.

[Philly Q]

He doesn't sound too clued up.  It's true that a bit of light fret buzz doesn't come through the amp, but if the strings are rattling like a sitar you'll hear that!

To say you get bad sustain because the strings are vibrating against the frets, and there's nothing you can do about it, is nonsense - if it was true it would apply to all guitars.

You need to find a better tech, I think.  Maybe someone on here could help, where are you based?
 

[Not Me]

I'm in Finland - some 100 kms from our nation's capital, where I had it "fixed".

But I apparently already found a good one through a google search, also from Helsinki. Knew exactly what I was talking about and said pretty much what you said. Friendly over the phone.

How does this sound? Fret filing (if nececcary), nut change to a bone one, pot upgrade to 500k and setup for some  ~150 euros. Assuming, of course, I'd be getting the job properly done.

Dude runs a place called Kitarahuolto, maybe someone could compliment him?

[Philly Q]

I do most setup/modification/minor repair things myself, but based on the couple of bits of work I have had done professionally I think that sounds a pretty fair price.  Maybe someone else will comment.

I'm pretty sure we have some forum members from Finland!

[Not Me]

Thank you kindly.

The operation above would take place in August as he's going on vacation, which gives me some time to gather cash and further inspect the guitar on my own. Might also have some mounting rings installed, guess they would look a bit more elegant than a piece of paper. :)

So, in the end it's gonna cost me about the same as the SG Standard would have, but possibly I'll have an even better guitar, only with more boring fretboard inlays.

[gingataff]

Thank you kindly.

The operation above would take place in August as he's going on vacation, which gives me some time to gather cash and further inspect the guitar on my own. Might also have some mounting rings installed, guess they would look a bit more elegant than a piece of paper. :)

So, in the end it's gonna cost me about the same as the SG Standard would have, but possibly I'll have an even better guitar, only with more boring fretboard inlays.

But it's also possible that you'd need a fret levelling and set up on the SG Standard as well, and now you've got the Stormy Monday you could always put it in a new guitar if you decide to upgrade in the future.

Good luck :)

[Not Me]

Thank you kindly.

The operation above would take place in August as he's going on vacation, which gives me some time to gather cash and further inspect the guitar on my own. Might also have some mounting rings installed, guess they would look a bit more elegant than a piece of paper. :)

So, in the end it's gonna cost me about the same as the SG Standard would have, but possibly I'll have an even better guitar, only with more boring fretboard inlays.

But it's also possible that you'd need a fret levelling and set up on the SG Standard as well, and now you've got the Stormy Monday you could always put it in a new guitar if you decide to upgrade in the future.

Good luck :)

 - Yup.

[Not Me]

"The saddles are mainly adjustable forwards and backwards to adjust intonation.  They don't allow for any height adjustment except by filing the string slots deeper. "

 - Yes, then the questionmark was in place. :) I tried to refer to that bit through which you initially insert the strings, before the bridge.

[Philly Q]

- Yes, then the questionmark was in place. :) I tried to refer to that bit through which you initially insert the strings, before the bridge.

Ah, the tailpiece!  :)

Again, it makes some difference, but it probably isn't contributing much to your string buzz. 

Normally, the tailpiece is set as low as possible so that the strings make a good angle behind the saddles, but also high enough that the E strings don't touch the back edge of the bridge (some people say this has a detrimental effect on tone, but to be honest I haven't really noticed it).

If you raise the tailpiece, so the string angle behind the bridge is decreased, it decreases the string tension a bit and makes the strings easier to bend.  You can get the same effect by inserting the strings from the front of the tailpiece, and wrapping them over the top (Zakk Wylde style).

[Not Me]

Thank you once again, Phil! You've been very helpful.

Henk, too, and everybody else!

Upon closer analysis of the near past, I think the initial technician might have disliked me, as I went shirtless and probably stinking into his shop (it was scorching hot that day and I had just done sitting one hour in my car!).


I'll let you know the results in August.

[Philly Q]

Oh, shirtless in shops is a bad idea!  How hot does it get in Finland?

[Not Me]

Must have been nearly 30 celcius in the shade, though it can get a tad hotter than that.

[zf]

Dude runs a place called Kitarahuolto, maybe someone could compliment him?

I've heard Kitarahuolto is the best, haven't tried it myself but a friend had his 7-string Jem set up there and the result was great! I had my guitars set up for studio at http://www.lottonen.com/ last year, they did a good job and their prices are affordable. Will probably try Kitarahuolto next time.

[Not Me]

That's great to hear!

Cheers!