Nuther restringing question

Jesus Fish <>< · 06-26-2003, 09:37 PM

I'm restringing my electric. It's got a tremolo, don't know if that matters. I've never done it before, so I just need to know a few specifics. I have restrung an acoustic before, so it's not that I don't know what I'm doing. And please forgive my lack of knowledge on terminology. Anyhoo, on the bridge, there are these things (wish I had a pic) that have springs on them, and you can adjust them w/ a screwdriver. I assume they adjust the tension from the other end of the guitar, but I don't really know what they're for. Anyhoo, should I have them in a certain position before putting the strings on? I screwed around w/ them before and they're all in different spots. That's really all I have for now, thanks.

nate95366 · 06-26-2003, 10:05 PM

Oh boy. :kgrin: Those "spring things" actually shouldn't control the tension on the string. Rather, they control the physical "length" of the string - as the guitar sees things. That means they have control of how "in tune" one particular string is up and down the fretboard. They are adjustable because each type of string has its different "optimal" length in order to play an in-tune note at every fret position. This whole concept is called "intonation." At any rate, they're kind of important to have in the right place if you want to sound in tune when you play...

Nate

Jesus Fish <>< · 06-26-2003, 10:34 PM

Well, other than taking it to a professional, is there any way to know where they should be? If i just have them all at the same position, shouldn't they (in theory) be in tune w/ each other?

GMartin2R · 06-27-2003, 01:57 AM

i would think so but it'd be good to check the intonation on the 12th fret after you get all the strings on. speaking of that, hmm , maybe i can get more life out of my tstrings by playing wiht those thigns on mine. hmm... i'll have to try that...

trpullen · 06-28-2003, 09:58 PM

There is WAY more info here than you want to know....BUT, this is the way to properly dial in your guitar.

Fender's Mr. Gearhead setup

CheshireCat · 07-03-2003, 12:24 AM

DO NOT SCREW (LITERALLY) WITH THE BRIDGE.

Take your guitar to a guitar tech or luthier. NOT the guy at the local store who says he's done it before and will only charge you half price.

(Half of what? Compared to who?)

Shop around to find a very friendly, open, EDUCATIONAL guitar tech or luthier, who will be happy to inform you of how intonation works. One who subscribes to the "an educated customer is my best customer" mentality.

Here's why. Sure, it can cost you up to $25 or even $50, but you are buying something more with your money than a set-up job. You are buying knowledge. Learn form this guy (or girl). Pick their brain. The more educated you are, the better. And also, check with at least 3 or 4 guys; you'll get a better comparison that way, unless you go to the guy in town who works on all the pros guitars in your town.

Here's why. If you screw with it yourself, and you mess up, you may not be playing for a while. If you mess up the intonation, the guitar will never sound in tune no matter what you do and it will be totally frusterating. How frusterating?

That frusterating.

However, if you use this opportunity to learn, and have your new found tech or luthier do a few of these, soon you will learn how to do it yourself, and do it like a pro. Well worth the investment.

Seriously.

Also, some other things to consider. Schaller and Sperzel make locking tuners, where you put the string in the post, lock it in with a disc on the back of the machine head, and you clip the string flush with the post on the other side of the hole. Very clean. go to http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel....html&sku=0659 or http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel...ghead&sku=3421 for info on either the Schaller or the Sperzel.

Second, the earvana nut. For the cost of a nut job, which can be rolled into the cost of a set up, you have a nut installed on your guitar with automatically tempers your instrument so it plays in tune. All this without any radical changes to your instrument, or funky, off-beat tunings. go to http://www.earvana.com

Both mods are easy to do, and after you build a relationship with your luthier or guitar tech, they can do this for you.

Also, what kind of guitar is it? I'm assuming an electric.

Chesh

GMartin2R · 07-03-2003, 02:28 AM

yeah that's one thing i like about where i plan to buy my gear. the people there know what they are talking about. i was talking to a guy about FR equivalent tremelos and the tuning issues and he gave me the short version of how to work one of those. the shop will also change my strings for free a couple teism too so i can see how to change them on a floating trem, which is definitely a good thing as i've only used a standard whammy bar before...

trpullen · 07-03-2003, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMartin2R

so i can see how to change them on a floating trem

One at a time

GMartin2R · 07-04-2003, 02:09 AM

well i'll see when i get the guitar and watch the guys do it. they're a preferred dealer for ibanez so they've got their backing. should be interesting to watch

CheshireCat · 07-04-2003, 02:18 AM

Well, it's not really that big a deal, but it's something that you definitely don't want to jack with if you don't have any experience with it. A little knowledge here will go a long way!

A little knowledge means the difference between this

and this

. . . . seriously.

I will say, Ibanez sure does make it as easy as possible to maintain there guitars.

Also, that link to that MrFret thing looked interesting.

Chesh

PS - what kind of Iby is it?

GMartin2R · 07-04-2003, 02:32 AM

me? when i get it, unless i chance my mind it'll be a JEM 7vwh