OldCowboy

Hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but now that you mention it, that's exactly my approach as well👍

Welcome😊 Odds are good that your guitar will come into its own without a lot of tweaking as far as string height and the like. The main concern for me would be to play the daylights out of the thing on a regular and frequent basis. That should loosen it up a bit and continue to do so over time. Since you're acoustic playing is pretty much confined to one guitar, you should see progress sooner than some of us who play several and divide our playing time accordingly. There's some thought that using slightly heavier strings enhances the breaking- in process, but there's also some debate on the subject. Personally, I'd just trust my instincts and enjoy the guitar.

Nothing wrong with an LG-1. Replacing the plastic bridge, if the guitar has one, can improve the tone and volume.

Had never thought of that. Considering it, though, it might be true for some folks. Has never bothered me, and my hands and feet (size 14) are generally considered equally big - but how a person's hands are structured could make a difference, too. ✋

It's difficult for me to give any sort of advice/suggestions when it comes to how a guitar feels to an individual playing it. Scale length matters, strings matter, setup matters, necks matter, nut width matters - and most of us are aware of all that. I guess my take is that what matters most in the final analysis is the player's interpretation, a very personal thing that's hard for someone else to define. My analogy for all this is buying underwear, about which I suspect there's very little need to explain. How guitars sound from one to the next is equally perplexing once you get beyond generalities, especially if you're discussing a similar make/model/production era. The nuances come into account and how to predict those is way past me. About all I can contribute, though it seems not to amount to much, is suggesting that you play everything in your path and keep an open mind.

Dean Markley used to be the king of warm and tame - and a friend of mine years back said you could leave 'em on forever....

I've heard good things about Everly, but haven't tried a set.

Not a gardener - however - mesquite thorns will produce similar symptoms. Soreness, stiffness, pain. If you extract the entire thorn early on, it'll likely subside over time. If it goes on for a while, heavy antibiotics should knock out the infection and steroids may help. Damn tough break/ sorry to hear this happened.

'65 natural top Hummingbird, still retains the adjustable bridge (wood and ceramic), strung with Martin PB lights, plain brass pins, 'bird and flora not worn off at all, gold hardware - including adjustment screws, flatpicks loud and bright, fingerpicks clear and sweet, rescued from pawn shop attic in 1972, good neck with wide board, best of four I've owned (three from '60s - one early '70s), provides good vocal accompanyment and sounds good solo, shows a bit of love and play, lives in era-appropriate Gibson hardshell.... Pictures subject to daughter's availability to photograph and upload.

I'm a fan. Greater volume and sustain especially on vintage guitars. Also they tend to counteract the effect of a slightly worn bridge plate in terms of balance and tone. They haven't done much to supercharge three or four mahogany top Martins, all newer, of different dimensions that I've since unloaded - so can't say whether they'd benefit newer guitars with spruce tops or not.

Sliced ham with bacon marmalade!

Bar-B-Q! It's why there are cows....

Deep fried cod!

Chicken fried steak, white gravy, and eggs. Sure do an old Texas boy proud!

Welcome! I,too, have a Gibson 'bird from 1965. They're great guitars. Also have a bit of Texas background (Austin area) and a lot of horse stories, like many Lone Star folks. Hope you enjoy the forum - lots of nice people here.

PMS? Horrible affliction, so I have heard. PRS, they say is better, but not much.

Older Guild 12-strings are excellent. Better playing and much more hardy than any of the Gibson or Martin 12s I've owned. Of course, there was that Asian Guild copy the Buttache (pronounced boo-taa-chee) from the 1970's that just blew Guilds away....

Overrated guitars make me unhappy, cause me physical pain to play, combine with my playing to produce a sound I dislike, cost more than I'd pay for a good pickup truck, and/or are absurdly sensitive to changes in climate and weather. I could name brands, but why add to an already acute case of subjectivitis? Continuing the established theme, underrated guitars are the ones I like that somebody else doesn't. In general terms, excluding certain vintages/models of each, I'm most happy with Gibson, Guild, and Martin. So they're mostly rated about where they should be, I suppose. Wish I could say something nice about Taylor, but I can't. If your canoe overturns, Ovations will float. Consider: what else floats? Just read this masterpiece and decided it's time to either post or delete!

Kenny Hall and the Sweet's Mill String Band. Love Jim Ringer's guitar runs. A real flash to California in the early '70s!