fridays GUITAR thread

[Minte]

I didn't buy anything this week. But I did think about it.

[dyna mo]

I restrung my LP last nite, top wrap.

Minte, have you tried this method?

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I restrung my LP last nite, top wrap.

Minte, have you tried this method?

I haven't, is there a reason to do it that way?

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

I haven't, is there a reason to do it that way?

It's a trick Joe Bonamassa uses.

Here's a blurb about it

There?s a standard way of stringing a Les Paul or other stop tailpiece-equipped axe, and it works perfectly fine. And so it should! The darn things were designed to work that way! But there?s another method that some players swear by, often called ?top wrapping.? This is a simple trick which anyone can do, and it?s totally reversible (although there?s a small risk of scuffing up your tailpiece, so if that?s a concern for you you may want to pick up a spare tailpiece).

All you need to do is lower the tailpiece right down against the body, poke the strings through the ?wrong? end of the tailpiece (from the pickup side instead of the tailpiece side), then thread them back towards the bridge and thread them through the tuner posts like you normally would. And that?s it!

There are two main reasons that players might employ this method of stringing: string slinkiness and sustain.

String Slinkiness

Top-wrapping creates a shallower break angle over the bridge saddle, since the strings pass from the top of the bridge instead of halfway through it, and many players report that their strings feel looser and slinkier as a result. The idea is that with the shallower break angle, the strings are free to move more easily over the bridge when you bend. By the way, as with any setup, it?s a good idea to use some kind of lubricant at the saddles and nut slots.



Sustain

Secondly, players report an increase in bottom end and sustain when they top-wrap, and they attribute this to the fact that the tailpiece is screwed right down against the body, creating a more efficient transfer of energy from the string into the body, and from the body back into the string.

I tried this with my Gibson Les Paul Traditional and I definitely noticed an improvement in string bendability, low end and sustain, although this will be more apparent on some guitars than others, on a ?piece-of-wood-by-piece-of-wood? basis. Next string change, consider giving it a try to see if it works for you!

[Yo Adrian]

I put in an hour of practice on my bass this morning before starting work. Learning a new pedal I just picked up last week.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Yo Adrian

I put in an hour of practice on my bass this morning before starting work. Learning a new pedal I just picked up last week.

Which pedal did you get?

[Rebel D]

i think i may have some old bass pedals around if you want them

[magicmarketingsoftware]

Originally Posted by Minte

I didn't buy anything this week. But I did think about it.

so buy it when u want.

[romeo22]

coool story bro..im going to buy a hooker

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

It's a trick Joe Bonamassa uses.

Here's a blurb about it

Ok, that makes sense, at least for bending notes. The sustain thing...maybe.
But I am going to restring one of my Les Pauls that way and see how it works out.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

Ok, that makes sense, at least for bending notes. The sustain thing...maybe.
But I am going to restring one of my Les Pauls that way and see how it works out.

Right on, I'd be interested in what you think about it. The reason I decided to give it a whirl is my big E string was slightly touching the back of the bridge anyway, so I was going to have to adjust the tail regardless. I figured I'd just screw it down and top wrap.

And many of the songs I play have quite a few bends in them, am looking forward to seeing if I can tell a difference in that regard.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Right on, I'd be interested in what you think about it. The reason I decided to give it a whirl is my big E string was slightly touching the back of the bridge anyway, so I was going to have to adjust the tail regardless. I figured I'd just screw it down and top wrap.

And many of the songs I play have quite a few bends in them, am looking forward to seeing if I can tell a difference in that regard.

I had 2 of my strats set up and the big change was switching to the Ernie Ball cobalts in 9's..
They are a serious upgrade for bending notes and holding good sustain.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by magicmarketingsoftware

so buy it when u want.

Thanks for the advice.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

I had 2 of my strats set up and the big change was switching to the Ernie Ball cobalts in 9's..
They are a serious upgrade for bending notes and holding good sustain.

I'll give those a whirl. I stick to nines anyhoo. I have been buying the 10 pack of d'arddios xl, it works out to ~$3/set which is pretty economical and I like putting fresh strings on often, except for the LP, I kept the originals on for ~6 weeks, loved em.

[dyna mo]

Minte, what are your thoughts on a wound G string?

[Zeiss]

I bought lots of shit this week and expecting more deliveries soon.. .:P

[Minte]

Originally Posted by Zealotry

I bought lots of shit this week and expecting more deliveries soon.. .:P

currentlysober's fake nick?

