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Post by joachim on Apr 7, 2014 10:42:46 GMT -6
I wondered how important guitar calibration is. Do you all have your instruments calibrated (for example for intonation) at a guitar shop?
When I tune my guitar for open strings, the 12th frets can be quite a bit off tune, but I am not sure it really matters at the level I am at.
What kind of calibrations do you make for a lower-end instruments, how costly it is, and how frequently should it be recalibrated? I have en Epiphone Les Paul, which I am happy with, but it seems to have a problem with intonation, and the nut seems very high - I can barely press the low E string down on 1st fret. I become aware of the intonation problem when I practiced bends with a tuner, but I have to admit my own perception currently isn't that picky...
Joachim
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Post by Phil on Apr 7, 2014 12:39:38 GMT -6
This is a great question, Joachim. What you are referring to is called a "setup" in the U.S. and includes adjusting the truss rod, the action (string height), intonation, filing frets to eliminate string buzz, etc. I've seen various videos that say this is important and should be done when you 1st buy the guitar and every year or 2 afterward. I've never had it done, but I'd like to. There are several youtube videos that show you how to do it yourself and at least one guy who insists that you should learn to do this yourself and not pay anybody (especially someone who really doesn't know what they are doing but claims to know).
I'm interested in hearing some opinions on this subject. Thanks for bringing this up. I'll bet the new forum member, Licorice Pete, has some insight into this.
Phil
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Post by licoricepete on Apr 7, 2014 17:38:56 GMT -6
Well I would definitely say that your intonation is important. If you are off at the 12th fret you are off on notes between those two points on the fret board also. Its not real hard to fix if you have the time, patients and the tools to do it. I never take my guitars to the guitar shops around here because they don't have any better tools to work with than I do. When you are comparing notes are you actually pressing down on the 12th fret or are you playing a harmonic at the 12th fret?
Before you try to change the intonation there are a few things that has to be checked first. First of all, has your neck got the correct curvature? If you have a capo, place it just behind the first fret (make sure your guitar is in tune) then press down on the 6th string on the last fret of the neck ( not behind the fret, on top of the fret) Then check the distance from the top of the 9th fret to the bottom of the 6th string. A set of feeler gauges will be needed to get an accurate measurement. The distance should be approx......... 0.010 " . If it isn't, you will have to correct the neck with the allen wrench that came with your guitar. With any adjustment of the neck, you will have to re-tune your guitar to pitch again and recheck the clearance. Once you are satisfied with the results, adjust your string height to where you like it. Re-tune if necessary and then correct the intonation using a good guitar tuner. Take your time and go over the whole 6 strings a couple of time to make sure the intonation is correct on each string. When you are satisfied with the intonation, re-tune if necessary and play your guitar. Nice huh? If you have access to a strobe for checking intonation, that would be perfect but most guitar players and guitar shops don't have them. So use the best guitar tuner that you can find, borrow or afford to buy.
I hope I explained things well enough for you to understand. Sometimes it is easy to do but difficult to put down on paper. If you google, you can find some good literature on the subject.
Keep rockin,
Licorice Pete
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Post by joachim on Apr 8, 2014 11:46:02 GMT -6
Pete, thanks for the detailed answer - it was very educating! I might have a go at adjusting the guitar myself, but I should probably wait until I get a second guitar for backup...
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Post by licoricepete on Apr 8, 2014 15:27:35 GMT -6
If the guitar has never been set up, you are not going to believe the difference in the feel of the guitar. I have never had a guitar that I did not have to set up after you play it for a while. As for the nut feeling to high, I am going to guess that it may be due to the set up because a nut is either right or it is not which depends on the factory setting the nut. You don't want the nut too high because it make the guitar harder to play open chords and notes, but if it is too low you will have problems with fret buzz. Push down on the Low E string at the third fret. Does the string hit the 1st fret ? If does, the nut is too low, There should be about .007" between the 1st fret and the bottom of the string. In other words, can you see light under the string on the first fret while pushing down on the third fret ?
Did you check the curvature of the neck ? You can just use your fingers to push on the string at the first and last fret and see if there is a lot of space between the string at the 8 th or 9th fret.
I hope that I shed some light on the subject for you. If you are going to play guitar ya got to learn to be a bit of a technician too.
Licorice Pete
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Post by joachim on Apr 9, 2014 8:21:06 GMT -6
When I push down the low E string on the 3rd fret, I see space between the string and the fret, probably quite abit, but I cannot say how much exactly.
Regarding the curvature of neck: I placed a capo just before the first fret and pressed down on the last fret. Then I would say there is barely any space at all between the string and the 9th fret, but I need to borrow a gauge.
Thanks alot for taking the time to explain this to me - it is much appreciated!
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Post by licoricepete on Apr 9, 2014 9:40:08 GMT -6
You are welcome joachim, glad to help out a fellow muscian.
Licorice Pete
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