Shredder Setup?

[PoorMan]

I'm in a metal phase right now and I'm lusting for a pointy Jackson guitar...can't afford it though.

That being said, I do have a very nice MIJ Strat with an EMG 81 that should lend itself to metal quite nicely with a great setup. Does anyone here have a Jackson or other shred guitar that could share their setup measurements? Neck relief, string height at the nut, and string height at the 17th fret (when fretted at the 1st fret)? Trying to get looooow action here.

Thanks!

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Shredder Setup?

(Waiting for Zerberus to chime in here.)

XSSIVE, you've built some fancy guitars with Floyds. C'mon bros, I know we've got some shredders in this forum.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Shredder Setup?

Don't do it with measurements though, it'd mean nothing from guitar to guitar.

Just set it up as you usually do, and then work from there to see what prevents you from lowering the action. Most likely though, if you have a vintage radius (under 9.5) it won't be great for ultra low action. Some players like Yngwie like a very high action on old Strats, but it's not for everyone.
Just learn how to shred on a harder action. This way when you save up for a guitar with a flatter radius and an easier feel, you'll really rip

To me, a shredder axe would have the following specs (MY tastes, not saying what's best or not )
43mm nut
12'' radius
OFR shimmed to a 12'' radius too
medium jumbo frets (no idea which type that is... )

All this should make a comfortably low action EASILY.

But it's not as easy on a 7.25'' radius. Doable maybe, with a professionally setup nut at its lowest possible point, a recent fret level and crowning, and a perfectly setup bridge. But it'd probably be so low most notes would fret out very soon.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Shredder Setup?

Pierre, you made some good points (things I should have mentioned).

...I had the fretboard flattened (can't remember now, but at least to 12" if not more). Can't get to the guitar right now to verify the radius, had jumbo frets installed too.

Just trying to get an idea of what "low action" is. I've played shredder guitars in the past and was impressed by their low action and playability...looking for measurements as a general guideline more than anything else.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Shredder Setup?

To me, a low action starts under 1.5mm at the 12th fret including the nut's height. For some it's VERY low, for some it's medium. I just like it there. Too low and your high notes won't sustain as a long and fretout earlier. Also watch out for pickup's height and wolf notes.

Here's how I suggest you do it:
Set up your neck as flat. Then lower your bridge to the lowest possible where you can play with a comfortable amount of buzz (i.e some that you don't hear over an amp, that kind that doesn't bother all that much) and then proceed to add a little relief if necessary.
You could also try to lower the action from how it is now and then adjust the relief.
Don't forget to have the nut and bridge saddles radiused to 12'' as well.
And use thick ish strings, at least 10s. I usually get 11s or 10-52 for E standard.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Shredder Setup?

I'm in a metal phase right now and I'm lusting for a pointy Jackson guitar...can't afford it though.

That being said, I do have a very nice MIJ Strat with an EMG 81 that should lend itself to metal quite nicely with a great setup. Does anyone here have a Jackson or other shred guitar that could share their setup measurements? Neck relief, string height at the nut, and string height at the 17th fret (when fretted at the 1st fret)? Trying to get looooow action here.

Thanks!

Sure, though these are just my "initial "setup measurements, usually the action goes down a bit more after a few hours...

String guage: 12-52, standard tuning
Relief: 0, we´re talking about a laser trued arrow, here
Action @nut: about a 10th of a mm higher than the first fret
Action at 12th fret, 1st fret capoed: 1.14mm treble, 1.2mm bass

I often end up in the 1mm ballpark, on one axe it´s actully under 1mm (.95 to be exact)

But pierre is right, it´s not necessarily a good idea to rely on numbers... feel is more important here, as it depends on teh individual axe (the one with .95 mm for example is a short scale axe, unlike the rest)

 

[kherman]

Re: Shredder Setup?

I try to get my action as low as possible without buzz (or very little).
I also, have a light touch.
So, depending on how hard you pick will determine how low you want your action.
I like a slight bit of neck relief. No more than the thickness of a playing card at the 12th fret.
This is having a capo at the first fret and fretting the 24th fret(or 22nd on my 22 fret guitars).
I use D'Addario 11's (11-49) on my 6 strings.
Carvin, Fernandes, Parker, Diodati.
On my 7 strings (Carvin and Schecter), I still have packs of Schecter strings I use. (10-58). Soon, I'll need to look for an alternative.
I prefer a 12" or flatter fretboard radius.
Most of my guitars have Jumbo frets.
Dunlop 6100 on the Carvins.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Shredder Setup?

Thanks guys, got it down to 1mm last night. I need to bring it up a bit because I'm buzzing in the upper register a little.