Cheap/free things that make a big difference to tone

[PhilKing]

but probably I've improved my tone the most.

i must admit when i saw phil play for the first time i secretly copied his vibrato, i sound alot better now

Obviously not me you're talking about!  :lol: :lol:

the other famous BKP phil - philking :)

I think I copied it from Paul Kossoff 

[Ratrod]

A complete setup that includes:

Well cut nut slots;
Bridge setup (height, angle, intonation) and in case of a TOM: saddles cut so they match the fingerboard radius;
Truss rod adjustment;
pickup height and pole piece adjustment;

All to player's personal preferences.

[Fourth Feline]

Bridge setup (height, angle, intonation) and in case of a TOM: saddles cut so they match the fingerboard radius;

Great point about checking that the bridge saddles 'track' the fretboard radius ; I had previously overlooked that one .

:oops:

I will see how it applies to my Jazzer's floating bridge, as the best might just have got better ! 

Cheers !  :)

[Ratrod]

If you have a floating bridge I highly recommend a Tru-Arc bar bridge. You can get them in any radius you want in the materials copper, brass, stainless and aluminium.

When you check the fingerboard radius, check it at the first AND last fret. If the radius at the last fret is significantly larger, you have a compound radius fretboard. In that case you need to calculate the proper bridge radius. There's a formula for that.

A 9.5" radius compound radius would end up in a 14" or so bridge.

[bucketshred]

Play with less gain  :P

Won't agree with this. Learn to play with very High Gain and Low Gain.

Paddy

[ToneMonkey]

I hear that wrapping the strings the other way around a stop tail piece (with a TOM) so it's like a wrap around bridge plays wonders with a Les Paul tone.  Not tried it myself though.

[MDV]

I'm not convinced. I think the increased angle of normal tuning that the strings take over the saddles increases resonance.

Havent done a 100% like for like comparison on that though, so not completely sure.

[Fourth Feline]

If you have a floating bridge I highly recommend a Tru-Arc bar bridge. You can get them in any radius you want in the materials copper, brass, stainless and aluminium.

When you check the fingerboard radius, check it at the first AND last fret. If the radius at the last fret is significantly larger, you have a compound radius fretboard. In that case you need to calculate the proper bridge radius. There's a formula for that.

A 9.5" radius compound radius would end up in a 14" or so bridge.

Thank you for that further ( and very interesting / useful ) information .  :)

I am currently using an all wood bridge, but will investigate further, as I find both wooden bridge tops and metal ones each have merit in different ways.

I will use the radius gauges that came with my Dan Erlewine book.

Cheers !

[ToneMonkey]

I'm not convinced. I think the increased angle of normal tuning that the strings take over the saddles increases resonance.

Havent done a 100% like for like comparison on that though, so not completely sure.

If it's good enough for Gary Moore, the it must be worth a go  :D  Think that's who said it.

Anyone mentioned sticking a big bit of wood behind a strat trem  :D

[MDV]

Zakk wylde does it too. I couldnt care less - I string up tunos the normal way unless there are string breakage problems at the bridge, then try the lower pressure wrap around, and have A/Bd but with different string guages: I think the difference was bigger than the guages, but cant be totally sure.

No, no ones said that yet, and by all accounts its a good idea! (I'm doing wedging in 2 floyds later, wood either side. We'll see how it goes.

[gingataff]

If you have a floating trem with a removable arm (Fender, Floyd, etc) keep the arm attatched even if you don't use it as it will add mass and some extra sustain.

[Ratrod]

If you do the wrap-around, you'll distibute the string vibtation a little more between the bridge and stop tail. It sounds a bit more jangly/kerrang-ish. The biggest difference is feel. You'll get less string tension making it easier to bend. You will need to bend further, though.

Try a set of .011's, wrap around and low action on a Les Paul.