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Minte, what are your thoughts on a wound G string?

Halle Berry looks great in one!



On a guitar, not as much. I use the g a lot up high. Those have so much tension they give the callouses a serious workout.

[Zeiss]

Originally Posted by Minte

currentlysober's fake nick?

No. Things I need to play.

[Minte]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I'll give those a whirl. I stick to nines anyhoo. I have been buying the 10 pack of d'arddios xl, it works out to ~$3/set which is pretty economical and I like putting fresh strings on often, except for the LP, I kept the originals on for ~6 weeks, loved em.

Not sure if you are aware of the String Club from Guitar Centers. One set of free strings every month.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/String-Club-g26620t0.gc

[Zeiss]

Originally Posted by Minte

Not sure if you are aware of the String Club from Guitar Centers. One set of free strings every month.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/String-Club-g26620t0.gc

With my rate of fucking up strings, they will go bankrupt...

[ruff]

Has anyone tried out TronicalTune? Looks interesting. I'm thinking about get a set for my 64 strat.

[jollyhumper]

I am going to practice for an hour now on my Strat, no new strings today but I tend to change them every 4th or 5th week. I'm using Fender Bulletstrings 009, they're cheap, sounds good although they do die a bit quicker than other strings.

I don't have my amp here atm, so I'll put my headphones into my Pod HD300 and practice on that one.

Jolly

[iSpyCams]

Not a guitar still guitar related: I got a call from my account rep at Sweetwater today and he told me my backorder is came in stock and I should have one of these: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VoiceLive3

On my doorstep tomorrow.

[LBBV]

Originally Posted by ruff

Has anyone tried out TronicalTune? Looks interesting. I'm thinking about get a set for my 64 strat.

I would also be interested to hear if anyone here is using one. Seems pretty cool and of course, lots cheaper than the Gibson robot ax.

-- Bill

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by pompousjohn

Not a guitar still guitar related: I got a call from my account rep at Sweetwater today and he told me my backorder is came in stock and I should have one of these: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VoiceLive3

On my doorstep tomorrow.

I have the voicelive play, it's damn nice. I run it into a boss rc300 loop station which has a ton of effects so I didn't need the extra effects on the voicelive

[iSpyCams]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I have the voicelive play, it's damn nice. I run it into a boss rc300 loop station which has a ton of effects so I didn't need the extra effects on the voicelive

I've been using the voicelive 2 for years, and it has really upped my game as a vocalist. I don't use too many features but just being able to control my mic gain, reverb and delay on stage is huge. Tone control and guitar tuner are great too. Plus I use the extra outputs to feed my wireless in ear so I never have to worry about if I can hear myself in the monitors.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by pompousjohn

I've been using the voicelive 2 for years, and it has really upped my game as a vocalist. I don't use too many features but just being able to control my mic gain, reverb and delay on stage is huge. Tone control and guitar tuner are great too. Plus I use the extra outputs to feed my wireless in ear so I never have to worry about if I can hear myself in the monitors.

nice, which mic are you using? I'm on the mp-75 and like it a lot but don't have a whole lot of experience with them.

[iSpyCams]

My trusty SM58 finally developed some issues after 15 years of faithfull service so I went and got a Senheiser e835. I don't know if its just me or maybe my beat up SM58 but the Senheiser seems to have a lot more punch and clarity.

[dyna mo]

Can you operate the voicelive via that mic?

[iSpyCams]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Can you operate the voicelive via that mic?

There is a version that has a button on it I understand it operates some functions but mine doesn't have that.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Minte

Not sure if you are aware of the String Club from Guitar Centers. One set of free strings every month.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/String-Club-g26620t0.gc

I was not aware, but will be dropping by the hollywood gc to sign up for this tomorrow.

thx for the heads-up!

[2MuchMark]

I just bought a guitar and amp about a month ago and am loving it. I can't play very well yet but I'm learning my chords and learning to put them together into simple songs. I'm even started (ugh) singing... ! Don't worry I promise not to pollute GFY with any of that.

I'm currently trying to play the rhythm guitar to Hail to the King (not the lead, too hard for me right now).

[2MuchMark]

I look exactly like this guy when I play



awesome!

[iwantchixx]

I think I'm done buying guitars stuff for awhile but I am going to add an audio interface, controller, sm57 mic and then studio monitors (yahama hs8 most likely) to my collection next. Probably pick up everything except the monitors next weekend.

