Author Topic: Problems with LP sustain on higher frets (Read 12569 times)

indysmith · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2008, 11:31:03 PM »

I'd echo what Philly said. I was worried about the lack of sustain on higher frets when i first got my Edwards. When i got home to play my other guitars, I realized that sustain suffered on all my guitars on the lower strings at higher frets.
It wasn't meant to be

Scotty477 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2008, 11:55:42 PM »

I have to say that I have no issues with choking or sustain on my LP in the upper frets now.

I did have but after I had it professionally set up (at Jimmy Egypt's in Glasgow) I was amazed at the difference. Bends played at the upper frets are now as clean as a whistle and to my mind sound better now than it did when I first got the guitar.

It's possible that the tech did more than simply adjust the neck relief to cure the problem I had but whatever it was has made my guitar play like a dream in every area of the fretboard.

Now if only I could actually play the bloody thing properly, I'd be happy ...

kellar · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2008, 04:04:29 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Guys, don't you find guitars generally have less sustain on the upper frets? :?

I always thought it was a combination of the frets being close together, and hard to get to, so it's hard to apply even pressure like you can further down the neck; plus the fact that the vibrating string length is very short so it doesn't have much mass/energy.

Yes. But with one particular guitar I have it is noticeably worse. Kind of flat and flabby sounding actually. Just doesn't sustain very well. I have tried everything except the truss rod and have pretty much just decided to live with it. :(

badgermark · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2008, 06:44:47 PM »

Quote from: Machinehead

I have to say that I have no issues with choking or sustain on my LP in the upper frets now.

I did have but after I had it professionally set up (at Jimmy Egypt's in Glasgow) I was amazed at the difference. Bends played at the upper frets are now as clean as a whistle and to my mind sound better now than it did when I first got the guitar.

It's possible that the tech did more than simply adjust the neck relief to cure the problem I had but whatever it was has made my guitar play like a dream in every area of the fretboard.

Now if only I could actually play the bloody thing properly, I'd be happy ...

They also adjust the nut if it needs it. A really good, thorough set up from those Egyptian boyos.

So moral is to get the guitar set up properly, and have a look at the nut.

_tom_ · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2008, 10:41:33 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

I'd echo what Philly said. I was worried about the lack of sustain on higher frets when i first got my Edwards. When i got home to play my other guitars, I realized that sustain suffered on all my guitars on the lower strings at higher frets.
It wasn't meant to be

Yeah I know, but this Pearl has less on the upper frets than my Epi, I want to get it at least the same if I can. Need to get a pro setup on this guitar I think, I suck at it :\

Scotty477 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2008, 11:24:14 PM »

That was my problem as well.

My suckiness at setting up a guitar is legendary ... :D

_tom_ · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2008, 01:14:16 PM »

I set up my epiphone and it feels great to me, but I just cant get it right with the Pearl. I'm halfway considering just selling it, the epiphone feels like a bloody shredders guitar in comparison :lol: So easy to play.. sounds thinner though, probably because its not all mahogany.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2008, 03:16:38 PM »

Another trick to getting the high notes to sing out is to raise the centre polepices of the humbucker to match the arch of the fingerboard (- just on one coil if you have a twin row of screws) . Doesnt need much , but can help the notes have a bit more bite

_tom_ · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2008, 09:19:59 PM »

I tried that Jonathan, didnt really do anything. I just loosened off the truss rod a bit more and lowered the action, its helped a lot. The sustain is better on the upper frets now, and the lower action makes it easier to play as well, whilst the lower strings/frets dont really buzz too bad. I might still take it to a professional to set up because it seems like there may be potential afterall :)

I have realised something now - have 2 les pauls and realised that I dont really need 2 guitars that do the same kinda sound hahah. Might get some MQs for it if I can get it playing like I want. Will they work in an all mahogany guitar or be too fat and become muddy?

Also, are the smaller pots as found on this guitar "metric" and so will they fit these nuts - http://www.allparts.uk.com/nuts-metric-pots-p-3415.html?p=product ?