amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

[BloodRose]

Im trying to evaluate my herd and see what can go.. (id prefer NONE, but dont have that choice. ) Ive struggled with my Washburn 526 for awhile. Its an incredible guitar and one of a kind, but with the emgs and my preference for the Charvel necks, it isnt a main player, plus it is one I could prolly get something for.

Today, I was playing it, kinda hoping it would still not completely blow my mind. When I thought to myself.... Self, the action on this isnt as low as my Charvels,so lets give the floyd anchor bolts a twist.
So, allen wrench, turned the anchors about 3/4 of a turn and WOW! The action was already super fast (the guitar was made for speed, so I figured it was already dialed in for max effect. ) but nope... Now its even faster and the pups have alot more bark to em.

Killer!

Thanks for reading my drivel... Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone that may not have thier guitars dialed in. alittle tweak can go along way!!

 

[Archer250]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

Yep. I've found out that each guitar has a sweet spot where both comfort and tone are optimized.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

You actually play guitar? I just thought all that you did was g.a.s. for different kinds.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

So many players judge a guitar, based on whatever setup it has, when it's not even optimized.

Besides finding the perfect action to suit your pick attack, getting the truss rod adjusted so the notes just fly off the fingers and the tone is tight and firm is the key. Only then can you even evaluate how good a guitar is.

 

[ThunderLizard]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

I tend to tear down, clean and oil the fingerboards, polish the frets and re-setup my guitars at least every year for that reason. A lot of times you settle in with one guitar and ignore the others. Doing a setup every year makes you play them all and you often think "wow, that really is a nice guitar!".

 

[stringbender11]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

So many players judge a guitar, based on whatever setup it has, when it's not even optimized.

^this is so true. I think players often dismiss any guitar with a poor setup as a crappy guitar.
But as we all know, with a great setup even the cheapest First Act axe can play like butter, just as a terrible setup can make a fine Les Paul feel like it was poorly built.

I try to always remember that when trying out guitars.

 

[Archer250]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

^this is so true. I think players often dismiss any guitar with a poor setup as a crappy guitar.
But as we all know, with a great setup even the cheapest First Act axe can play like butter, just as a terrible setup can make a fine Les Paul feel like it was poorly built.

I try to always remember that when trying out guitars.

And this extends to pickups and amps. (I'm looking at you, ToneKing)
I know guys who simply dropped a pickup into a guitar and complained that it's "weak" or "muddy" or "shrill" without even attempting to adjust the pole pieces.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

You actually play guitar? I just thought all that you did was g.a.s. for different kinds.

OUCH!!! Yeah, matter of fact I dabble in playing alittle bit.

Id play all day if I could. Lord knows I NEED the practice. Unfortunately with my schedule and very unsupporting spouse, I get more opportunity to drool over guitars online than I do to play.

 

[greekdude]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

So many players judge a guitar, based on whatever setup it has, when it's not even optimized.

Besides finding the perfect action to suit your pick attack, getting the truss rod adjusted so the notes just fly off the fingers and the tone is tight and firm is the key. Only then can you even evaluate how good a guitar is.

so that means that to evaluate a guitar you have to own for quite a long time. And i agree.

 

[koshikas]

Re: amazing what a difference 3/4 turns can make..

So many players judge a guitar, based on whatever setup it has, when it's not even optimized.

Besides finding the perfect action to suit your pick attack, getting the truss rod adjusted so the notes just fly off the fingers and the tone is tight and firm is the key. Only then can you even evaluate how good a guitar is.

+1.

when i m GASing for guitars, i usually go to the stores with my toolkit. not a welcome move on new gear stores, but all pawn shops welcome it. I end up auditioning for guitars that has the potential and appeal to me, and then do a basic setup in the store itself and leave with the best one if i find any to be really to my liking. The pawn shops welcome it because they endup with quiet well setup good guitars that are now sell-able that were previously dead guitars taking rack space. I get discounts in return