[iwantchixx]

Originally Posted by **********

I look exactly like this guy when I play



awesome!

he has a nice tone heh

the tuning for that track sucks to have to tune down for though.. takes the intonation out

[JFK]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

Minte, what are your thoughts on a wound G string?

depends on what it's wound around

[iwantchixx]

trying to lean that Hail to the king backing solo part now.. its simple on paper but fuck me if I cant get through it all without forearm-burn-galore lol

I always have a problem with stuff like 5h8p5p0 over and over heh

[Zeiss]

What's with all the crap posted here!? When instruments' models, inscriptions and logos start to play instead of you, call me. I'll be around... Just in case.

[Minte]

ok, here's one I recorded during a practice session right after I got the LP R9 last fall.. I'll add a new one tomorrow.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

I think I'm done buying guitars stuff for awhile but I am going to add an audio interface, controller, sm57 mic and then studio monitors (yahama hs8 most likely) to my collection next. Probably pick up everything except the monitors next weekend.

I have a question for you:

Is there such a thing as a mixer, that you can control by computer? For example, I would connect my various audio inputs such as mic, guitar, etc into the box, with output going to an amp, but then with a USB cable connected to my computer that would let me see all the levels, control each channel, etc?

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

he has a nice tone heh

the tuning for that track sucks to have to tune down for though.. takes the intonation out

Arrgghhh you mean I have to detune to get that sound? No wonder ... I tried watching really closely and even found another tutorial on how to play it and I couldn't even come close to getting that sound. It didn't occur to me to detune. Sigh.

[iwantchixx]

Originally Posted by **********

Arrgghhh you mean I have to detune to get that sound? No wonder ... I tried watching really closely and even found another tutorial on how to play it and I couldn't even come close to getting that sound. It didn't occur to me to detune. Sigh.

yeah, down a half step, then drop E string down another step

fattest to skinniest string

c g c f a d

[iwantchixx]

Originally Posted by **********

I have a question for you:

Is there such a thing as a mixer, that you can control by computer? For example, I would connect my various audio inputs such as mic, guitar, etc into the box, with output going to an amp, but then with a USB cable connected to my computer that would let me see all the levels, control each channel, etc?

Yes, but you are looking at a lot of $$$
http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/b... gital_mixer/

[Minte]

Originally Posted by pompousjohn

Not a guitar still guitar related: I got a call from my account rep at Sweetwater today and he told me my backorder is came in stock and I should have one of these: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VoiceLive3

On my doorstep tomorrow.

I watched the video this morning. That's really an amazing piece of technology.

[iwantchixx]

What a tone!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

What a tone!

hah, what a kick ass bedroom amp of doom. even at 1w it sounds fantastic.

Gotta kick outta the backstory on the grill.

I guess ya got to get another amp for clean tones if you go with this eh, no clean channel?

[iwantchixx]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

hah, what a kick ass bedroom amp of doom. even at 1w it sounds fantastic.

Gotta kick outta the backstory on the grill.

I guess ya got to get another amp for clean tones if you go with this eh, no clean channel?

As with guitar amps in general before "multi-channel" became the norm for differentiation between distortion and clean, just turn off boost and roll back the guitar's volume as Iommi did

Or as an old bandmate did, employ the use of a volume pedal with it blocked at the clean position so sound doesn't shut off completely at fully low-position when rolled back and just roll forward to increase gain. He was able to go from ringing bell cleans to full on melt-your-face lead tones on his Rockmaster preamp doing so. So it should be easy enough on this setup, too.

In-fact, I rarely use my Blackstar clean channel, it's too (boutique) for my liking. I just set neck volume to low and when I need clean, there she is

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

As with guitar amps in general before "multi-channel" became the norm for differentiation between distortion and clean, just turn off boost and roll back the guitar's volume as Iommi did

Or as an old bandmate did, employ the use of a volume pedal with it blocked at the clean position so sound doesn't shut off completely at fully low-position when rolled back and just roll forward to increase gain. He was able to go from ringing bell cleans to full on melt-your-face lead tones on his Rockmaster preamp doing so. So it should be easy enough on this setup, too.

In-fact, I rarely use my Blackstar clean channel, it's too (boutique) for my liking. I just set neck volume to low and when I need clean, there she is

Yeajh, I'm running through vintage silvertones now and that's what I do. I got the impression from the review though that the gain is always on with this amp.

[DukeSkywalker]

Minte, I finally received one of my custom builds. Ill post a pic later
Duke