Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: Rainmaker on August 28, 2005, 04:39:59 PM
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Intonation, tuning, changing pickups, adjusting the truss rod, changing strings, filing frets, replacing frets, ebonizing the fretboard... etc.
Please pass me some sites - I'm eager and ready to learn (sounds like a porno slogan... not that I'd know).
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Don't know of any links/URL's, but ages ago, Guitar Buyer mag did a little supplement on setups, which was pretty good IMO.
Intonation: Tune the string to the harmonic at the 12th, then fret the 12th, still using your tuner. If there is no difference in the note on the tuner, then your intonation is spot on. If the fretted note is sharp, then you need to move the saddle BACK (towards the bridge) a bit, then try the note again, playing the harmonic anf fretted 12th. If the note id flat, then you need to move the saddle FORWARD towards the neck. Keep checking as you go, and only move the saddle say a quarter turn of the adjusting screw.
Tuning: Harmonic on the 12th.
Changing Pickups: The Seymour Duncan site has schematics that are quite good. BKP's have a small card inside the box showing the wiring layout.
Truss Rod: You hear loads of stuff about feeler guages etc, just don't forget that if you do adjust your truss rod, only do a little at a time, say a quarter turn again. Leave it to settle, tune up and play it a bit, if it still feels "wrong", then try again. Don't forget to let the neck settle after any adjustment, and don't adjust the truss rod too much at any one time.
Changing Strings: ? When they sound "dead". Check a guitar with new strings, and then try another that has an older set on. This totally depends on the individual, their preference of strings, etc, etc.
Frets: ?????
"Ebonizing" the Fretboard: Erm...Why? You could try rubbing some Lemon Oil into the board, that will make it a bit darker, or, get some ebony stain, and really, really carefully, paint your fretboard. Personally I wouldn't.
Generally, I do all my own setups these days, but, taking your guitar to the local guitar shop that has a repair service (especially if it has a good reputation) and getting them to service it and set it up for you is money well spent IMO.
Hope this helps (it may, however, be a load of old sh1t!). ;)
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Buy Dan Earlwine's How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play GREAT right now !!!!! :evil:
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http://www.projectguitar.com/
its all there
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I've heard good things about Dan Earlwine's books, also read forums, I've learned a load that way...
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Buy Dan Earlwine's How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play GREAT right now !!!!! :evil:
+1. I got Guitar Player Repair Guide also by Dan Erlewine which has also got all the relevant info. Also Fender's site has a support section with all the factory specs (good if you've got a fender).
I basically taught myself how to do it using the above and have saved a packet over the last year or so. You don't need any specialist tools but I got a radius guage and an action height gauge from Stewart MacDonalds which make it a doddle. The main thing you need is confidence.
I've heard differing opinions about lemon oil - some people say it's not a good idea. To be on the safe side I avoid it and clean the fretboard by carefully scr@ping in the direction of the grain with the edge of an old credit card then buffing it with a microfibre cloth.
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I bought the Dan Erlewine book ages ago, but then sold it on eBay not long after.
From reading the book, it seemed solely based on various imperial measurements (fractions of inches), I suppose he's only done this to make it a little easier for anyone to setup a guitar, but to me, it seemed really formulaic. This string MUST be this high from the pickup, which HAS to be so high from the body. I'd rather setup my guitars without rulers, and go with feel and my ears. Far more accurate measuring devices.
IMO o' course.
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From reading the book, it seemed solely based on various imperial measurements (fractions of inches), I suppose he's only done this to make it a little easier for anyone to setup a guitar, but to me, it seemed really formulaic. This string MUST be this high from the pickup, which HAS to be so high from the body. I'd rather setup my guitars without rulers, and go with feel and my ears. Far more accurate measuring devices.
IMO o' course.
I basically agree. The book was good because it gave me the confidence to have a go but I found, once I had the confidence to try a few things, my set up ended up very different from the factory specs. I still only stick to adjustments that are reversable - string height, truss rod, intonation, pickup height etc. So long as you don't go mad it's difficult to do any permanent damage. I still don't have the confidence to try filing a nut although I'd like to have a go as my Squier needs a new one!
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Complete Guitar Repair and Electric Guitar Setups both by Hideo Kamimoto
These are great books. If you only get one, go for the complete guitar repair book.
I do all my own setup work. I will dress frets, but haven't done a refret. I leave that to the experts!