No effects
New member
I typically get strap locks, locking Sperzel tuners, String Saver graphite saddles and upgrade the pick ups.
Essential Guitar Upgrades
- Thread starter No effects
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greendy123
New member
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Strap locks all time, dropped my guitar once don't want to risk that happening again. Probably pickups too if it's a low end or mid range guitar.
Strap locks all time, dropped my guitar once don't want to risk that happening again. Probably pickups too if it's a low end or mid range guitar.
Loserchief
SwingingIdiot
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Straplocks are the only things that i'd call really essential. Everything else depends on the guitar and whether you like the sound or not.
Straplocks are the only things that i'd call really essential. Everything else depends on the guitar and whether you like the sound or not.
Ocifer
New member
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Depends on the guitar, and the quality of the hardware, electronics, etc. that came on it.
In general, it's wise to redress the frets and nut, as those will really affect the tone and playability of the guitar. Some guitars come with great fret jobs and nuts, so this isn't really necessary.
Wiring-wise, it's a good idea to check the guitar under the hood to see if the guitar's shielded well. Especially if you own a strat-style guitar with single coils. Here is a good site for modding Fender-style guitars (Strats, Teles). You might want to take a look at the "Quieting The Beast" section. Most guitars don't come properly shielded (even top-dollar ones) and the difference after doing some of these mods is huge.
It's also a good idea to clean out old dusty pots and switches with some compressed gas. It's easy to do and diagnose. All you have to do is fiddle with the switches and knobs and see if they're hissing more than you like.
I did a lot of these wiring mods (with the help of my brother, who taught me some soldering basics) and the difference on my Strat-style Godin was quite noticeable. I've yet to do a pickup swap, but that is also another huge factor in beefing up your sound, and getting the sound that's for you. Aside from that, most guitars don't need much else, aside from a good setup.
Depends on the guitar, and the quality of the hardware, electronics, etc. that came on it.
In general, it's wise to redress the frets and nut, as those will really affect the tone and playability of the guitar. Some guitars come with great fret jobs and nuts, so this isn't really necessary.
Wiring-wise, it's a good idea to check the guitar under the hood to see if the guitar's shielded well. Especially if you own a strat-style guitar with single coils. Here is a good site for modding Fender-style guitars (Strats, Teles). You might want to take a look at the "Quieting The Beast" section. Most guitars don't come properly shielded (even top-dollar ones) and the difference after doing some of these mods is huge.
It's also a good idea to clean out old dusty pots and switches with some compressed gas. It's easy to do and diagnose. All you have to do is fiddle with the switches and knobs and see if they're hissing more than you like.
I did a lot of these wiring mods (with the help of my brother, who taught me some soldering basics) and the difference on my Strat-style Godin was quite noticeable. I've yet to do a pickup swap, but that is also another huge factor in beefing up your sound, and getting the sound that's for you. Aside from that, most guitars don't need much else, aside from a good setup.
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strat_master
New member
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
otehr than strap locks, i would say if the pickups arent that good those, thats about it. Personally i would rpefer if a guitar was great stock, but a few mods liek pick ups are fine.
otehr than strap locks, i would say if the pickups arent that good those, thats about it. Personally i would rpefer if a guitar was great stock, but a few mods liek pick ups are fine.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Straplocks, pickups, other (removing a bit of gloss from the back of the neck).
Straplocks, pickups, other (removing a bit of gloss from the back of the neck).
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
New saddles?
New nut?
New pickups?
New tuners?
Why the **** do you bother to play the guitar at all to evaluate it for purchase when you're going to change so many of the components that make up what it is? For all those changes you should be able to walk into any shop, point to any guitar on the wall and the end result will be the same damned thing!
And if I had a dime for every vintage Les Paul I turned down because some mongoloid mangled the headstock with new tuners because they couldn't figure out how to lube or properly cut a nut I'd have enough to buy a 59'.
