Noob: 2 new EBMMs in the last month!

[Casper]

You could say I got the fever. Hi everyone, Casper here. I was a member many years ago. I came to you from the Tom Anderson camp. Still love Tom's stuff and my forum buddies, but have had a slight change of heart over the last year. I just bought an LIII and fell in love..so much so that I bought a Silo Special nearly 2 weeks later. (I know, I need to post pics and I will)..I also bought a Sterling SUB as a practice axe.

Anyway, I had an Axis sport with 3 singles about 10 years ago and also a Luke ..I didn't bond with them..but am LOVING the necks and tones out of both my new instruments..the 1 5/8 nuts and neck shapes are so much better for me as Im getting older. I am also LOVING the Slinkys after playing D'dads for over 25 years (cheaper too, I wish they came in bulk!)

I am currently struggling with two problems. I was playing 10 guage strings for the last 20 years, but am kinda getting used to the 9s on the EB stuff? Also, the trems work so well, I can't decide whether to float them or not. When I do..they are so sensitive to touch? I thought about trying to add a third spring in the trem and playing with the tension..or just going back to 10 guage? Any thoughts from you good folks?

 

[DrKev]

I am currently struggling with two problems. I was playing 10 guage strings for the last 20 years, but am kinda getting used to the 9s on the EB stuff? Also, the trems work so well, I can't decide whether to float them or not. When I do..they are so sensitive to touch? I thought about trying to add a third spring in the trem and playing with the tension..or just going back to 10 guage? Any thoughts from you good folks?

Hi Casper, welcome back!

I'd deal with strings and trem as separate issues.

Where string gage is concerned I stay play what is most comfortable. People sound their best when they play their best. If that means 9s instead of 10s, then do it!

Personally, I like floating my trems, though not every one does. I love that touch sensitivity. By all means add another spring, re-adjust the claw to float the bridge again and see how you feel about it. It's an easy and cheap mod. If you still don't like floating, then just tighten the claw until the bridge is flush and you're good to go!

Patiently waiting for those pictures...


...though not patient forever!

 

[tommydude]

Great Post! Welcome back!

I say, try keeping the 9's on there for at least 3 months. Let your fingers adjust. You will be fine.

As for the trem, there are many benefits to, "Floating". If you have a heavy hand, you will make corrections naturally.
Enjoy the new toys!!

 

[Warg Master]

PPPIIICICSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 9s question.... I agree with above... try them for a while. Personally, I tried that with my AX3 and found the smaller gauge tends to eat my flesh faster so I switched back to 10s as I've been a 10 player forever as you have. Tommy dude makes an excellent point about the heavy hand... especially if you use the flat surface on the trem to rest your hand (as the surface was intended) when you pick.

 

[Casper]

Trem

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Back to the trem/string thing... Is there a balance achievable if I add the third spring to the tremblock to have it floating, but with some more tension?? I want to be careful about turning the claw screws so much trying to adjust?
On string guage..My tech told me that I will tend to play notes and chords sharp because of the 10 guage grip..and I guess thats what was a concern..I worry about breaking 9s, but maybe I never should have changed in the first place..back then I was a GHS user anyway...
Pics are coming..I promise!
Thanks for any thoughts

 

[DrKev]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Back to the trem/string thing... Is there a balance achievable if I add the third spring to the tremblock to have it floating, but with some more tension?? I want to be careful about turning the claw screws so much trying to adjust?
On string guage..My tech told me that I will tend to play notes and chords sharp because of the 10 guage grip..and I guess thats what was a concern..I worry about breaking 9s, but maybe I never should have changed in the first place..back then I was a GHS user anyway...
Pics are coming..I promise!
Thanks for any thoughts

If you have the correct size screwdriver and are careful, the claw screws are safe. (The worst you can do is damage the head of the screws or the driver, which is far more likely with the wrong size tool). As for your "10 gauge grip", it won't bother the 9s at all.

I like that - "10 gauge grip", sounds very cool.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Hey, welcome back! Here's my disfunctional method for strings. I use 9's and 10's and sometimes even mix the sets or buy singles. With more than one guitar, it's fun to play both 9's and 10's. If you find that you really don't like one or the other, change to what you like best on the next string change. I don't use a trem ever, so my suggestion of 5 springs and clamping it down probably won't help you.

 

[TSHOW]

I used 10 gauge strings most of my life until 15 months ago when I started buying these lovely EBMM Axis and Axis Super Sport models. I switched to 9 gauge and love it..........I won't go back. I have less discomfort when playing for long hours...Additionally, it just feels like a better fit on the Axis guitars. However, the choice is personal......

 

[Casper]

Here are (unfortunately)some crappycell phone pics of pre-gig cleaning and restringing my new family..The Silo special is a 2008 and I just got it off the bay. Had a hard time with getting the neck clean..used lemon oil, gorgomyte, and dunlop fretboard cleaner..it improved, but I will need to work on this. the LII is a MONSTA and I absolutely think this OLive Gold is one of my favorites..much better than the new blue EBMM is doing (opinion)
Anyway, I'm really digging these guitars..enjoy! Thanks for your help everyone..
Shaun

 

[jzeijen]

That's a nice set, you can cover almost every type of music with that, congrats! Having said that, you will still probably buy some more EBMM.. Just the way it goes

 

[Metalcat]

Solid choice of guitars sir. You really can play most of the music you could ever want/need to play with those two right there!

 

[straycat113]

Welcome back and congrats on two excellent additions to your rack. I especially love the new Luke-III and the Olive Gold finish is killer. I also played with 10's for over two decades before developing issues with the Ulnar nerve in my elbow as well as hand issues and dropped to 9's. I have only broken one string the last 18 months and because it is easier to bend I have not had any issues with string breakage, and it has been easier on the hands. I also have all my trems decked and prefer it that way as I feel you draw a better tone from the guitar. Unless you can't live without having it floating maybe you should try it for awhile, if it is not working for you it is no trouble to go back to floating it.

 

[grayn]

I use 10s on all my guitars. I recently acquired a BFR Luke, set up beautifully, with 9s. For a few days, I kept the 9s on, as I worried the change of guage may upset the guitar's perfect balance. Eventually I decided to put 10s on. Yes the floating trem needed adjusting, which was very easy and I'm no tech. After that, I was so pleased I'd gone to 10s. For me, the clean tone went from great to even better. To my ears, 10s just give that extra body to the tone, no doubt. Good luck with your very cool EBMMs.