KVR Audio

GaryG · Post by **GaryG** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:11 pm

Well my next guitar is already here, just a cheap, no nonsense Vintage strat copy. Just wanted something with a trem to play around with but it sounds and plays (generally) so well I may retire my yamaha (aes-800, never really got on with the shape/balance).

So, going to change the pickguard (sorry, a brilliant white pickguard on a sunburst strat just doesn't cut it

) and need to adjust the action and trem...

Q: I've had a couple of strat copies before and all had floating trems (without really being aware TBH). This is the first I've had where when I use the trem, I get a clunk when I release the arm as the bridge hits the body. Also had an issue where the top string buzzed on the first fret when played open. I've slackend the screws holding the springs a touch (thus allowing the back of the trem to rise) and the buzz has gone so result there.

Trem still pretty much on the body though so need to go further... Am I doing this right? I've seen a Fender document that recommends a classic floating setting with a 3mm gap, seems I'd have to loosen the screws quite a bit more for that to happen. Any danger in doing this? I can see the threads already...

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Wed May 11, 2011 4:33 pm

hibidy wrote:They don't differ much (if at all) They sound really great......FAR better than I expected TBH. The reason I went back and got the trem version is because the necks are just Really extra playable to me.......FFS, I haven't even done anything to them setup wise

I think though the hardtail one is gonna get re-wired to have it be H/s/middle both/s/H as the weird setup isn't quite right (H/Parallel neck/Middle both/both single/H) It's a better setup for the whammy one IMHO.

wait, I'm confused...you bought two guitars and not one...each for 599 a piece? If that's the case it changes everything I said

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Wed May 11, 2011 11:18 pm

hibidy wrote:I think though the hardtail one is gonna get re-wired to have it be H/s/middle both/s/H as the weird setup isn't quite right (H/Parallel neck/Middle both/both single/H) It's a better setup for the whammy one IMHO.

I pulled out my #2 Ibanez this morning to try out the stock switching and still really like how it works with the Tone Zone and PAF Pro. I think that's the ticket if you're going to stick with that switch.

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Wed May 11, 2011 11:26 pm

Thanks. I'm really happy with the pups........surprisingly.

Both have annoying issues though (which I'm certain can be fixed)

The edgepro wants to go completely sharp when I pull back. Easy solution......don't pull back OR push down to reset

Haven't tried the chapstick on the knife edges yet, could have been something I did changing the strings (the edge pro is a bit odd

)

Now, the hardtail is really just a beauty but what is the deal with graphite nuts and wanting to "pinch" the strings

Any guitar (including the ibby I sent back) has had this issue. I see to remember trying 3 in 1 or something similar but it didn't work. There HAS to be a way! It's mostly the G sting and what happens is you tune up but if it's sharp and you try to back off the string a bit...it won't move......except of course when you bend the string

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:36 am

hibidy wrote:Thanks. I'm really happy with the pups........surprisingly.

Both have annoying issues though (which I'm certain can be fixed)

The edgepro wants to go completely sharp when I pull back. Easy solution......don't pull back OR push down to reset Haven't tried the chapstick on the knife edges yet, could have been something I did changing the strings (the edge pro is a bit odd )

Now, the hardtail is really just a beauty but what is the deal with graphite nuts and wanting to "pinch" the strings Any guitar (including the ibby I sent back) has had this issue. I see to remember trying 3 in 1 or something similar but it didn't work. There HAS to be a way! It's mostly the G sting and what happens is you tune up but if it's sharp and you try to back off the string a bit...it won't move......except of course when you bend the string

change the nut

http://www.guitarpartsdepot.com/Guitar_ ... rvana.html

http://www.guitarpartsdepot.com/Guitar_ ... dware.html

P.T. · Post by **P.T.** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:28 am

That nut needs some filing to open up the slot.
It may have been made for lighter gauge strings, or it may have been poorly cut to begin with.

I see this even on fairly expensive new guitars with the factory installed strings.

nix808 · Post by **nix808** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:41 am

Hey garyg

,
I suggest you open it up to 3mm if you want to bend that far.
An option so you don't have to loosen the screws is to pull out the middle spring. It's nicely arranged in 5 springs, so you can run as many as you need.
Hope you have a ball on it!

