I really hope this helps people get their guitars playing the way they want them to 🎸 Check out my Fourthwall Site (Like Patreon) waylonmcpherson-shop.fourthwall.com/
Totally agree. Cheap guitars are cheap because of the less work for the details. Every guitar needs some love. You have to listen and you have to pay attention of the behavior of your guitar. And you have to look for the details. How is the tone developing, how is your guitar resonating, is everything working well, the tuners, the vibrato system, does it stay in tune, is the intonation right, all the electrical parts and if there is something wrong, you have to find the problems. I start first unplugged and then plugged with my amp. It helps a lot if you can name the problems, it's the first step. I really learned a lot by trying out some things. It helps me now to set up my guitars the way I like. I'm still learning some tricks by watching videos and by talking to guitarists and luthiers. Maybe ist a good starting point to set up a guitar kit. It's making fun and you can learn a lot and you have possibilities to customize your guitar.
Getting the nut cut right is absolutely critical in making the guitar or bass playable. Normally, from the factory, they're just too high - which is fine, because you can lower each slot. Some, however, are cut wrong: The highest point (from where the string can vibrate freely above the fretboard) is somewhere in the middle of that nut instead of at the very edge - where it should be. I've had people come in completely despairing why some strings kept sounding like a sitar even though they've replaced them. A nut with wrong, widening or tapered slots can definitely ruin your enjoyment of that instrument.
Zero fret takes nut cutting mostly out of the equation. The becomes simply a side to side string guide. Zeroglide makes some for most fretted instruments, and the fret maker sintom? In Belarus makes them too. Pretty easy to install, eliminates poorly cut nut slots as an issue.
Just tried my hand at fret levelling and cutting the nuts on four of my guitars (two Epiphones , a squier and a cort acoustic and the difference isn't minimal to me, it's made a drastic difference to how they sound. Before hand I could never get my action below 3mm on either side, now down to just over 2mm on the low E and just over 1.6 mm on the high E and they feel great to play!
If you made a set of videos in ordered steps for a proper setup i.e. Measurements before you start, neck straightening, fret level, nut slots, etc I would definitely use it.
Theres a difference between the guitar that plays the best and the guitar that sounds the best. Tool me years to realize but guys like yngwie prove it. I spent yrs getting the easiest possible playing guitar but realized later that "easy enough" is the goal. Same argument for intonation
Yes, the truss rod needs to be adjusted to get the neck super straight before fret levelling can start, then again later on in the setup process, cheers!
The only two new guitars I had bought well some parts of the level and crown was done, just no polishing so it felt all rusty/sandy/gritty though at least a home polish job is easy to do.
I really hope this helps people get their guitars playing the way they want them to 🎸
Check out my Fourthwall Site (Like Patreon) waylonmcpherson-shop.fourthwall.com/
Awesome stuff! Great explanation great content.. subscribed! Keep up the great work mate 👍
Awesome, thank you!
Totally agree. Cheap guitars are cheap because of the less work for the details. Every guitar needs some love. You have to listen and you have to pay attention of the behavior of your guitar. And you have to look for the details.
How is the tone developing, how is your guitar resonating, is everything working well, the tuners, the vibrato system, does it stay in tune, is the intonation right, all the electrical parts and if there is something wrong, you have to find the problems. I start first unplugged and then plugged with my amp.
It helps a lot if you can name the problems, it's the first step. I really learned a lot by trying out some things. It helps me now to set up my guitars the way I like. I'm still learning some tricks by watching videos and by talking to guitarists and luthiers. Maybe ist a good starting point to set up a guitar kit. It's making fun and you can learn a lot and you have possibilities to customize your guitar.
Getting the nut cut right is absolutely critical in making the guitar or bass playable.
Normally, from the factory, they're just too high - which is fine, because you can lower each slot.
Some, however, are cut wrong:
The highest point (from where the string can vibrate freely above the fretboard) is somewhere in the middle of that nut instead of at the very edge - where it should be.
I've had people come in completely despairing why some strings kept sounding like a sitar even though they've replaced them.
A nut with wrong, widening or tapered slots can definitely ruin your enjoyment of that instrument.
so true, thanks!
great points. it was years before I realised the nut cutting isue, improved my guitars out of sight.
Mine sucks mostly because of the guy behind it, who lacks natural talent. 🙂🙂🙂 very similar to my golf clubs😂
haha! Nice 🤣
Zero fret takes nut cutting mostly out of the equation. The becomes simply a side to side string guide. Zeroglide makes some for most fretted instruments, and the fret maker sintom? In Belarus makes them too. Pretty easy to install, eliminates poorly cut nut slots as an issue.
Just tried my hand at fret levelling and cutting the nuts on four of my guitars (two Epiphones , a squier and a cort acoustic and the difference isn't minimal to me, it's made a drastic difference to how they sound.
Before hand I could never get my action below 3mm on either side, now down to just over 2mm on the low E and just over 1.6 mm on the high E and they feel great to play!
May be able to get the cratex wheels cheaper from a jewelery tool supplier than StewMac. Especially with StewMacs high shipping and handling charges.
If you made a set of videos in ordered steps for a proper setup i.e. Measurements before you start, neck straightening, fret level, nut slots, etc I would definitely use it.
Thanks Mike, I will be doing that eventually on My new Fourthwall site waylonmcpherson-shop.fourthwall.com/ good to know there is some interest :)
Theres a difference between the guitar that plays the best and the guitar that sounds the best.
Tool me years to realize but guys like yngwie prove it.
I spent yrs getting the easiest possible playing guitar but realized later that "easy enough" is the goal.
Same argument for intonation
I wish I lived in the same country as you...
when you fret level do you adjust the truss rod?
Yes, the truss rod needs to be adjusted to get the neck super straight before fret levelling can start, then again later on in the setup process, cheers!
Great Video!
Thanks!
The only two new guitars I had bought well some parts of the level and crown was done, just no polishing so it felt all rusty/sandy/gritty though at least a home polish job is easy to do.
how much does this cost?
Its
all kidding aside you adapt. all guitars are different. you have to adapt and overcome.
why are you talking shit about my guitar?
Just practice a lot, quit geeking about the gear…