GAH, my strat frustrations never end

[drew_half_empty]

so i get a used strat, everything is fine

then, i get a jb for the bridge, put it in, don't like it

then i restring it & find out the nut is screwed up, so i take it to the shop after i had all but worn out the strings, told them what strings i used & that i needed a new nut, and to go ahead & adjust the truss rod & action while they're at it. They were out of the strings i like, so I asked the sales guy if he had anything similar, he gave me a pack of ernie ball light top heavy bottom, said other than gauge he couldn't tell the difference.

So i go pick up the guitar today, the new nut is messed up, i hate the strings, and they're making the jb sound WORSE than it already did. To top it all off, the action is a mile high, the exact opposite of what i requested


I swear this guitar is 2 seconds from the dumpster

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

oh, he also said i needed a fret level, and the frets were barely grooved when i got it, he showed me why & it was ridiculous how much they were worn

 

[Stratfan]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

What didn't you like about the JB in the Strat? I have a '59 Trembucker in mine, but was thinking about the JB. (Although it may be too hot for me.)

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

just the way it's eq'd. It kinda lacks bass, a little top heavy, and the mids are just weird. I like '59s though, which you may consider weird, it's preference i suppose

 

[Stratfan]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

It sounds like they didn't do a very good job installing the new nut.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

no, no they didn't

I'm taking it to a new shop & having them put another one in, can anyone tell me the difference between a graph tech one & a regular fender one?

 

[rspst14]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

Graphtech nuts are made of graphite, which has a slightly warmer sound. But more importantly, the material is slippery, so the strings won't bind in the nut like they can with bone.

I would strongly suggest buying Dan Erlewine's book "How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great." If you learn to do your own setup work, you can avoid the hassle and expense of dealing with techs who don't know what they're doing.

Ryan

 

[Marcel]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

just the way it's eq'd. It kinda lacks bass, a little top heavy, and the mids are just weird. I like '59s though, which you may consider weird, it's preference i suppose

I wouldn't say the JB lacks bass. It hasn't that much low mids and much high mids.
Maybe the PU is to low. Imo the JB get thin sounding if it's to low....
I had my JB near to the strings and have the screw heads look out of the PU (dunno how to describe).... a bit tweaking and it gets much fatter....

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: GAH, my strat frustrations never end

no, its not that, i have it as high as it'll go without messing anything up

i just don't like it