FAO jongitarz RE Y2D setup

[Filthy_Phil]

Jon,

I have been looking over the guitar carefully. I am basing this post on having a close look at the photos in the 2 UK magazines to have reviewed the Y2D.

First question is the single coil Pick Up.

As you can see the P-up is weighted heavily towards the treble strings. Yet all the photos I have seen show the opposite. With the Pup set to be higher at the Bass side than the Treble! Does the pic look like something that would have come from the factory setup, or a shop tinkering before it got to me? I am concerned I am not going to get the sound from that P-up which its intended for.

The second thing is the trem. Although the guitar plays really well, I noticed the 2mm float of the trem on the treble side. Its only at the Bass side where the bridge meets the body. Again, is this normal. or has it been tinkered with? Would you say the rear of the trem should meet the body all the way across. I have only ever setup floating FRs before.

Is there a spec sheet for the factory setup on this? Measurements etc... which will help me sort it out if it is a problem.

 

[jongitarz]

The single coil is set up from the factory at 9/32 on the treble side, and 6/32 on the bass so someone has changed it. The bridge should be flat all the way across.

 

[NorM]

I'm no jonguitarz but the SC pup does look inverted exactly how you mentioned. What I would suggest is that you get a screwdriver out. Then while you are playing passages on all your strings, with both clean and dirty settings, adjust the pup (If necessary) till it sounds great to you. Then get out your good ruler and make measurements and write them down.

For the trem:
Try pulling up (easy now) while watching your tuner. If the pitch doesn't change then your golden. If it does then tighten down the claw on the side that's "floating" just a little bit. Then get out your good ruler and make measurements and write them down.

Hey!! I think I actually helped!
WOW!

 

[Roxy]

Filthy,
Congrats on the SM-Y2D! Looks great! I have the Sunset Purple standard top. I've read the Guitarist review too. Five Star Gold Award!!!

My single coil pickup is setup like the one pictured in the magazine review. Sounds great. However, my tremolo was just like yours, but even tilted more on the right. My guitar was ordered through Musician's Friend and factory sealed. I immediately took it to my setup shop since I'm not good with tremolo adjustments. My tech has serviced many EB/MM warranty repairs over the years and setup the bridge parallel to the top (just a little off the top). I had requested a flush setup (like the factory/EVH) so that I could add a D-Tuna. My tech said the way he setup a FR is the proper method, and to give it a try. I can safely pull up a m3 on the G string, dive bomb, warble the bar, or apply a nice classic vibrato. The guitar stays in tune great and there is no worry of damage to the top. I've checked a few setup guides, and the FR website, and they set them up this way too.

Over the weekend, I did tighten down the spring claw and set the bar flush to try out the factory/EVH setup. The guitar worked great and stayed in tune, but I couldn't get the D-Tuna to work properly. It would place my guitar slightly flat (but still in tune with itself). I may have needed to tighten the springs a bit more. But, I decided to setup the bridge with a slight float for now.

A few questions:

1) If the tremolo is setup flush, should the remaining strings stay in tune during bends? Mine didn't during my short experiment.

2) After reading the D-tuna instructions, they recommend the tremolo to be blocked and setup flush. Are the Axis cavities cut differently than the Morse for the tremolos? I've played an Axis with a D-Tuna on it that worked great, but I don't know if it was blocked, or if the tremolo rests against the body inside the cavity. On my SM-Y2D, there is space on both sides of the tremolo block.

3) Just curious, how far up in pitch do guitars with low profile bridges allow one to pull up? Or, is it mainly a comfort thing to have the bridge set lower.

People who have played my SM-Y2D have said its one of the most comfortable guitars/necks they have ever played. The pickups cover a lot of territory and the instrument is super versatile. I get the, "Wow, it plays like an old guitar" comment all the time. Then I explain about the build process from the video and tell them to check it out.

After this long discussion, now I need to go play it....

 

[Filthy_Phil]

All done Lads. Thanks for the help, much appreciated. How low is the action!!!! How cool are these guitars.

 

[jongitarz]

MMy tech has serviced many EB/MM warranty repairs over the years

 

[NorM]

MMy tech has serviced many EB/MM warranty repairs over the years

I saw that too. My thoughts were

 

[Roxy]

I guess what I meant to say was general setups & stuff. He's done warranty/authorized service for Guitar Center.

 

[jongitarz]

I'm just yankin your chain...No worries

 

[beej]

The single coil is set up from the factory at 9/32 on the treble side, and 6/32 on the bass so someone has changed it. The bridge should be flat all the way across.

The single on my Y2D came just like the one in the Filthy_Phil's picture - it's closer to the strings on the treble side, lower on the bass.

Weird.

 

[jongitarz]

It is strange...But they leave the factory at 9/32 on the treble side, and 6/32 on the bass side. That's how Steve wants 'em

 

[Filthy_Phil]

Jon,

What measurements do the other 2 pickups get set to in the factory? The treble side of the bridge HB is nearly touching the High E, the is only about 1mm gap there. And I am not convinced those are set true to the factory setup.

Thanks for your help!

 

[jongitarz]

I will double check this on Monday but I bleeb the bridge is 5/32 and the neck is 6/32