Question about neck angle of a new Recording King

[Gerardo Piero Pavone]

I just bought at Elderly Instruments a (wonderful, in my opinion) top of the line Recording King, model 227. It is a copy of a pre-war Martin OM and, considering the price, I am very happy with the finish and the sound. But I have a question regarding the neck angle.
The guitar has a perfectly straight neck with minimal relief., and it is very playable with a classic action at the 12th fret of 3/32 low E and 2/32 high .
No fret buzz, great sound. But... the part of the bone saddle that comes out of the bridge is quite low (a bit less than 3/32).
Therefore, also the break angle of the strings with the saddle is quite soft (still acceptable, in my opinion).
I ran a 24 " straight ruler along the fretboard until I reached the bridge, and the ruler touches the bridge 1/16IMG_0112.jpg

 below the top of the bridge (while it should land ON the bridge, but still it is not so much low).

My concern is that, although the guitar as it is now has no problem of tone, playability, action etc... I have little margin for an adjustment if there will be such a need in the future. I.e. if the neck angle should increase, I do not have much room to lower the saddle, and even if I do it, I am afraid that the break angle of the strings with the bridge would become too flat and I will lose tone and volume.
What would you do in my place ? Would you return the guitar, or would you enjoy it and stop worrying about possible future issues ?
Thanks for your advise !

[Greg Mirken]

I've seen your question on 3 forums now. You've gotten a handful of responses all saying to return the guitar. After looking at your pictures here I'd have to say it's a judgement call. Have you seen other examples of this model with significantly steeper neck angles? If so, and considering the warranty isn't going to be of any use on this issue, I'd agree.

[Gerardo Piero Pavone]

There were a few other Recording King at Elderly, not exactly the same models.
In all honesty I did not check the height of the saddle of these other guitars, neither the neck angle.
Therefore I have no idea if this is an issue common to all Recording King guitars or not.
My point is that, as far as I understand although I am not a luthier, the guitar that I have is just
"borderline" i.e. some could consider it OK some others not.
I paid $ 700.00 for it. If there will be no changes in the neck angle for some years, I could keep it because as it is
now it play very easy and has great tone and volume. But if you believe that the neck angle will inevitably change in the very near future, then I would prefer to return it.

[Rick Gentry]

Good Morning.

This isn't that great a mystery. Some guitars are meant for deep analysis, while most are not. I have found that the more minutiae I attempt to extricate from a box of wires, regardless of the name on it or how much it cost, the less I am playing the thing and getting life from it. Perspective is the key.

Price has no bearing here. You might have purchased a closet Martin at a garage sale for $700.00 and would be asking the same kind of questions, but the focus would be on its investment value. You might have purchased an 80's Scarab for the same price because it makes you feel like you still have hair and can still fit into those red and white striped spandex pants you haven't thrown out yet. Worth is in the hands of the player.

The point is to play the thing and if it works, it works. It might die on you someday, and that has to be okay. A guitar feels right or it doesn't. Sometimes its a matter of the heart and simply put, sometimes its just an assemblage of wires and wood and glue and metal parts. Take the thing back and the right guitar will find you.

rg

[Ned Knepp]

In my experience this is hard to call. I have a guitar that hasn't been touched in close to 30 years of use and the action is the easiest of all my guitars (very easy). I also know of others of this make that have been adjusted 2 or 3 times in that period. I just don't know of any way to predict this. I will say that if you feel strongly enough about this issue to ask on multiple forums, it seem to me that this bugs you enough that you may not ever be complete comfortable with the guitar as it is.

I suppose you might consider that your decision is to either accept greater cost of repair if or when the setup changes or you return the guitar for something with more room on the saddle for adjustment. What's your level of comfort?

[Michael Tulloch]

From what I've seen on the Martins, and other comparable guitars I have...after 3-4 years of moderate playing and tender care, the neck angel has changed to what I'm seeing in your photographs, approximately. I call it dropping to the first position. Still have some ok saddle, action is fine....but when that baby drops again...it's neck re-set time. Your deprived of this first period before the first drop...however long that period is.
While I'm not one to obsess over stuff like this.....on a new unit, I would return it and see about getting one that had a better neck angel ( I like the shop scale to lay a heavy 1/16" above the bridge.).

[Gerardo Piero Pavone]

I did contact Recording King directly, and they told me that their life time warranty covers neck angle problems.
They leave me the choice between acting now or wait and act later if a problem arises. What would you do in my place ?
Thanks !

[Ned Knepp]

Personal opinion;
As I asked, what is your comfort level, Gerardo? You can always find another good guitar but If you really like the guitar as it, keep it and stop worrying. If you are going to worry about it all the time, return it and get something you won't worry about. It's your money, your guitar and your decision.

[David Houchens]

I,ve seen people who returned an instrument for simular reasons only to go through many more to find one that they realy like as much as the first one. Having a lower saddle height, it will have a little less leverage on rotational pull. This CAN mean a longer period before neck setting is necessary. If I was happy with the sound and volume, I'd keep it, knowing it will only be better down the road.

[Pierre-Antoine Roiron]

I would keep it so that I can play now, knowing that if anything goes wrong I'd be safe with the lifetime warranty.

[FRANK]

i thought this was about neck angle i have only 1 photo to look at concerning the neck the rest are of the bridge which is part of the equation yes but the neck angle is on average in western instruments approximately 1 to 2 degrees back from lining up center with the top
but if your concern is truly for the neck id say set the guitar up again truss rod adjustment nut adjustment if needed and a saddle adjustment as needed if you can deliver a photo with a straight edge on top the fret board stretching toward the saddle like you have your yard stick we might be a bit more help with your predicament also photos with a 6 inch ruler spanning from fret 17 and or fret 12 to the bottom of the low e string and the high e string giving string specs i understand like you have already
if it were me id humidify the guitar keep it in a case and not worry about adjustment for the future i always say you cant take it with you when you die so there's your sign

[Tim Mace]

Leave it alone 'til it creates its own problems...many would like to have as good a setup.Why can't he take it with him?

[Gerardo Piero Pavone]

Thank you for all your comments. Most of you suggested that I keep the guitar if I am happy with the tone and playability, and worry about possible issues later. It is a wise suggestion and this is what I tried to do in the past days.
However, I realized that, silly enough, I was not comfortable. So I finally decided to return it and asked for a replacement that will arrive tomorrow. Thank you again.