I had decided to enlist my old hobby of playing guitar. So of course this promted me to look into how to setup a Strat style guitar, you know intonation and action and adjustments I need to make.
Now I seen a feww good videos and seem to have the baasics down now I was wondering if I should invest in some of the tool required to do this.. Now my 1st question is with the nothched straight edge for checking the neck.
I was watching 1 video and they claimed ther straight edge was machined to a tight tolerence, now what I am wondering is will the ones I can buy on say Sweetwater and amazon be good enough or do I really need that ultra machined straight edge?
That is the only real question I had maybe others will pop up but I think I am good on how to tune and set it all up. I am not a noob I did play for like 20 years before I quit playing in 2000. but was really wondering if paying around 60-70 dollars more for the ultra straight edge vs the amazon one for like 13bucks is a real world difference?
The question is, what are you trying to do? Do you want to level/recrown or even replace your frets? Then yes, you will need a slotted ruler to set your neck straight. As for basic setup (intonation, neck relief and string height) you don’t need specialised tools.
I am not wanting info on how to do it I seen the videos on how to do that what I would like to know is does the straigh edge matter between the one that is said to be tightly tolorenced and machined vs a cheap knockoff..
here is the precision one:
EDIT: I just rewatched the one video and he stated if I do not have a straight edge I could capo the 1st fret and then hold down at the 15th fret and look at around the 7th fret and see if there is a gap or whatnot.. I think I will just use that method as it is cheaper..
Hey Guys, I purchased a peg winder and some Basic luthier tools I will need and I also purchased some D’Addario XL Strings nickel wound.
it all should be here wed then I can finalize my guitar setup which right now sounds pretty good and plays well..
I am seriously considering switching my main hobby to Guitar and such seems how PC’s are just getting so expensive.. now I know Guitar gear can be spendy but it does not have to be like the PC to be able to play VR on a Crystal light..
Going to think about getting rid of the crystal light, as I have not even played it much since I got it. really gonna have to think hard.. but I do believe in the long run Guitar hobby will be a cheaper alternative..
I, mean I can keep a basic PC for like emails webbrowsing but no more gaming.. I really would like to get a Boss GM-800 Guitar synthesizer.. that thing is very sweet.. I could make any kind of music with that thing the possiblities are near infinite..
I’ve been really happy with the luthier tools that I’ve bought from StewMac over the years. I have this straightedge, although I don’t use it often. It works perfectly.
I use their workbench pad and neck rest every time I do a string change. Much better than an old towel and a sofa pillow. I would now count these items as essential.
yes I would like to get the workbench pad and neck rest will keep and eye for sales.. thnx
I did get my set of Luthier tools and it appears my radius was a 12. and when I checked the strings I was pretty close.. I need to lower the high E and I should be good.. I did put the new strings on and it did have a better tone and it was pretty laid out even tho I meesed up the restring with my windings..
I was supposed to space it a bit more and go 1 up 3 down but messed that up. it kinda stays in tune I think it is because I screwed up the binding of the post.. so I am going to try and restring it and maybe try a Luthier loop..
Been scaling the rust off and man it is tough to play I remeber it being so easy lol!! time will heal
Well I spent about 2 hours fine tunning the guitar and reset the strings on the tuning studs and it seemed ok had just enough string to do it correctly..
I then set the string height and adjusted with the tool for it and got it set just right. but I had to adjust them a little higher as I was getting a little bit of buzzing.. Once I had that done I set the intonation and that took alot of back and forth but I finally got it..
Then I noticed a issue my tremelo was raised up more than an eigth of an inch and tomorrow when my new tuner arrives I am going to try and set the tremelo distance to around an eigth of an inch when it is all tuned up. right now it seems to be about half an inch and it goes out of tune.
So maybe If I reset the tremelo the tune will hold better I just hope I can screw those screws into the body some more with a standard philips screwdriver.. I am hoping the screw if not predrilled will go into the wood without too much issue.. I hope I do not have to reset it up after setting the tremelo..
I tried finding that video that showed me the order in which to do the things but can not find it and I need to find another one to be sure I do it in the correct order and not chasing my tail around..
When you run out of leeway to tighten the trem screws, it can help to attach the outer two springs slightly diagonally, that puts them under more tension and sometimes it’s enough.
Nowadays there’s so much good material on the net, I’d start watching a few beginner’s videos on youtube and ask questions if you’re unsure about something, there are several people on the forum that know how to play.
If you want to do it the old-fashioned way, get a copy of Beatles Complete and learn the chords for some songs you know by ear.
The most important thing, slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Unlearning bad habits takes 10x the amount of time of learning it proper from the get go, but that takes patience.
Buy a cheap guitar from the local pawn shop. Pick up guitar & a pick/plectrum. Go online and look up “fret boards” or “fingering a guitar” (f’nah, f’nah)… you will be strumming a chord in no time.
Once you know two or three chords, you can start your own punk band.
yes definetely just learn some chords and some scales and Practise, Practise, Practise..
Also to other guitar players here which strings for electric do you prefer.. So far I tried the D’Addarios XT light and they seem ok would like to try some others.. thnx guys..
I’d recommend taking a few lessons in the beginning. Find a good local mom and pop guitar or music shop (usually much better than a chain) to establish a relationship with. They are fun places to hang out on Saturday mornings while at your lesson. Chill and try out different styles of guitar, watch others play, and chat with the luthiers.
Then one day, you’ll get the balls to pick up an ax that looks especially tempting and play a few licks of that BB, Eric, or Eddie song that you’ve been working on note for note since the beginning of time. Suddenly you’ll realize that everyone is watching you and enjoying the music that you’re laying down. It’s a good feeling when it happens.
As mentioned earlier, there are tons instructional YT videos and tab repositories, like ultimate-guitar.com, but a good teacher will lay the foundation for getting the most out of those resources, even if you only go a few weeks. If you’re lucky, you’ll find one who will inspire you to keep showing up on Saturday mornings or Tuesday nights. At least in the beginning, it’s better to focus primarily on songs that you like. That will help keep you going.
Just my $.02.
I forgot one last key to long term success. Find one or more of your friends that play and start getting together one night a month. It’s fun as hell and after a few beers, the bad players get better and the better players become more tolerant. Next thing you know, and you’re in a garage band called the Olive Mules and having a blast.
