I'm sitting in a cyber cafe!

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Yeah, I have a photo somewhere....I'll have to find a friend with a scanner to scan in the pic though. I float my bridge as well, but I use something called a Hipshot Tremsetter. Get someone good with guitars to install it though....in can be tricky. Set up right, it allows you to both bend AND pull your trem, but will keep the strings in tune even when you are bending one and not another. It also allows you to adjust the tension to your liking without altering the performance! :banana

bbchris · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2002 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

Oh that sounds like a MUST - I'll ask my guitar doctor if he knows what a "Hipshot Tremsetter" is!!

I look forward to seeing a photo of your guitar. Tell your friend they are wonderful to help you to scan it in

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

MIKE BURN · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2002 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

I disabled the Tremolo on my Strat by tightening all springs on the back. I was sick of the detuning-factor

))

MIKE

bbchris · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2002 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

So is this 'de-tuning' factor of Fender Strat's a 'bad' thing??

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

It's the "going out of tune" that Mike is reffering to (calling it the "de-tuning" factor). It comes with all Strats that have tremelo systems. Some people do tighten it down pretty tight....the only problem being that you can no longer pull up on the tremelo any more.

Remember...Tone begins in the mind.

droolymutt · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2002 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

I have all the springs super tight on mine - which works fine because I prefer a subtle touch on the whammy bar. I always push - never pull, and it stays in tune fine.

My strings are .012 through .052, which I change weekly.

bbchris · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2002 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Guitar

I always thought it was this 'floating bridge' thing? I love using the whammy bar. I use 0.09 strings - I got this new brand called 'elixir' - they're brilliant! :banana

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Hello again chris. I've used Elixers for acoustic. They have pluses and minuses (like most things in life). They have a thin coating of gortex on them that really prolongs string life. On the down side, they are not as bright as the D'Addario phosphur-bronze strings I now use. Phos-bronze lasts longer and is brighter than straight bronze, so it's somewhere in the middle.

For electric, it's GHS nickel-rockers. The bass strings are warmer.....based on the music of yours that I've heard, it's probably not your thing though.

If you really like yanking your bar (and use light strings), you might consider a Floyd-Rose locking tremelo system with the Hipshot Tremsetter I mentioned. As long as you stretch your strings before playing, they should rarely go out of tune.....you will always have some tuning problems with light strings unless you use a Floyd-Rose (or similar unit). Hey, it was good enough for Eddie Van Halen!....and he uses really light strings on the bass side. 10-38 I think his sets run. If you do install a Floyd-Rose, be aware that you will lose some of the bass in your tone, and it requires routing out your guitar. So, in other words, once you've gone there you can't go back!

As you've probably guessed by now, I'm a tech-head. I first noticed your posts at the Crossroads where I sometimes post. That's how I found this place!

....one good idea is to find a guitar with the things I've mentioned already installed and try it out. That way, if you don't like it you don't have to go there. :banana

Remember...Tone begins in the mind.

Edited by: DreamTone7 at: 10/26/02 3:30:24 pm

droolymutt · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2002 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

wow - you really know your stuff Dream!!!!!

I saw you're more into amps than guitars..

I recently bought a Roland Vga-5.. - 65w, 1x12"

Are you familiar with it?

What sold me on this amp is it's warmth and clarity, plus a Delicious chorus which I use lightly when I run my acoustic through it...

Speaking of which...

How can I best control feedback when running an acoustic through an amp? I do NOT want to sacrafice EQ...I know amp placement is critical. I have it beside me, facing slightly away, miked into the p.a.

I haven't tried a soundhole cover yet. Don't wanna stuff the puppy with foam, as I often play unplugged.

Sorry - don't wanna slam you with a lot of questions - I just perked when I noticed what a tech you are...

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

That's cool drooley. Sometimes I'm more in the mood to spill my knowledge than other times. There's no way around the feedback problem that I know of. It's one of the reasons Gibson designed their 335 the way they did....with a block of wood running through the middle. I had an old ES-125T not too long ago. Very similar to the 335 (but without the block in the middle) and guess what......it had the same feedback problem you speak of! (I know these are electrics, but the problem is the same with an acoustic.) Your best bet is to try out different locations relative to the position of the amp. Off to the side (and as far away as possible), then move forward a little each time. Speakers do not radiate perfectly, and you will probably be able to find a spot that is more dead than others. Another way is EQing the feedback out.....find the frequency and just zap it down! Only problem is this usually ruins your tone. Third way is an iso-booth, but this is a studio thing that looks stupid on stage.

About your amp, I believe it is solid-state (most Rolands I know of are)......I'm more of a tube guy. If you like the solid-state thing, try and find a Roland Jazz-Chorus (2 x 12, 120 watts). They are one of the few solid-state amps I would consider using....fabulous clean sound; but they don't do the distortion thing well.

Any more questions, just drop me a note here.

Remember...Tone begins in the mind.

bbchris · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2002 3:02 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

OK! I liked these Elixir strings but they don't sell them in HK anyways and they DO sell GHS nickel-rockers here I believe.

AH! I see you met me in Crossroads - nice place there, you've reminded me to visit it again before I go on holiday.

Now I've got to copy what you wrote and ask guitarists around town if they've done this to their guitar! hahahahaha

I'm taking my acoustic guitar into town tomorrow as the strap end on the bottom has fallen out! :eek

And I want to take my acoustic on holiday. It's a blue Washburn

Thanks DreamTone7 for taking the time to explain stuff to me and others who read the posts here.

Jane Eliz|Blah Blah|Thinking Out Loud|Today's Song|

droolymutt · Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2002 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Guitar

Ditto, Dream..!!

You have a clear, concise way of conveying a lot of very useful info.

Very kind of you.!!!

Thanks again...