Author Topic: Need some advice from people who know guitars (Read 3212 times)

Texasouthpaw · « **on:** June 24, 2006, 02:05:59 AM »

Being left handed i don't get many opportunities to play high end guitars. Well my luck has it, i go into Guitar Center and they have a Gibson Les Paul Studio well Iv'e always wondered what high end electric guitars feel like, and it was awesome. The action was a lot better than my Mexican Strat and the humbuckers sounded great. But I had a thought, i like my mexican strat and it was never been given a proper setup and the pickups have never been changed and they are very weak. My question was how much would getting the action lowered and getting the pickups changed(BKP's of course) change the guitar. Because i am prepared to buy a highed end guitar, but if i can make my strat play and sound better for less money than a new guitar it would be awesome.....thanks

fps_dean · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2006, 02:35:00 AM »

Strats action will never be that good, the fretboards aren't flat enough. You want at least a 12" radius for good action. I would suggest a Carvin DC127 made as a left handed guitar (it's an option). I have one and others I've talked to who own one all say the same thing I do - it has the lowest action of any guitar that I have ever played!

My DC127 is an alder body with a maple neck and ebony fretboard but you can get pretty much any wood combination that you like. I paid only the standard used price of $400 but the guitar is perfect in quality. I was playing $2400 ESPs and Jacksons right next to it when I bought it and they were absolutely no comparison - it was quite apparent the action would never be as low without buzzing very heavily and more likely than not, skipping frets.

If you want the Les Paul sound you can get a mahogany neck and body, rosewood fretboard and maple top and you can also get stainless steel frets (they last longer), and your choice of bridge etc. I have the C22B and C22N pickups (stock) and they're actually very good for almost anything.

Lot of Gibsons are funny, mostly the necks on most if not all of them made these days are bad. The rest of the guitar is fine, but with a bad neck it's not all that good. I have a Les Paul with a good neck but a bad fretjob so it kind of blows it :|

jt · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2006, 02:58:19 AM »

:D The awnser to your question is Yes changing P/U`s & getting a proper setup will improve the performance of your Mex Strat no end.

And you`ll get a great sound out of it with BK`s fitted.

:D 8)

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2006, 08:18:13 AM »

I second what JT has said. I can't tell you prices for a good set up but it can make all the difference. If you have had the opportunity to play many high end guitars, I would suggest getting your Strat sorted out and then spend time looking around before making up your mind to get something else. As JT said, a set of BK's will add considerably to the tone and also, don't get fooled into thinking that low output pups are no good because they are- it is the design, construction and winding that matters. If you do decide to get new pups, ask on the forum for advice ( Tim and the boys will always step in in we flounder or you could ask direct- the BK guys are very approachable ). Let us know what kind of sound you are after and our "panel of experts" will confuse the life out of you( only kidding). Welcome to the forum by the way- we need more Strat players don't we lads?

Texasouthpaw · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2006, 09:33:41 AM »

thanks for the advice guys, thats just what i needed to hear. I am going to try to fix my strat up first before i spend the money on a new guitar. And yes we need more start players on here, the audio section definetly could use more strat audio clips. I think I am realizing how high the action on this guitar is. I don't know exactly what tone i'm looking for just something that is very versatile and distorts nicely with some punch. here it's named 'guitar jam' a clip on me playing lead with some of my friends who can't really play ...dont mind the bongos ..lol but i like the tone but it's very weak but i'm sure some new bkp's could fix that. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=489282

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2006, 11:51:47 AM »

Nice Jam - I'd reckon Mother's Milks to Irish Tours for that kind of thing depending on which end of the drive spectrum you want.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2006, 12:47:27 PM »

Find a well respected luthier / guitar set-up guy and get the axe set-up
Consider having a fret dress and set up - worth the extra cash if done right
Add some BKPs and you wil be a happy man!

Not sure where in Texas you are but there are some good repairmen there

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2006, 07:47:05 PM »

Around here (Tennessee) a set-up will run about $35, and a bench charge (if they charge one) is about $35 as well. The new pick-up should cost about $50+/- to be installed. Either way, it is way cheaper than the LP, but if you like the Lp that much then buy it as well. :D

Texasouthpaw · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2006, 08:11:27 PM »

Yeh that pricing sounds about right from what iv'e heard people saying. I live in hurst, which is b/t dallas and ft.worth so i'm guessing i should be able to find someone good to do the guitar work. I like the Irish Tours, but one of my favorite clips that iv'e heard has been from a slow hand. The LP is very tempting but I can get this strat playing great, and still have money to buy some much needed pedals I would be happy. thanx for the advice again, and what exactly is a fret dress?

Brian G · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2006, 04:25:31 PM »

I'm an owner of a set of Crawlers for roughly 18 months, have occasionally checked and appreciated the forum, and I was motivated to chime in when I read the reply from a fellow Carvin user.

I have a Carvin CT3 (mahogany body & neck, no maple cap) that I've owner for almost 3 years. I was uninspired by the stock Carvin PUP's (no disrespect to Carvin, their PUPs are inexpensive), and eventually upgraded to Crawlers, after a much appreciated dialogue with Tim (Hi Tim!) The BKP's were a different world from the stock PUPs. From that perspective, I agree that replacing your Strat PUPswould be worthwhile, but only assuming that you love that guitar and intend to keep it long-term.

I also understand the "jones" for new gear (I'm thinking about either a new LP or a new Carvin CT6 at the moment - not a very experienced player, and I'm having a difficult time "loving" the Gibson feel on the instruments I've tried so far, by comparison to my Carvin.) An LP, a Strat, or a Carvin are all somewhat different sounds & playing experiences. I have a CS Strat and love it as well, but it does different things from my dual-humbucker guitar.

I concur with my fellow Carvin owner - if you're looking for a first-class piece and like the ability to custom-order to suit your preferences, I would look at the CT series, or try to hunt up one to play, by comparison to the LP. Having said that, the urge to acquire something that says "Gibson" on the headstock is what I'm pondering at the moment.

If I go for another Carvin or standard production Gibbo, the 2nd call will be to Tim. For an LP Historic, I might think twice because of value considerations, but would probably still not be able to resist swapping the PUPs, and you can always put the stock ones back, right?

Brian