Members EricJohn Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 I've been lukewarm on the Tele that I've been playing for the last year and 8 months. Felt like it was fighting me when I tried to play it. Adjusted the truss rod last night and lowered the action and I'll be damned if I can't put it down right now!!! Anybody else ever have that experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wader2k Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 I had one guitar that I really liked. On a lark I had it "professionally" set up a few years back. I hated it. Took me the better part of 6 months fussing with it to get it back the way I liked it. Nobody touches my stuff any more. Don't get me wrong....it was probably better in some respects. Some of the lower string fret buzz was gone. But I never even noticed it before they messed with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cephus Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 I have a couple guitars like that. I have this junky squier mongrel that I have been messing with and it was OK. It had a couple low frets and I finally bit the bullet and paid to have it leveled. that is a really good guitar now. I have another guitar that I paid to get set up and the action was way too low. I let it sit in protest for a couple months before I took it out and slapped a set of 11s on it. Now the thing has some macho action and sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Stricken Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 Anybody else ever have that experience? Yes. I had a bunch of wood blocks propped inside the trem cavity of my RG with some crappy old strings and dull frets. Ripped it apart, polished the frets, cleaned the dust off of every little part, then took the time to adjust the neck relief AND intonation, then let the trem float instead of blocking it off. Loved the new feel and resonance it had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrChitlins Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 Pretty much every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jds22 Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 If you really want to transform your guitars, learn how to do your own fret leveling and crowning. It's actually pretty simple and can make a world of difference in the playability of your guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Stricken Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 If you really want to transform your guitars, learn how to do your own fret leveling and crowning. It's actually pretty simple and can make a world of difference in the playability of your guitars. Out of curiosity, how does one level a neck with a compound radius? I understand they make radius blocks that you can use for straight radius necks, but compound I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EricJohn Posted August 26, 2011 Author Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 If you really want to transform your guitars, learn how to do your own fret leveling and crowning. It's actually pretty simple and can make a world of difference in the playability of your guitars. could you post some resources on that? Would greatly appreciate it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 Its even more amazing to me when guitar or bass players dont do setups on their instruments when they get them and 1-2 times a yr for weather changes ref truss rod tweaks. Setting up ones instrument is basic part of maintanance from day one imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wayne2 Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 I decided I wanted the action lowered, and took it to a pro. Best money I've spent in a while. Made it much easier to play and just about eliminated the pain I was getting in my wrist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vikingrat Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 Something that retailers should make note of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashasha Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 If you really want to transform your guitars, learn how to do your own fret leveling and crowning. It's actually pretty simple and can make a world of difference in the playability of your guitars.Yep. I started on some real cheap ass guitars and they didn't sound great, but they played fantastic. I'm still kind of apprehensive about going that route on my more expensive guitars and to be hones they usually don't need it, but if you've got something that you like the way it sounds but are struggling with to play a good level and crown and proper setup is like industrial strength turd polish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wader2k Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 I'd like to have a fret job done on my Yamaha SBG2000 neckthru.....but I'm afraid to let anyone touch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vikingrat Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 I'd like to have a fret job done on my Yamaha SBG2000 neckthru.....but I'm afraid to let anyone touch it. I'm the same with my Beck Strat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 If you really want to transform your guitars, learn how to do your own fret leveling and crowning. It's actually pretty simple and can make a world of difference in the playability of your guitars. This times a bazillion. But I went ballistic after I learned. I finally learned not to level every stankin' fret if it has just a couple high ones. I just hit 'em with a crowning tool so they match their brethren. Just polishing the frets and cleaning up the ends can make a guitar feel like a new instrument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrockbridge Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 When a guitar is out of adjustment, it can feel and sound bad. So, yes, sometimes a setup makes a huge difference in the feel and sound. I think every guitar player should learn about setting up a guitar...including how to make truss rod adjustments, action adjustments and adjustments of the saddles to achieve the best compromise in intonation, playability and sound. I've gotten better each time I've done a guitar setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 My definition of a good guitar is one that can be set up well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 My definition of a good guitar is one that can be set up well.Any guitar can be set up well if the neck is straight. But usually the more expensive guitars are easier to set up. A properly cut nut makes a world of difference as well. 90% of the guitars at your average GC have nut slots that are too shallow.So every guy needs to know how to do his own nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted August 26, 2011 Members Share Posted August 26, 2011 Yeah, of course. Which is why there's some truth to the idea that in skilled hands, a Squier can be just as good as an American Fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shadesofcraig Posted August 27, 2011 Members Share Posted August 27, 2011 I'd like to have a fret job done on my Yamaha SBG2000 neckthru.....but I'm afraid to let anyone touch it. Yeah I have an 86 MIJ Blue Floral Fender Telecaster I would like to get a fret job on but I am worried about letting anyone touch it. It still has some life in it, but it is going to need one. Was my main guitar for like 10 years so it got a lot of use... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shadesofcraig Posted August 27, 2011 Members Share Posted August 27, 2011 I'm the same with my Beck Strat. Hey J, I didn't know you had a Beck Strat... Was it one of the original ones?? Still too bad you didn't get that Jeff Beck owned guitar.. I would of... Still want that Jazzmaster too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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