The guitar string (thread)

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Bumping this thread.

Anyone ever got their instrument “set up”?

I usually adjust on the fly and according to feel.

Never actually used any tools or measurements.

Wondering if it makes a big difference.

Setup is a must .You will notice the difference like night and day.More so with a Tune o matic bridge setup.It gets rid of string buzz, dead spots and sorts out the action of the strings.This imo greatly reduces string fatigue on your fingers.I run heavy guage strings and generally tune to drop c or C# standard.Not all the time you would need truss rod adjustment when drop tuning.I never had an issue with Ibanez guitars in this regard.The Fenders and Deans I had, definitely needed to be set up, frets filed etc.Learn to do it or get it done by a pro.Jonathon Krogh or Devin Harripaul I can recommend.
Unless you are Kurt Cobain and smash your guitars after every gig....

[Animal Pak]

All my guitar heroes used a Floyd Rose trem.

I said well I have to get this.

I got a Jackson with one.

I absolutely hate it.

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Learn to do setups yourself with that Flloyd Rose, because you are going to be doing it every time you change strings.
You even use the trem?
I never saw the need for it tbh.I use a Dunlop Cry Baby

All my guitar heroes used a Floyd Rose trem.

I said well I have to get this.

I got a Jackson with one.

I absolutely hate it.

[InDeForest]

Happy to see this thread still alive.
The floyd rose is a pain because there is no inherent tuning stability, if you change one string, or it bursts, or you change string gauges, the pivoting bridge plate shifts its rest position. Even bending one note, lowers the tuning of the others, as the bending force raises the bridge plate.
Basically it is a balancing act between string tension and the setting of the rear springs tension.
The most common modification I do to floyds is to block them from movement entirely.

'Setups' are essential to correct intonation, and to set string heights so there is maximum playing comfort but no rattling or obscured notes. Also a good downtime for a cleaning and inspection of electronic and hardware parts.

-Jonathan Krogh

[Animal Pak]

Totally agree.

I hardly use the Floyd because I find when I changed strings from 10s to 9s they broke way way too quickly.

Then you have to retune everything which takes some time to get right.

I use a zoom 50g pedal.

I like variety and music equipment is expensive as fcuk

[bamfo_dennis]

whey in el socorro area does sell violin string n dem ting? it have music store in trinidad?

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whey in el socorro area does sell violin string n dem ting? it have music store in trinidad?

Not sure about El Soccorro
Sasu -Mid Center Chaguanas
Simon's POS
R&S Sando

[gt4tified]

Thread bump. Been trying to figure out the intro (acoustic guitar) for Militant's "Hot and Groovy", with no great success. Any takers?

[shogun]

For sale locally. Pretty hefty claim, but pretty famous local artist involved in sale.

Vintage Gibson SG 1961, Owned by Howard Lindeman, used by Sir Paul Mc Cartney on wings debut album.

[maj. tom]

I picked this up recently. Boss GX-100.
Rel next level effects and AIRD sounds way, way better than the older COSM modelling I had from Boss. The thing sounds like real cabs just cranking out the exact studio or live sound you want with a lot on tweaking on the software, like about 3 hours!

This is matching a lot of what Line 6 Helix unit offers and cost way less. Currently has a loading cab Impulse Response bug so hoping they patch it with a firmware update before the year done. The Tone Studio software also needs some work. But it has blown me away, never thought I could achieve such types of sounds as a "can't really play guitar" amateur. Can't wait to waste 90+ man hours trying to get the exact studio mix sound of The Wall album.

[viedcht]

^Got that locally?

[maj. tom]

Nah. Transported in my suitcase.

edit: An ear sample through my phone raw recording https://sndup.net/xz3x/

Raw track from GX-100 through mic'd amp into Studio One.
tone http://sndup.net/s48r

[maj. tom]

I think I finally got a dotted 8th note delay right with this FX unit.

Stereo headphones recommended because of how I mixed the tracks.

https://whyp.it/tracks/111216/streets-u2-delay8th-127bpm-demo-doubletrack-stereomix-0065

[maj. tom]

I got disillusioned at how muddy and awful one of my favourite guitars sounded. Hardly wanted to pick it up. Then I realized that the pickups were really good actually, it was all the other hardware. So I bought 500K CTS pots 2 Log, 2 Linear, Switchcraft output jack and Switchcraft 3-way switch to replace them. About $120 USD total. Taking out the stock hardware was easy enough with this hollow body. The stock pots were really bad. Completely wrong resistance readings on each of them. The CTS pots are quality and have exact resistance readings. But everything else stock was ok, even surprisingly very good wire harness with shielded wires and clips! I put a 150K Ohm resistor in parallel on a 1 nF cap on the Master Volume, and used back the stock 22 nF polycap on the Master Tone.

