Is there something wrong with my EB/MM/JP or the local tech?

[misery]

I have a four months old EB/MM/JP that I bought partly because I wanted low action. When I got it new from Ernie Ball, it was set up with 010 and fairly high action (factory setup).

I got it stringed with 009 at a local music store and told them to lower the action. When I got it back, I found out that 009 didn't work with my guitar/setup. Notes would die if I bended a whole step. I changed back to 010 myself, but as it was set up to fit the 009, the action were too high. I tried to adjust the action myself, and got it lower, but it would buzz a lot.

Since I wasn't entirely happy with the store that set it up, I decided to go to another store to get it set up properly with 010. When I got it back today, it didn't buzz, but the action were "as low as we could get it", but I wouldn't imagine that John Petrucci actually would play on a guitar set up like that. The bridge isn't straight, and I find that very strange. The guy in the shop said it was perfectly normal, but I could remove one of the three springs on the back on my guitar, if I wanted the bridge to stay straight.

I'm scared.

I think I would like to set it up myself, as I evidently can't trust these stores. Is it hard to set up my guitar with low action? If I can't get low action, I'll sell it and buy a better instrument that can.

 

[Jimi D]

Chances are it's the guys doing the setup... If I read your post correctly, they've torqued the trem down so the back touches the body, allowing down-bends only, when in fact it's supposed to be floating. The problem with a good set up is that it's really a lengthy process - adjusting the relationships between neck relief, post height, spring tension, saddle height and pickup height is painstaking and finicky work, and most people don't want to take the time to do it right... Best thing is learn to do it yourself, imho, and the best way to do that is buy a good book...

 

[Havaball]

That was the same way with my Luke. I took it in too have a setup done and the string tension was too loose causing slack strings in turn causing a little buzz here and there. The action was still a little high for my taste. I consulted EB repair guys and they told me they set there axes at 2/32 on all of the strings. That would be about 4/64. Thats pretty high for me but after I did some adjusting and fiddling I was able to setup halfway decent. The action is still high but very manageable to play and sounds good. I still have some more tinkering to do as I am still learning. I think having low profile frets makes your mind think " high action? I can't fly on this fretboard", but if you get use to it, it actually plays pretty well. My LesPaul has a low 3/64 action but has high frets so there is a definate big differance between the frets on both guitars. And feel as well with the scale length. But I am like you, I like low action and I am getting discouraged with finding an axe to suite my needs and this could get expensive. I thought about an Ibanez. But what the hell Yngwie Malmsteen and Stevie Vaughn use to play with about 5/64 action height and it didn't slow them down.

 

[misery]

Thanks for the responses!

My frustration has got me interested in learning about setups. Do you have any books to suggest about this topic? I'm the kind of guy who wants to know the ins and outs, not being dependent on an expensive tech.

 

[Jimi D]

Dan Erlewine's Guitar Player Repair Guide is the one I use - it's been invaluable!

 

[the_g_man]

Dan Erlewine's Guitar Player Repair Guide is the one I use - it's been invaluable!

The absolute bible pertaining to guitar setup!

 

[punkin]

There's something screwey here...I own an EB JMP.

This thing came "factory" with a very low action. I'm transitioning from my JEM which I thought had a moderate to low action already. The JMP feels much lower. In fact I have to work on relaxing and playing lighter on the frets to get the best sound of the JPM.

IMHO, I'd say, call the Ernie Ball guys and/or take it somewhere else.