No effects said:
New saddles?
New nut?
New pickups?
New tuners?
Why the **** do you bother to play the guitar at all to evaluate it for purchase when you're going to change so many of the components that make up what it is? For all those changes you should be able to walk into any shop, point to any guitar on the wall and the end result will be the same damned thing!
And if I had a dime for every vintage Les Paul I turned down because some mongoloid mangled the headstock with new tuners because they couldn't figure out how to lube or properly cut a nut I'd have enough to buy a 59'.
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Les Paul- convert buckers to double screws then radius poles, swap mags as needed. no load tone. 50's mod. shielding.
Strat- mv, mt, blender, 50's mod. screw bridge down, sponge springs. shim neck to get neck plane as close as possible to string plane. shielding.
Les Paul- convert buckers to double screws then radius poles, swap mags as needed. no load tone. 50's mod. shielding.
Strat- mv, mt, blender, 50's mod. screw bridge down, sponge springs. shim neck to get neck plane as close as possible to string plane. shielding.
Closed Eye
New member
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
I actually came to the same conclusion when I bought my Les Paul Studio. That thing is totally stock and sounds like a Les Paul. The same with my MIM tele...I'm stocking USA Fender pickups or those Duncan Tele pickups so it sounds like a Tele. These sounds are connected to these guitars for a reason! Although, Jimmy Page's LP doesn't fit into any of these categories because that thing was modified crazy style!
Skarekrough said:
I actually came to the same conclusion when I bought my Les Paul Studio. That thing is totally stock and sounds like a Les Paul. The same with my MIM tele...I'm stocking USA Fender pickups or those Duncan Tele pickups so it sounds like a Tele. These sounds are connected to these guitars for a reason! Although, Jimmy Page's LP doesn't fit into any of these categories because that thing was modified crazy style!
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Straplocks are essential, everything else depends on the guitar
On any guitar over 800$ this shouldn´t be necessary at all IMO. Gibson is a notable exception, but Hamer, PRS, Jackson/Charvel, ESP, Heritage and most other decent brands generally have zero problems with the frets and nut out of the box.
I.E. Don´t buy **** guitars and you won´t have to do the work that should have been done at the factory
+1
Straplocks are essential, everything else depends on the guitar
Ocifer said:
On any guitar over 800$ this shouldn´t be necessary at all IMO. Gibson is a notable exception, but Hamer, PRS, Jackson/Charvel, ESP, Heritage and most other decent brands generally have zero problems with the frets and nut out of the box.
I.E. Don´t buy **** guitars and you won´t have to do the work that should have been done at the factory
+1
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Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Put in the pickups to find your voice...ductape the strap to the buttons...uhhmm i normally have a few dings in the paint job by the second or third month
-X
Put in the pickups to find your voice...ductape the strap to the buttons...uhhmm i normally have a few dings in the paint job by the second or third month
-X
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
I would have said pickups and wiring until I picked up my latest, a CIJ Tele with Texas Specials, and I love everything about this guitar. Well, maybe I need some compensated saddles, the intonation is a little rough now, but other than that...
I would have said pickups and wiring until I picked up my latest, a CIJ Tele with Texas Specials, and I love everything about this guitar. Well, maybe I need some compensated saddles, the intonation is a little rough now, but other than that...
pinto79
New member
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
I put Straplocks on everything and tweak the pickups/electronics to suit me. Maple necks generally get the gloss steel-wooled to dull it, the frets get polished and a setup is done with the string gauge/brand I like.
I basically void any warranty that comes with a new guitar by completely taking it apart the minute is gets home.
But I generally buy used, so it's not a problem.
I put Straplocks on everything and tweak the pickups/electronics to suit me. Maple necks generally get the gloss steel-wooled to dull it, the frets get polished and a setup is done with the string gauge/brand I like.
I basically void any warranty that comes with a new guitar by completely taking it apart the minute is gets home.