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:42 am

P.T. wrote:That nut needs some filing to open up the slot.
It may have been made for lighter gauge strings, or it may have been poorly cut to begin with.

I see this even on fairly expensive new guitars with the factory installed strings.

Yeah, that is what I was thinking, BUT this is the 3 guitar I've had with a graphite nut that did the same thing, and one of them had a little work done it*. String gauge isn't it, though that is always a good suggestion.

Nothing I'm complaining about can't be fixed, I'm 100% sure of that. GC has tech guys now but I don't know about trusting them (the guy at the store I bought it from used to be a saleguy.....not really a great sign in my book

)

*I was not impressed with that tech

nix808 · Post by **nix808** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:54 am

Hey H.,
I guess you want the smallest round needle file you can find.
Then you could do it yourself if ya wanna.
Cheers
They have tapered points, so it may be possible to do it with a standard one, hmm

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:09 am

What I need is a hadron collider sized magnifying glass so I can see!

susiwong · Post by **susiwong** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:10 am

It's is definitely a problem with the slots.
Graphite is not the issue, on the contrary, great autolubricating (?) material.
Check out how PRS file their slots, they are perfect.

Hard to describe in words ...
You want the slots to open up slightly towards the headstock, both left/right and towards the back of the neck, to minimize the contact area.
This is not exactly trivial, and a good tech can do it in 10 mins, so don't try this at home but invest the $15 or whatever for a pro job.
Little money for a once-in-a-lifetime thing ...
Ymmv,
susiwong

nix808 · Post by **nix808** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:25 am

hibidy wrote:What I need is a hadron collider sized magnifying glass so I can see!

Hink recommends those ones you wear.
Maybe Susi is right though, I imagine we need some rare little files, and a practiced hand not astray.

hibidy · Post by **hibidy** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:40 am

susiwong wrote:It's is definitely a problem with the slots.
Graphite is not the issue, on the contrary, great autolubricating (?) material.
Check out how PRS file their slots, they are perfect.
Hard to describe in words ...
You want the slots to open up slightly towards the headstock, both left/right and towards the back of the neck, to minimize the contact area.
This is not exactly trivial, and a good tech can do it in 10 mins, so don't try this at home but invest the $15 or whatever for a pro job.
Little money for a once-in-a-lifetime thing ...
Ymmv,
susiwong

Always good to hear from you! (actually, I really really really like the people in this thread

)

@PRS: The one uncle e bought from me had this issue to some extent. Now, it's minor. It's not this horrible things that just ruins everything but when 3 (one SE the other two "prestige" ibby's) have had the issue, I'm suspicious.

The key to the tech is "good"

I don't think the sacramento are is conducive to good techs. I've had a TERRIBLE time with techs here

It's bad enough to the point where I think I'll drive to SF and have that gary brower..bower.....whatever guy do it. He's the dude that does Satriani's guitars and is an ibby authorized center. Expensive but my odds are better I'll get 'er done.....if you know what I mean

Hink · Post by **Hink** » Thu May 12, 2011 5:43 am

nix808 wrote:
hibidy wrote:What I need is a hadron collider sized magnifying glass so I can see!
Hink recommends those ones you wear.
Maybe Susi is right though, I imagine we need some rare little files, and a practiced hand not astray.

hobby shops have the files and yeah the magnifying goggles are great...but just because someone is a salesman is no reason to worry about his luthier skills...but if you ask me unless it's serious give it some time, if it's really affecting your tone and playing then have it done...if not and it's just aggravating, well it's graphite imho any unnatural points of contact will take care of themselves. Guitars need a little 'breaking in'

P.T. · Post by **P.T.** » Thu May 12, 2011 6:00 am

Not new guitar exactly, but I have a basswood Bullet Strat that I am thinking about putting a Dimarzio PAF Pro and a Fred into.

I tried an Ibanez with that combo today and I liked the sound.
I've been wanting to change the pickups in this.

I will keep the middle pickup and wire it 5 way.

I want to avoid the problem of too much bass in the neck pickup and I think the paf pro should work.
The Fred has a nice tonal balance that isn't too mid range.

Your next guitar?