markb
May 12th, 2009, 10:34 PM
So here's the update on the work I've done on this guitar to get it ready to rock.
Action adjustments - The bass strings were practically skimming the frets, the treble side action was a little high. Odd! Checked the neck, dead straight with decent relief. Raised the bass side to just under 2.5mm, treble side lowered to just under 2mm. Fast, more sustain now too.
Intonation - way out, I've run out of adjustment on the G saddle. It's close enough for rock 'n' roll, just a few cents off. I'll just turn the saddle round when I next change strings. I had to do this on an epi SG too.
Tailpiece - screwed all the way down as usual. I've raised this about one and a half turns to reduce string tension (way too high for 10s on a Gibson scale) and increase sustain. Took it a little further up but things got a bit rattly at the bridge. Back off a bit, perfect!
Pickups - The neck pickup was too high, the bridge too low. None of the pole pieces had been adjusted as far as I could see. Fixed.
Switch - replaced with a Switchcraft unit.
Knobs - replaced with black bell knobs. "Vintage amber" are impossible to read in even good light. I'm used to the visual and tactile clue that the set screw gives on a tele' so need to be able to see the numbers on this guitar.
I have no idea how the previous owner could even play this guitar with this setup. I checked it over very carefully before handing over the money but fortunately it was just that, badly set up.
So, here's the finished article
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/3526866975_a89e5bf701.jpg
And here's the only part of the finish I can criticise. The paint on the inner face of the lower f hole has been applied sloppily. Maybe a deal breaker in a new guitar but not this one.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/3527679788_d6b936883b_m.jpg
Action adjustments - The bass strings were practically skimming the frets, the treble side action was a little high. Odd! Checked the neck, dead straight with decent relief. Raised the bass side to just under 2.5mm, treble side lowered to just under 2mm. Fast, more sustain now too.
Intonation - way out, I've run out of adjustment on the G saddle. It's close enough for rock 'n' roll, just a few cents off. I'll just turn the saddle round when I next change strings. I had to do this on an epi SG too.
Tailpiece - screwed all the way down as usual. I've raised this about one and a half turns to reduce string tension (way too high for 10s on a Gibson scale) and increase sustain. Took it a little further up but things got a bit rattly at the bridge. Back off a bit, perfect!
Pickups - The neck pickup was too high, the bridge too low. None of the pole pieces had been adjusted as far as I could see. Fixed.
Switch - replaced with a Switchcraft unit.
Knobs - replaced with black bell knobs. "Vintage amber" are impossible to read in even good light. I'm used to the visual and tactile clue that the set screw gives on a tele' so need to be able to see the numbers on this guitar.
I have no idea how the previous owner could even play this guitar with this setup. I checked it over very carefully before handing over the money but fortunately it was just that, badly set up.
So, here's the finished article
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/3526866975_a89e5bf701.jpg
And here's the only part of the finish I can criticise. The paint on the inner face of the lower f hole has been applied sloppily. Maybe a deal breaker in a new guitar but not this one.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/3527679788_d6b936883b_m.jpg