai. I'm a big fan of Knaggs guitars and was looking forward to playing it. I discovered that if I bend the high e and b strings around the 12th fret and above that the note chokes out. I checked the neck relief and it measured right at .010 inches (I used a feeler gauge), maybe just barely over, so I don't want to adjust the truss rod. I just talked to Guitar Center (where I bought the guitar) and in typical Guitar Center fashion I got an evasive answer about whether GC would cover costs for putting the guitar in what I consider playing condition. When I talked to a sales rep at the store that I bought the guitar from, he mentioned that they had done some fret work for a previous customer. I'm concerned that whoever did the fret work was a hack and didn't properly level the frets past the 12th fret. The guitar plays fine in lower registers. I can return the guitar for a full refund minus $25 for shipping. I'm not sure yet if I like the guitar, because I haven't been able to play it properly in it's current condition. I'm tempted to just return it and forget about it. A proper setup will cost me $100 - $150, significantly more if fret work is involved. I'm wondering if you have any thoughts? Other than the obvious "return the guitar and run for the hills!"

 

[Eagle]

Thanks, Andy. Really appreciate you being so open with your experience and knowledge like that.

I actually found a used American made one for $800.

I pulled the trigger on it.

Have had some Godins in the past and I know a little about what I am getting into with the inherent
limitations. Figured it was worth taking the leap at that price.

I am guessing it can't handle acoustic level tension from 12s or 13s. Do you recommend something
more than 9s or 10s on it. Is there a sweet spot, or happy medium for that kind of guitar?

$800 is good. Try acoustic 11s.

 

[la szum]

Thanks. Andy. Typical phosphor bronze strings?

 

[Eagle]

I have a question about guitar action. I received shipment on Wednesday, April 8th of a Knaggs Kenai. I'm a big fan of Knaggs guitars and was looking forward to playing it. I discovered that if I bend the high e and b strings around the 12th fret and above that the note chokes out. I checked the neck relief and it measured right at .010 inches (I used a feeler gauge), maybe just barely over, so I don't want to adjust the truss rod. I just talked to Guitar Center (where I bought the guitar) and in typical Guitar Center fashion I got an evasive answer about whether GC would cover costs for putting the guitar in what I consider playing condition. When I talked to a sales rep at the store that I bought the guitar from, he mentioned that they had done some fret work for a previous customer. I'm concerned that whoever did the fret work was a hack and didn't properly level the frets past the 12th fret. The guitar plays fine in lower registers. I can return the guitar for a full refund minus $25 for shipping. I'm not sure yet if I like the guitar, because I haven't been able to play it properly in it's current condition. I'm tempted to just return it and forget about it. A proper setup will cost me $100 - $150, significantly more if fret work is involved. I'm wondering if you have any thoughts? Other than the obvious "return the guitar and run for the hills!"

Sounds like a little too much relief. What is the action at fret 12 ( no capo on one or anything) you should be able to get 50/1/000” ~ 60/1000” E to E with no issues.

 

[Eagle]

Thanks. Andy. Typical phosphor bronze strings?

I would.

 

[LScottK]

Sounds like a little too much relief. What is the action at fret 12 ( no capo on one or anything) you should be able to get 50/1/000” ~ 60/1000” E to E with no issues.

I won't be able to measure until this evening, or maybe tomorrow morning. I'll reply as soon as I can get the measurements.