Another update on good old Trigger :lol:
After taking a thorough look at the frets/binding, and talking with MartinW and Matt the luthier, we all came to the conclusion that it is what it is - an SG with a thinner neck width! The binding had been worn a bit, which limits how much you can fret over the binding. Matt's done as good a job as anyone could do with the re-fret and still get a smooth playing feel on the fret ends.
I dropped the guitar off with him on Saturday to have the new Tusq nut fitted to sort the top E popping off the 'board issue, and I've reverted back to to 10-46 strings in place of 9-46 to minimise any unwanted string bending (which was adding to the problem). I should get the guitar back this weekend, in plenty of time for its first gig next month :)
I also worked out that part of my problem with the thinner nut was that I was wearing the guitar too high (in an Angus style), which completely knackered my thumb-over playing position and it was causing some discomfort. I've now bought myself a longer strap so I can play it in a position closer to my usual Jimmy Page/Slash position, which is waaaaay more comfortable for me, and it's finished in a nice weathered dark red to match the guitar. Which is nice :D