But I generally buy used, so it's not a problem.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
+1 Guitars never need new tuners, unless it's a $100 guitar with $5 tuners.
Most need some nutwork though. I put on Schaller straplocks, and decide if it needs new pickups after I give the stockers the benefit of the doubt for a few weeks. The main thing I do to any guitar I buy is to take it home and do a final setup.
Skarekrough said:
+1 Guitars never need new tuners, unless it's a $100 guitar with $5 tuners.
Most need some nutwork though. I put on Schaller straplocks, and decide if it needs new pickups after I give the stockers the benefit of the doubt for a few weeks. The main thing I do to any guitar I buy is to take it home and do a final setup.
Archer_of_Fish
New member
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Straplocks are an absolute. Everything else is purely subjective and may not need to be changed.
I'm a tinkerer so, speaking for myself, I usually change stuff that really doesnt need to be changed.
Straplocks are an absolute. Everything else is purely subjective and may not need to be changed.
I'm a tinkerer so, speaking for myself, I usually change stuff that really doesnt need to be changed.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
Not true.
The essential character of the guitar remains the same even with all those changes, primarily because of the individual piece of wood. If the wood is good, these changes made by someone who knows guitars and wood and can hear the potential in that wood will only refine the wood's tone potential. It will not change the wood's basic tonal character.
I would be like saying that if you are a basketball coach, making changes/upgrades to a particular player's skills (in other words, coaching)would make him the same quality of player if you did the same with any other player or wannabe who walked on the court. Each player's potential is unique and the coach only refineswhat is already there.
Skarekrough said:
Not true.
The essential character of the guitar remains the same even with all those changes, primarily because of the individual piece of wood. If the wood is good, these changes made by someone who knows guitars and wood and can hear the potential in that wood will only refine the wood's tone potential. It will not change the wood's basic tonal character.
I would be like saying that if you are a basketball coach, making changes/upgrades to a particular player's skills (in other words, coaching)would make him the same quality of player if you did the same with any other player or wannabe who walked on the court. Each player's potential is unique and the coach only refineswhat is already there.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Essential Guitar Upgrades
I've even gotten $100 guitars to come back into tune post-whammy abuse after I've had the chance to make sure the nut is cut right and lubed with Tri-Flow.
Straplocks are a personal choice. At one time I was adamant that every guitar should have them. But I realize that there's a certain vintage vibe that goes with the original parts on it. My personal decision is straplocks, I make no qualms if someone wants to keep the guitar stock, but it does carry the usual risks.
Pickups are funny things though...they're that magic link between guitar and amp that can make or break a guitar. Out of all the guitars I own only one has replacement pickups, and they were installed after I'd spent ten years fiddling with pickups and came to the conclusion that I really wished I'd had the originals again.
I understand how upgrades can and will be done. But there should be a certain level of satisfaction that comes with buying the guitar in the first place. If your thought process is that so many parts need to be changed or replaced it begs the question as to whether the isntrument being bought is the right choice for the player to begin with.
Gearjoneser said:
I've even gotten $100 guitars to come back into tune post-whammy abuse after I've had the chance to make sure the nut is cut right and lubed with Tri-Flow.
Straplocks are a personal choice. At one time I was adamant that every guitar should have them. But I realize that there's a certain vintage vibe that goes with the original parts on it. My personal decision is straplocks, I make no qualms if someone wants to keep the guitar stock, but it does carry the usual risks.
Pickups are funny things though...they're that magic link between guitar and amp that can make or break a guitar. Out of all the guitars I own only one has replacement pickups, and they were installed after I'd spent ten years fiddling with pickups and came to the conclusion that I really wished I'd had the originals again.
I understand how upgrades can and will be done. But there should be a certain level of satisfaction that comes with buying the guitar in the first place. If your thought process is that so many parts need to be changed or replaced it begs the question as to whether the isntrument being bought is the right choice for the player to begin with.