Question about set up for all you techs

[Roubster]

So I have submitted a thread before stating I did my first set up. That went pretty good. I was not able to lower the action less than 2mm without any buzz, but whatever, it is a freakin neck through Ibanez. SOON I shall have my Silhouette. I hope Well anyway, the question is that I have seemed to loose some sustain. My educated guess is because I changed the floating tremolo springs into a diagonal position to have more tension on the tremolo. Believe it or not I like it that way, cuz I don't go too crazy on it anyway. So is that the possible reason? I don't think it is the pickup height, since it is the same distance from the strings as it was before. That's about it. I just want to become a good guitar tech, so I am tryin to learn as much as possible. thanx

 

[Raz]

So I have submitted a thread before stating I did my first set up. That went pretty good. I was not able to lower the action less than 2mm without any buzz, but whatever, it is a freakin neck through Ibanez. SOON I shall have my Silhouette. I hope Well anyway, the question is that I have seemed to loose some sustain. My educated guess is because I changed the floating tremolo springs into a diagonal position to have more tension on the tremolo. Believe it or not I like it that way, cuz I don't go too crazy on it anyway. So is that the possible reason? I don't think it is the pickup height, since it is the same distance from the strings as it was before. That's about it. I just want to become a good guitar tech, so I am tryin to learn as much as possible. thanx

Well logically when you lower the strings, their motion of vibration after being struck, may be reduced, because of the redused distance or clearance the strings now have...while not enough to cancel the note or create buzzing, this reduction of vibration motion will have an effect on the lasting ring of said note, or as we would like to call it 'sustain'.

 

[Roubster]

Yes I completely agree with that, however I only managed to reduce the action probably by 0.1 mm. lol I basically tried to get it much lower but than I had buzzing. So I just basically brought it back up to where it was. Maybe I'm just going crazy or something. Actually, I think that happened a long time ago, but anyway

 

[jongitarz]

When you lower the strings you are putting them closer to the pickup which could be interfereing with the signal. Try lowering the p/ups.

 

[Raz]

Better yet, use the neckthru for fiewood an wait for the Silo to come in

Just kidding, (no your not) Yes, I am (sure, whatever) Who said that

 

[jongitarz]

Rabid Raz!

 

[Raz]

Rabid Raz!

I need another cup o' coffee!

 

[SteveB]

Better yet, use the neckthru for fiewood an wait for the Silo to come in

Just kidding, (no your not) Yes, I am (sure, whatever) Who said that

Raz, going a little Gollum on us?

 

[tommyindelaware]

So I have submitted a thread before stating I did my first set up. That went pretty good. I was not able to lower the action less than 2mm without any buzz, but whatever, it is a freakin neck through Ibanez. SOON I shall have my Silhouette. I hope Well anyway, the question is that I have seemed to loose some sustain. My educated guess is because I changed the floating tremolo springs into a diagonal position to have more tension on the tremolo. Believe it or not I like it that way, cuz I don't go too crazy on it anyway. So is that the possible reason? I don't think it is the pickup height, since it is the same distance from the strings as it was before. That's about it. I just want to become a good guitar tech, so I am tryin to learn as much as possible. thanx

when you strike a string....it vibrates.

the harder you strike it ( or play).........the larger the vibrating field of natural motion will be. it will need more room to vibrate naturally. ( requiring more fret clearence)

the softer you play.......the smaller the vibrating field required to vibrate naturally (requiring less clearence)

if something is inside the string's natural vibrating field....it will choke the sustain.

also like jon says...if the pickup magnets are too close....the magnetism will disrupt the natural vibration field...and cause the note to quiver & sound sour.....& choke the sustain.

 

[jazzbo jim]

for the axis pickups, tommy, how close is "too close"?

 

[Roubster]

I would use it as firewood if I freakin made like 1000 bucks a week. But I do like the guitar so far better than anything I played (which was never that much anyway). But once again that is because I am IMPATIENTLY waiting for this Silo. After that I wont have to try anything else anymore.

 

[jongitarz]

for the axis pickups, tommy, how close is "too close"?

Hi..Not Tommy here, but I think he would tell you that you should be able to hear when it's too close...Muddy etc, and you could have problems with your tuner as well...I shimmed my SSPT P/ups about 2/32(maybe less) and had no problems

 

[tommyindelaware]

for the axis pickups, tommy, how close is "too close"?

you should be able to hear when it's too close...Muddy etc, and you could have problems with your tuner as well...

 

[jazzbo jim]

Thanks guys..mine are awful close but not "Muddy,etc..". However, the signal is pretty darn hot, I was thinking that backing them off a tad might give me more flexibility.
But.. those dang Axis pups are hardmounted and routing would be required! YUCK!!

 

[Raz]

Thanks guys..mine are awful close but not "Muddy,etc..". However, the signal is pretty darn hot, I was thinking that backing them off a tad might give me more flexibility.
But.. those dang Axis pups are hardmounted and routing would be required! YUCK!!

Well you can always shim your neck like I did with my Pet., adjust your bridge (Floyd) or saddle heights (Vintage) proportionally to give you more clearance while maintaining a nice low action...

 

[tommyindelaware]

Thanks guys..mine are awful close but not "Muddy,etc..". However, the signal is pretty darn hot, I was thinking that backing them off a tad might give me more flexibility.
But.. those dang Axis pups are hardmounted and routing would be required! YUCK!!

humbuckers are alot more forgiving.............as there magnets are located lower in the pickup bobbin. the intonation issues i address are more at single coile pickups.....

also make sure when you are tuning w/ a tuner that you are using the bridge pickup , w/ the volume all the way up , and the tone control wide open.