I recently got a new RK maxwell round neck resonator, but even after putting on heavier 13 gauge strings, the action still isnt high enough for slide. What's the easiest way I can raise the action a bit more?
I wish to play bottleneck, not lap style, so I only need to raise the action a tiny bit.
Edited by - Mikoyan1 on 01/27/2026 16:46:00
If I were on my computer I could show a picture of the item, but I'm on my phone so I can't. There is a piece that installs over the nut of a guitar and raises the strings high enough to play them with a steel. There are two kinds, one made by Grover, the other made by Saga. They go by various names, nut extender, slide adapter, etc. In musician's parlance, the piece is called a riser. They can be found for about $15 or so at some of the online vendors. You might also find one on eBay. Brick and mortar music stores may or may not have them in stock because they are such a specialty item.
Are you wanting to play lap style or bottleneck slide?
quote:
Originally posted by FrederickPattersonAre you wanting to play lap style or bottleneck slide?
Sorry I didn't clarify in the post. I want to play bottleneck, NOT lap style. I only need to raise the action a little bit.
Mark Harper is referring to something like the Grover Extension Nut. I've never used one since I'm a lap style player owning only squareneck resonators guitars. The majority of players here are mainly lap style. Phillip, you probably don't want one of these, I believe they raise the action to where it is 3/8 inch at the nut. Squareneck dobros usually have a nut height between 3/8 to 1/2 inch.
There is a second question involved: you mentioned you only want to raise the action a little bit. Do you want to combine slide along with fretting with your fingers?
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaMark Harper is referring to something like the Grover Extension Nut. I've never used one since I'm a lap style player owning only squareneck resonators guitars. The majority of players here are mainly lap style. Phillip, you probably don't want one of these, I believe they raise the action to where it is 3/8 inch at the nut. Squareneck dobros usually have a nut height between 3/8 to 1/2 inch.
There is a second question involved: you mentioned you only want to raise the action a little bit. Do you want to combine slide along with fretting with your fingers?
Yes, I currently play bottleneck with a good mix of fretting and slide.
I brought it to a shop and they mentioned raising the nut or the saddle or something, but they have a 4 week waitlist AND they charged me alot for it, so I want to do it myself.
Raise the bridge and leave the nut alone. If you have a wooden saddle on the bridge, take a piece of maple, cut out a shim to go under the bridge, and glue it on the bottom.
quote:
Originally posted by CullodenRaise the bridge and leave the nut alone. If you have a wooden saddle on the bridge, take a piece of maple, cut out a shim to go under the bridge, and glue it on the bottom.
Yeah, this is what I would recommend, I had a friend do the same thing and it seemed to work out alright.But I wasn't the one doing it.
It should be a pair of wood bridge inserts on the Maxwell since it is a spider bridge reso.
Just get one of these amazon.com/dp/B07SBP8JBV?ref=p...sin_title
quote:
Originally posted by CullodenIf I were on my computer I could show a picture of the item, but I'm on my phone so I can't. There is a piece that installs over the nut of a guitar and raises the strings high enough to play them with a steel. There are two kinds, one made by Grover, the other made by Saga. They go by various names, nut extender, slide adapter, etc. In musician's parlance, the piece is called a riser. They can be found for about $15 or so at some of the online vendors. You might also find one on eBay. Brick and mortar music stores may or may not have them in stock because they are such a specialty item.
I think the riser you're talking about is for converting from standard to lap playing.
Miko, to raise the action, remove the truss rod cover on the headstock and use a hex wrench to turn it to the left. The more you turn it, the higher the action will be. Adjust to taste.
Edited by - Charlie Bernstein on 01/28/2026 11:04:30
quote:
Originally posted by Charlie Bernsteinquote:
Originally posted by CullodenIf I were on my computer I could show a picture of the item, but I'm on my phone so I can't. There is a piece that installs over the nut of a guitar and raises the strings high enough to play them with a steel. There are two kinds, one made by Grover, the other made by Saga. They go by various names, nut extender, slide adapter, etc. In musician's parlance, the piece is called a riser. They can be found for about $15 or so at some of the online vendors. You might also find one on eBay. Brick and mortar music stores may or may not have them in stock because they are such a specialty item.
I think the riser you're talking about is for converting from standard to lap playing.
It is. That's what I thought he was wanting at first. I didn't find out until a while ago that he wanted to play with a bottle neck.
quote:
Originally posted by CullodenI think the riser you're talking about is for converting from standard to lap playing.
It is. That's what I thought he was wanting at first. I didn't find out until a while ago that he wanted to play with a bottle neck.
Yup. All Miko has to do is loosen the truss rod.
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaquote:
Originally posted by CullodenRaise the bridge and leave the nut alone. . . .
Yeah, this is what I would recommend, I had a friend do the same thing and it seemed to work out alright.But I wasn't the one doing it.
It should be a pair of wood bridge inserts on the Maxwell since it is a spider bridge reso.
I'd leave the bridge and nut alone. For higher action, I'd just give the truss rod a healthy twist.
Not only is it the best way. It's the easiest — and coincidentally, easiest is what Miko asked for. It's also the easiest to undo. If you gave the truss rod a half turn to the left, just give it a half turn to the right!
And then there's what I do: Play bottleneck with low action. It can sound great if you let it.
Edited by - Charlie Bernstein on 01/28/2026 11:56:45
quote:
Originally posted by Charlie Bernsteinquote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaquote:
Originally posted by CullodenRaise the bridge and leave the nut alone. . . .
Yeah, this is what I would recommend, I had a friend do the same thing and it seemed to work out alright.But I wasn't the one doing it.
It should be a pair of wood bridge inserts on the Maxwell since it is a spider bridge reso.I'd leave the bridge and nut alone. For higher action, I'd just give the truss rod a healthy twist.
Not only is it the best way. It's the easiest — and coincidentally, easiest is what Miko asked for. It's also the easiest to undo. If you gave the truss rod a half turn to the left, just give it a half turn to the right. Done!
And then there's what I do: Play bottleneck with low action. It can sound great if you let it.
I was always taught as a quick fix one can adjust the truss rod to change the action a bit, but that is not its main job.
Adjusting neck relief or curvature is the primary purpose of the truss rod.
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaAdjusting neck relief or curvature is the primary purpose of the truss rod.
This is correct.
h
quote:
Originally posted by hlpdobroquote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaAdjusting neck relief or curvature is the primary purpose of the truss rod.
This is correct.
h
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaI was always taught as a quick fix one can adjust the truss rod to change the action a bit, but that is not its main job.
Adjusting neck relief or curvature is the primary purpose of the truss rod.
Absolutely. Since Miko specifically asked for easiest, it's worth a try. If it doesn't do the trick, it's easy to reverse. A screw driver, a hex wrench, and five minutes will decide it.
The best solution, in my humble, is to learn to play slide with low action. But that's not easy for everyone. You have to have the touch.
Edited by - Charlie Bernstein on 01/29/2026 03:49:11
Yep, try the truss rod. My Republic round neck responds well to this. Just loosen it around a half turn and those 13s should pull it where you want it.
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