|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 21, 2021 23:24:27 GMT -6
I have always been a luddite when it comes to guitar setups...meh - takes too long...costs too much...I can do it myself, blah blah blah. Well, I finally gave up on a new strat I bought last year - just terribly frustrating. Nut intonation issues, trem was such a mess that I just blocked it off, neck angle to the bridge/saddle height was causing intonation issues. Just above my pay grade. So I took her in. And holy shit - what a complete moron I've been for all these years. It's like a completely new instrument. It makes me sound like I can play better. It's a joy to play now. Now I'm gonna make this a habit.
|
|
|
|
Post by notneeson on May 22, 2021 10:46:46 GMT -6
I keep having my guitars put on the Plek only to find out they need a refret or more.
It’s expensive, but they come back better than ever.
And the fret wear makes sense these are 20-40 year old instruments.
|
|
|
|
Post by ragan on May 22, 2021 13:20:56 GMT -6
I really enjoy setting up my guitars but I have a great luthier for times when I just can't get it feeling right or it needs something I'm not gonna do (re-fret, neck reset, etc). Which reminds me I need to have him replace a couple frets on my Martin. Too many cowboy chords from me I guess.
|
|
|
|
Post by johneppstein on May 22, 2021 14:43:13 GMT -6
Congratulations!
|
|
|
|
Post by popmann on May 22, 2021 19:44:43 GMT -6
You'll have to tell me who you used in town....because my "story" is that I always did my own setups and ELECTRIC guitar work because everyone I took them to was worse at it than me....until I took it to Joe at Corner after moving here. I took every guitar to him for probably 20 years before he retired. I mean I guess I still tweaked a little for seasonal changes or something, but at least when I bought a new one, it went straight to him for him to "make it as good as it can be"---and I just maintained that really.
Since he retired, I've been putting it off. His replacement did "fine" while he was still there....and so I know in theory....that's where I should go....but, I'm to the point where they ALL need fret dresses--maybe a few replacements so they don't have to take so much metal off the rest....covid punted that longer....anyway....mine really need some "above my pay grade" teching.
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 22, 2021 21:01:22 GMT -6
You'll have to tell me who you used in town....because my "story" is that I always did my own setups and ELECTRIC guitar work because everyone I took them to was worse at it than me....until I took it to Joe at Corner after moving here. I took every guitar to him for probably 20 years before he retired. I mean I guess I still tweaked a little for seasonal changes or something, but at least when I bought a new one, it went straight to him for him to "make it as good as it can be"---and I just maintained that really. Since he retired, I've been putting it off. His replacement did "fine" while he was still there....and so I know in theory....that's where I should go....but, I'm to the point where they ALL need fret dresses--maybe a few replacements so they don't have to take so much metal off the rest....covid punted that longer....anyway....mine really need some "above my pay grade" teching. Well, I’m not a setup aficionado lol...but it’s Chris at Nashville Used Music. I actually used him to re-glue some binding on my really nice Martin - and he did a fantastic job. Gruhn’s literally took more than a month the last time I took it in. Ridiculous. I took it in Thursday, got it back Tuesday, I think. Glazer is just as bad. Anyway - thought I’d try him out for the strat. Took it in Wednesday, got it back Friday. Crazy. He’s super knowledgeable and friendly. A very rare commodity in guitar world it seems. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 22, 2021 21:03:38 GMT -6
Btw - one of my main concerns was getting the intonation right around the lower frets. He went so far as to fill in the nut and re-file after he got the neck right. Really awesome job.
|
|
|
|
Post by popmann on May 23, 2021 11:27:33 GMT -6
Thanks....I do need some work done. My tele's bone nut has "widened" on the high E string....I've done my temp thing of super glue and bone shavings to get by, but it just comes back....with Joe, I'd have taken it in long ago and gone "renut it....dress/replace whatever frets...." snd he'd be backlogged a week or so, but I'm never in a BIG hurry....when I have been he accommodated knowing usually I let him take what he needs in terms of time.
what's the old saying?....done well, done cheap, done fast----pick two, because you can ONLY have two!!
|
|
|
|
Post by srb on May 24, 2021 19:27:53 GMT -6
A great setup guy is indispensable. Mine has worked wonders on a couple of my guitars. He builds, too, so he has refined insight. One thing's for sure: anything I take to him returns better than it left here.
|
|
|
|
Post by wiz on May 25, 2021 17:45:18 GMT -6
I have a lot of guitars... like many of you.....25.... "Hi, my name is Wiz and I am a guitar addict....."
I finally went and spent some money and bought all the tools I need, Stew Mac and Music Nomad....and. have just been going through all my guitars....stripping them, cleaning everything getting rid of 20 to 30 years of junk in some cases... been kinda fun...
The tools from music nomad have been great.... great truss rod and string height gauges....its been nice having everything in one place...
