ddiddler: "they use a different bridge which purports to increase string tension."
That's your answer right there. My OM acoustic has way more tension than my Blues acoustic, so much so that I can barely get a 1-fret bend out of it. It's a different instrument that needs to be approached differently, but it sounds amazing. So instead of bends I use slides, and even then don't use those as much. I don't know the technicalities of why it has much more tension
A possible way round it is to
* tune all strings 1 fret lower (Eb Standard)
* put a capo on the 1st fret
You should have a guitar that is still in E-Standard tuning but you will have to be aware that everything is up 1-fret when practicing/playing
Alternatively your nut may be badly setup and the grooves are so high up it takes a lot more pressure to fret on the headstock end. Maybe ask in the guitar tech thread for advice?
Thanks Crinmity
all useful info .
Alvarez call it the bilevel bridge. The bridge sits in its own block separate to the saddle with the holes and pins. Designed to give a greater angle of string break.
The action looks good and as the 11s are fine I think it just just points to my soft baby fingertips.
The 12s we’re fretting ok but my fingers were grooved and tingly way more than I expect from the playing time involved . My fingers are generally ok but I don’t have obvious callous development.
Cheers Dave L
