Petrucci action question

[Ducci]

Hey guys,

So after a long but completely worth it process, I've got my guitar issues resolved. Huge credit and thanks to Pete Dubaldo and AJ in Customer Service!

So after playing the JP factory setup (twice, technically) and having to go back to my older guitars for a bit, I've come to the realization that the ridiculously low action is not for me. The guitar is great in every way except oddly enough low action makes it harder for me to play (even legato/tapping stuff, but especially bending)!

So, the question I have is what's the best way to go about raising my action? I know the EB FAQ says the best way is the truss rod, but there's no way this will get totally where I want be. Its part of the equation for sure, but I should stress I like it HIGH, way higher than anybody else I know has it. Before I go and do this (because I hate doing it on Floyd's), are the trem posts able to be raised? If so is it kosher to just loosen them as is, or is there a better process so the "metal on metal" isn't so bad? I've read that raising the saddles isn't the best way to go about it, so I'd like to try all other options first.

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[shredhed]

Your saddles will already be set to the right radius so don't mess with those.

If you want to raise to trem, loosen the strings so that the tension doesn't ruin your knife edges on the trem.

I wouldn't mess with the trussrod. Reason being, it's already set and if you want to come back to where you started, changing it now will make it harder to do that.

Just raise the trem

 

[Ducci]

All good advice there. Waiting on the truss (if doing it at all) is definitely wise. I have a feeling having it as straight as it is might not be to my liking though, but I'll see it through first.

So loosening the strings will ease the grinding on the posts? Sounds right to me. It's still nauseating to do that, but it is a necessary evil I suppose. Thank you sir!

 

[Ducci]

Wow, these posts actually turn really smoothly. Nothing like I've experienced on other Floating setups. With some slight adjustments to the bridge height and a tad more relief on the neck and we're in business!

 

[ScoobySteve]

Holy no avatars Batman! But glad to see that CS pulled through. =D

 

[Dante]

oh man... you turned the trem posts didn't you?

make darn sure the trem isn't skewed on them... (that both angles are 90 degrees).

 

[Ducci]

Yeah I turned the posts. I did the same amount of turn on each and everything looks solid. Its playing almost exactly how I'd like it to at the moment, minus the near-future gauge switch and potentially some more relief in the neck after it sits a while. What's the big deal? I was just looking for suggestions on reducing the friction, but it wasn't necessary because they turn like butter.

Besides, what's wrong with having the bridge slightly skewed anyways? As far as I know that's perfectly fine on almost all other floating trems. I like to keep things straight personally (and the springs even on the underside), but I'm curious.

 

[Dante]

as precaution, maybe you could ask Customer Service the same thing.

but, iirc, EBMM trems are made to be kept with pure straight angles. anything other than that could result in damage to the trem posts.

 

[TheShreddinHand]

Bridge should be flat and right in line/flush with the body and then you use the 2 small screws on each saddle to raise and lower action as you see fit.

-Eric

 

[Roubster]

Bridge should be flat and right in line/flush with the body and then you use the 2 small screws on each saddle to raise and lower action as you see fit.

-Eric

I concur! No reason to touch the trem posts at all.

 

[Ducci]

I concur! No reason to touch the trem posts at all.

On this guitar I don't think that's much of an option. I read through the FAQ and they're not supposed to touch the trem cover, and because of the cover raising the saddle wouldn't have gotten me even close to the height I wanted before it'd be touching. I'm surprised there's this much opposition to using the posts, there are several places in the FAQ that state "raise the bridge" in regards to the Petrucci's. I did perfectly even turns, and it's not like its sailing high above the body now. Just enough to give the extra height I wanted that the truss rod wasn't.

I'm also surprised there's this much disagreement in setup approaches. Some say to do one thing and others say that's a horrible idea! Perhaps its time for a rewrite of the rather ambiguous FAQ?

 

[Slowlicks]

I just finished my jpx setup. New Regular 10's, 4 springs, nice and level with the body top, all strings at 1mm at the 12th....... Buttaaa.. I'm lovin it more and more every day.

Ducci,
Respectfully, You may want to have a tech do it for you if your unsure. Ask him to let you watch... he can only answer yes or no..
either way it will be the action you want. Wish you success.