Had to carefully drill 3/8" holes in the wood over the existing metric holes, but that really wasn't a problem. Everything fit snug and perfectly after drilling. I really took about 3 hours to reassemble after the new soldering, I needed cutlass wire in the end to maneuver the pieces in with the hollow f-holes. Difficult to do hollow body work without the right tools. Then I realized that the metric Gretsch switch cover won't fit on Switchcraft.... but I just screwed it back anyway. I won't buy a replacement. All the hardware knobs fit also without a problem. Now it's like a brand new guitar, with the lovely sounding non-expensive Filter-Trons that come with the Electromatic series. But they really sound great! It was the extremely shiitty stock pots and switches that made it all muddy and dull. I'm happy as ever and it sounds like a good high end Country-Gentleman I tested at a store.

[Les Bain]

A Gretsch

[meccalli]

Quality pots and hardware can definitely bring out the best.
Haven't played in a while but recently tried to actively practice so I don't get compeltely rusty.

[st7]

B, you hiding talent from we... also you evolving into Devan lol

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Awesome!!!

[maj. tom]

meccalli is a master. Somewhere earlier in the thread he did a Tornado of Souls expert level.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

maj. tom I have an el cheapo Fender Starcaster and one of the knobs and pole of the pot broke off. The metal shaft of the pot disintegrated.
I got a Tone Shaper wiring kit with the pots, wires etc. but too chicken to DIY.
How difficult is it to do? YT vids look fairly easy

[maj. tom]

Did you get an HH kit? The Starcaster are 2 humbuckers. Once you have the kits it's quite easy because everything laid out and they have wiring diagrams. But CTS pots are imperial size so you have to drill holes, as the Fender/Squire Starcaster is made in China metric.

The only real trick is reassembly, and I used cutlass wire to get everything back in the holes.

If you want I'll do it for you.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Did you get an HH kit? The Starcaster are 2 humbuckers. Once you have the kits it's quite easy because everything laid out and they have wiring diagrams. But CTS pots are imperial size so you have to drill holes, as the Fender/Squire Starcaster is made in China metric.

The only real trick is reassembly, and I used cutlass wire to get everything back in the holes.

If you want I'll do it for you.

The serial number on the guitar is CXS
And yes made in China

This is the kit I got. Hope it’s the right one

https://www.amazon.com/ToneShaper-Guita ... B00ZO92VSQ
I bought this since July 2021 during covid and never installed it lol

[maj. tom]

The switch is wrong for a Starcaster. The right kit is actually this https://toneshapers.com/products/tonesh ... ern-wiring


You sure the guitar you have it's Starcaster and not Stratocaster? Because that's two different designs.
Edit: you better take a picture, because I'm thinking of an old Fender Starcaster that's hollow body.

[InDeForest]

Duane you should have no problems with your diy efforts. Just loosen or remove strings, unscrew the pickguard, trans-plant in the new parts and carefully follow the logic of the diagram, being careful with the tone controls wiring, which often vary from one diagram to the next. Also when soldering, don't dwell on a joint too long and overheat the contacts with the soldering iron, get it hot enough that solder flows well from the contact to the wire, but dont heat the sheit out of it.

[meccalli]

B, you hiding talent from we... also you evolving into Devan lol

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

The switch is wrong for a Starcaster. The right kit is actually this https://toneshapers.com/products/tonesh ... ern-wiring


You sure the guitar you have it's Starcaster and not Stratocaster? Because that's two different designs.
Edit: you better take a picture, because I'm thinking of an old Fender Starcaster that's hollow body.

Definitely a Starcaster
I checked the link - that is 4 POTs and my guitar is 3

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Duane you should have no problems with your diy efforts. Just loosen or remove strings, unscrew the pickguard, trans-plant in the new parts and carefully follow the logic of the diagram, being careful with the tone controls wiring, which often vary from one diagram to the next. Also when soldering, don't dwell on a joint too long and overheat the contacts with the soldering iron, get it hot enough that solder flows well from the contact to the wire, but dont heat the sheit out of it.

OK thanks!
I can solder - have some experience with that lol
I'm thinking to just change that one POT and not all the wiring and all the other POTs
Cause complete rewiring just looking like trouble for inexperienced me

[maj. tom]

There were two Starcasters released by Fender. The top one is for the link I sent, the bottom one pictured here is correct for what you already bought.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

The black and white is the one I have.
Wasnt aware there was a Gibson type Starcaster!