Your next guitar revisited

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Hink wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 2:35 am btw that's from these guys

http://www.visionaryinstruments.com/about/
You read my mind. :)

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:tu:

I hope I see Ben and a mutual friend from MARs, they came up once to Bangor to go to a Phish concert, they tried reaching me but alas I wasn't around...they both vow to get up here...the other guy, Ethan, great FOH sound guy...I wet fromMARs to Daddy's Junky Music, then the kings of used gear. I knew Ethan wanted a certain Panasonic DAT machine but couldn't afford it. At daddy's a kid I worked with was doing a trade on one, we had to come up with the numbers using orion and daddy's own log of every used piece sold. He was unsure so I told him because dat was dying he should put a low min on it...he did...I called Ethan and told him (I forget what it was but it was ridiculous low), I made no money off of it but Ethan drove almost from RI to southern NH to buy it...the kid was pissed because we got a piece of everything we bought too (called 2man)...of course I made nothing either, but I didn't care...Ethan is not with VI...but a great guy
The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound, purpose‐larger‐than‐the‐self kind of understanding.

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cptgone wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:39 pm Saving up for a one-string ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyFE1-kFKxE
It sounds complete.
Currently trying to turn noise into music. :neutral: Is boutique the new old?

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Image

Got my eye on a Schecter Demon-6. Yet to try out. Unlikely to do so during the pandemic so might just order online and cross my fingers. Read some great things about it. Not crazy about the Floyd Rose system but at least it should stay in tune! Should be fine for dropping down low.

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cptgone wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:39 pm Saving up for a one-string ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyFE1-kFKxE
lol
I remember this.
I think he even competed in a talent show here.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertai ... ng_8098942


rsp
sound sculptist

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It’s very rare that I get to post here... I think my last new guitar was sometime around 2008 when I bought my Koa Strat. I was totally ignorant about guitars at that time, but I’ve learned a lot more since then.

What I’ve really been wanting was something that had more of a Les Paul humbucker, higher gain output, but could also work for a Jazzmaster-ish shoegaze low-mid wall of fuzz with a wobbly tremolo. There aren’t a huge number of candidates that fit that bill, and being a fairly mediocre player, I really didn’t want to spend thousands on a high end instrument.

After endless research looking at company websites, watching YouTube demos and reviews, Kevin Shields interviews, and forum debates, I finally found what I was looking for. I’m pleased to report that I was able to go to a local *cough* Guitar Center, which was actually still open for hands-on demoing, and pulled the trigger on one of these.

https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/col ... 2507210506

I’ve had it for a couple of hours now, and have been lost in a shoegaze-ish patch I quickly cooked up on my Helix floorboard. I have a Chase Bliss Automatone arriving tomorrow, which should make for all kinds of lovely overdrive and fuzz through some of my other pedals.

I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality, considering it was made in China. I went to the store expecting to be disappointed and having to spend an additional $2K for the pro model, but that was not the case. It feels solid, everything works as expected, no sharp edges or other signs of cheap workmanship. The pickups are just what I was looking for- humbuckers but without super high gain, and somewhere between the round Les Paul tone and the sharpness of a Jazzmaster.

I’m ordering one of these to improve tuning stability. https://bricksbiggsfix.com/

If anyone has any recommendations for other hardware changes- tuners, pots, nut, etc. I’d love to hear them. The Biggsfix is easy enough to install myself, but any significant mods I’ll have done by an expert when I get it set up.
Incomplete list of my gear: 1/8" audio input jack.

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IME, the issue with Bisby’s is with the bridge, not the Bigsby itself. For example, you’ll see on the Gretsch forums that the Tru-Arc and Compton bridges are the most recommended upgrades. I’ve even gotten great tuning performance just by using those cheap roller tuneamatic bridges.

Also, vibrato tuning improves when you push down as much as you pull up. Let me know if you want me to elaborate (I’ll keep it short in case you already know).

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Uncle E wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 3:38 am IME, the issue with Bisby’s is with the bridge, not the Bigsby itself. For example, you’ll see on the Gretsch forums that the Tru-Arc and Compton bridges are the most recommended upgrades. I’ve even gotten great tuning performance just by using those cheap roller tuneamatic bridges.

Also, vibrato tuning improves when you push down as much as you pull up. Let me know if you want me to elaborate (I’ll keep it short in case you already know).
I’ll look up the Tru-Arc and Compton.

Thinking in modular synth terms, I assume what you’re saying with the tremolo is to modulate the bar in a bipolar way about the resting position?

Given that I get a new guitar so rarely, it’s worth it to me to put a bit more into customizing this one up front so it’ll perform the best it can for another decade or so. Keep in mind that I’m not playing gigs or anything- strictly bedroom recordings here, direct without an amp- so I’m mostly interested in mods that will enhance stability or tone. Are there even any replacement pickups on the market for Gretsch? They kind of seem like their own thing.
Incomplete list of my gear: 1/8" audio input jack.

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Yes, like bipolar modulation. For example, in Shoegaze, you usually push the bar down and bring it back up to pitch. If you follow that up with a quick tug sharp, you can often get the strings back in tune.

Everything the guy says at bricksbiggsfix.com is accurate and makes sense, and the device probably is worth getting. Just make sure to install a Tru-Arc, some locking tuners, and a Delrin nut first since those will make an even bigger difference.

TV Jones are the most highly regarded Gretsch pickup replacements. That's what Brian Setzer uses. Standard Gretsch Filtertrons will also be an upgrade over the Black Tops.

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btw, I'm seeing a lot of people also recommending the Brick's Biggs Fix Super Squishy Spring:

https://bricksbiggsfix.com/product/sss/

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What is the address for Tru—arc? Searching on Google turns up some rather confusing results.

Which tuners would you recommend?

Yes, I’m ordering the squishy spring too. :)
Incomplete list of my gear: 1/8" audio input jack.

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https://www.truarcbridgeworks.com/

From looking at them, it seems like these Grovers will work the best:

https://www.wdmusic.com/grover-3-per-si ... tails.html

However, call WD to make sure. The last thing you want to do is drill holes in the back of the headstock just because the screws don't line up. These might also work:

https://www.wdmusic.com/gotoh-3-per-sid ... tails.html
https://www.wdmusic.com/grover-3-per-si ... tails.html
https://www.wdmusic.com/wd-music-produc ... tails.html

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Uncle E wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:38 am https://www.truarcbridgeworks.com/

From looking at them, it seems like these Grovers will work the best:

https://www.wdmusic.com/grover-3-per-si ... tails.html

However, call WD to make sure. The last thing you want to do is drill holes in the back of the headstock just because the screws don't line up. These might also work:

https://www.wdmusic.com/gotoh-3-per-sid ... tails.html
https://www.wdmusic.com/grover-3-per-si ... tails.html
https://www.wdmusic.com/wd-music-produc ... tails.html
Thanks for all the advice! I've ordered the biggsfix and squishy spring, and emailed Tru-arc to verify the model of bridge I'll need to order. I'll check with WD about tuners tomorrow!

The only other comment I've seen is that the nut slots often need filing, but I'll leave that to an experienced tech. Well, I've also seen people talk about replacing all the electronics and the pickups, but I'm happy with the pickups and haven't noticed any issues with the electronics.
Incomplete list of my gear: 1/8" audio input jack.

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Rather than getting the current nut filed, you’ll be better off replacing it with a Delrin nut. That’s what Gretsch uses on their high-end guitars.

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