Been learning lots and its been quite rewarding.... and the guitars are playing great...
cheers
Wiz
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 27, 2021 0:53:17 GMT -6
I have a lot of guitars... like many of you.....25.... "Hi, my name is Wiz and I am a guitar addict....." I finally went and spent some money and bought all the tools I need, Stew Mac and Music Nomad....and. have just been going through all my guitars....stripping them, cleaning everything getting rid of 20 to 30 years of junk in some cases... been kinda fun... The tools from music nomad have been great.... great truss rod and string height gauges....its been nice having everything in one place... Been learning lots and its been quite rewarding.... and the guitars are playing great... cheers Wiz I’m not sure I could do what this guy did. He’s a witch. |
|
|
|
Post by gwlee7 on May 27, 2021 7:24:52 GMT -6
I have a lot of guitars... like many of you.....25.... "Hi, my name is Wiz and I am a guitar addict....." I finally went and spent some money and bought all the tools I need, Stew Mac and Music Nomad....and. have just been going through all my guitars....stripping them, cleaning everything getting rid of 20 to 30 years of junk in some cases... been kinda fun... The tools from music nomad have been great.... great truss rod and string height gauges....its been nice having everything in one place... Been learning lots and its been quite rewarding.... and the guitars are playing great... cheers Wiz I "only" have 13 or 14 but I think I will be doing this too. wiz what specific music nomad tools did you get? Stew Mac seems to price his stuff kinda high although if the quality is worth the extra price I don't mind paying it. |
|
|
|
Post by sean on May 27, 2021 7:25:38 GMT -6
Recently I've been taking all my guitars to get set up/minor repairs. Pick one up, drop one off. I had this Gibson SG Melody Maker which is a real piece of shit build wise but it's fun to play. But, the G string would go out of tune after about a minute of playing hard. Got a new bone nut and a set up it now I can enjoy it in tune!. Dropped it up after getting my Rickenbacker 450/12 set up, and dropped off my 72' Telecaster Deluxe reissue for a bone nut and set up. It makes a lovely "sitar" sound with an open string and while the pencil markings in the nut is a "quick" fix, ready to get it down right.
I need to make a visit to Nashville Used Music. Every time I go there I buy something like an electric mandolin, haha.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ward on May 27, 2021 10:54:24 GMT -6
I have a lot of guitars... like many of you.....25....SNIP Wiz I'm down to 81 |
|
|
|
Post by Ward on May 27, 2021 10:55:08 GMT -6
I have a lot of guitars... like many of you.....25.... "Hi, my name is Wiz and I am a guitar addict....." I finally went and spent some money and bought all the tools I need, Stew Mac and Music Nomad....and. have just been going through all my guitars....stripping them, cleaning everything getting rid of 20 to 30 years of junk in some cases... been kinda fun... The tools from music nomad have been great.... great truss rod and string height gauges....its been nice having everything in one place... Been learning lots and its been quite rewarding.... and the guitars are playing great... cheers Wiz I’m not sure I could do what this guy did. He’s a witch. Try the zero-fret nut replacement from Stew-Mac. Unbelievable |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on May 27, 2021 15:31:16 GMT -6
I have a lot of guitars... like many of you.....25.... "Hi, my name is Wiz and I am a guitar addict....." I finally went and spent some money and bought all the tools I need, Stew Mac and Music Nomad....and. have just been going through all my guitars....stripping them, cleaning everything getting rid of 20 to 30 years of junk in some cases... been kinda fun... The tools from music nomad have been great.... great truss rod and string height gauges....its been nice having everything in one place... Been learning lots and its been quite rewarding.... and the guitars are playing great... cheers Wiz ......26...... 8) |
|
|
|
Post by Guitar on Jun 1, 2021 8:30:46 GMT -6
I'm a died in the wood DIY'er, but I learned so much from initial tech/luthier experiences, as well as a close friend who graduated Luthier school.
Got a bunch of Stew Mac tools, some cheap eBay things, some Music Nomad, been hacking away at it for decades, and getting some good results. Buying tools slowly over time works. Probably next up would be a router or two.
About to do my first and second "solo" re-frets. Recently learned fret leveling and fall off/fall away. Been doing nuts for a while. Finish work is not a strong area for me, but I do it anyway.
Just put tuners on one of my basses, about to add a little Hipshot string retainer to it for sauce points.
I tell myself I'm saving money, upgrading decent instruments to their potential, etc, but really I just enjoy the work, and can't play a guitar that's not "perfect."
I'm not nearly on the Dan Erlewine level but watching his videos gives a lot of insight. As well as other talented luthiers on the web.
|
|
|
|
Post by Guitar on Jun 8, 2021 3:22:09 GMT -6
Here's my latest guitar setup work, two Supro reissues, made in asia from Dave Koltai's company. I have two other Supros not pictured (one vintage.) The one on the left got a little nut tweak, stained the fretboard (it was too pale,) rolled the fingerboard edges, dressed the fret corners. Replaced the wooden bridge with a tune o matic for tuning stability and better tone. Removed the 'graphics' from the pickups. This guitar is a tone monster. I had been sleeping on it until now, no more, it's going to be played in regular fashion. I think it needs Grover keystone tuners for the finishing touch. The one on the right got a rolled fingerboard edge (was really sharp, ouch,) dressed fret corners/edges, tweaked the nut (G string again), after this photo I removed the tone pot and converted it to a one vol / one switch guitar, which helped a lot. It was too dark stock and the vol knob is in the way. It's brighter now and more comfortable to play with the volume knob moved out of the way. Also cut a custom pickguard for this guitar, the tortoise you see. It looks a lot better than the plain black it came with, which was just drab. And a while back it got a Switchcraft toggle, and I cut out the "S" logos from the pickup tops, they were catching my fingers. Neck is really comfortable now, tone is improved, not so muddy, with the higher Z electronics section. Now it sounds like a 'gold foil' guitar to my mind. Almost put this one on the chopping block until I came up with the one volume no tone idea.  |
|
