Ask a guitar tech

[Hyperionguitarworks]

I’m still very new to rig talk so if this isn’t the right place to post this let me know. I’m really digging this community and I like to share some knowledge with anyone who could use the help. Anyway I’m tech/luthier/jackofmost musical related stuff. The only thing I don’t really mess with is amp repair, I mess around with my own stuff but I’m not knowledgeable enough to help others. I have near 20 years experience, I kinda specialize in low tuning heavy music leaning tech stuff. Ask em if you got em.

 

[jchrisf]

Welcome, I am fairly new here too.

What tools do you recommend for fret leveling jobs? I don't have access to a good tech around me so I'm going to be doing them myself. Can I get away with the lesser expensive tools at Philadelphia Luthier or should I stick to Stew Mac here? Thanks!

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

Welcome, I am fairly new here too.

What tools do you recommend for fret leveling jobs? I don't have access to a good tech around me so I'm going to be doing them myself. Can I get away with the lesser expensive tools at Philadelphia Luthier or should I stick to Stew Mac here? Thanks!

You can absolutely use tools from Philadelphia luthier or even ebay, I've had a long love hate relationship with stewmac but we'll save that for another time.

To do a basic fret level you'll need some sort of leveling block, adhesive backed sand paper, 180, 220 grit for leveling and from 320 to 2000 (at least) for polishing and a crowing file, If you have a few extra bucks get the fret rocker and nut files.

If your buying from Philadelphia luthier Id get the 16" sanding beam, high fret finder, and the hosco crowing file that matches your frets. If you can find a local auto body paint place you can buy single sheets of sand paper for less than a dollar. You'll only need 1 sheet of each.


Do you know how to set up a guitar? Why do you think you need a fret level? Are you familiar with how to level frets?

 

[rottingcorpse]

All of the main guitars in my stable are very agreeable and co-operative. But I have one that is always talking shit,and it keeps threatening to tell the cops that I am abusive. I have had to resort to just putting it in its case and ignoring it for a while,but when I eventually pull it out and try to reason with it...all hell breaks loose again. I buy it new strings,and it bitches that I bought the wrong brand. I plug it into my favorite amp,and it complains that it doesn't like that amp and wants me to go to the storage unit and get a different amp. It complains that I never take it anywhere. It doesn't like the way my friends and family talk about it. It's jealous of my other guitars. I tell it it's very pretty all the time,but it just sits and stares at me...daring me to touch it so it can hurt me with its horrible attitude.

I have seriously considered couples therapy,but it's to the point now that I just want to smash it and bury it in the back yard. I have already had to remove it from my will,and am afraid it will try to hurt me as I am sleeping. I would like to just let it go,but it knows were I live. I may have to just hire someone to make it "go away".

With all that being said....would you suggest passive or active pickups?

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

All of the main guitars in my stable are very agreeable and co-operative. But I have one that is always talking shit,and it keeps threatening to tell the cops that I am abusive. I have had to resort to just putting it in its case and ignoring it for a while,but when I eventually pull it out and try to reason with it...all hell breaks loose again. I buy it new strings,and it bitches that I bought the wrong brand. I plug it into my favorite amp,and it complains that it doesn't like that amp and wants me to go to the storage unit and get a different amp. It complains that I never take it anywhere. It doesn't like the way my friends and family talk about it. It's jealous of my other guitars. I tell it it's very pretty all the time,but it just sits and stares at me...daring me to touch it so it can hurt me with its horrible attitude.

I have seriously considered couples therapy,but it's to the point now that I just want to smash it and bury it in the back yard. I have already had to remove it from my will,and am afraid it will try to hurt me as I am sleeping. I would like to just let it go,but it knows were I live. I may have to just hire someone to make it "go away".

With all that being said....would you suggest passive or active pickups?

This reminds me of every les paul I've owned but to answer your question. Active all day everyday.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I told that guitar what you just said,and it said you're a pickup racist.

it is coming for you.
lock your doors.

 

[jchrisf]

You can absolutely use tools from Philadelphia luthier or even ebay, I've had a long love hate relationship with stewmac but we'll save that for another time.

To do a basic fret level you'll need some sort of leveling block, adhesive backed sand paper, 180, 220 grit for leveling and from 320 to 2000 (at least) for polishing and a crowing file, If you have a few extra bucks get the fret rocker and nut files.

If your buying from Philadelphia luthier Id get the 16" sanding beam, high fret finder, and the hosco crowing file that matches your frets. If you can find a local auto body paint place you can buy single sheets of sand paper for less than a dollar. You'll only need 1 sheet of each.


Do you know how to set up a guitar? Why do you think you need a fret level? Are you familiar with how to level frets?

Thanks for the info.. what sand paper do you recommend for the sanding beam? I bought a sanding beam off etsy a few years ago (19") and used it on a couple of older guitars I don't play much anymore and they came out pretty good. My sand paper was a roll of adhesive type that was all I could find at the time and it wore out too fast. I want to get better, longer lasting sand paper this time and hopefully something that is the correct width and doesn't need to have the width cut.

I've done setups in the past but my guitars that need work have high frets so it is impossible to get them setup correctly without buzz on some strings.. very frustrating. I always used the business card trick to set my truss rod. I think I will get some feeler gauges to be more accurate. I've been watching a lot of videos on how to setup a guitar and plan to use more accurate measurements than in the past. I recently purchased a string action gauge off Amazon so I won't be using the nickel and dime technique anymore

I used StewMac's expensive Z-File fret crowning file. What fret-end file do you recommend? I've seen people use a block at 45 degrees across the whole fretboard and others use a small file to shape each individual fret.

 

[stratjacket]

All of the main guitars in my stable are very agreeable and co-operative. But I have one that is always talking shit,and it keeps threatening to tell the cops that I am abusive. I have had to resort to just putting it in its case and ignoring it for a while,but when I eventually pull it out and try to reason with it...all hell breaks loose again. I buy it new strings,and it bitches that I bought the wrong brand. I plug it into my favorite amp,and it complains that it doesn't like that amp and wants me to go to the storage unit and get a different amp. It complains that I never take it anywhere. It doesn't like the way my friends and family talk about it. It's jealous of my other guitars. I tell it it's very pretty all the time,but it just sits and stares at me...daring me to touch it so it can hurt me with its horrible attitude.

I have seriously considered couples therapy,but it's to the point now that I just want to smash it and bury it in the back yard. I have already had to remove it from my will,and am afraid it will try to hurt me as I am sleeping. I would like to just let it go,but it knows were I live. I may have to just hire someone to make it "go away".

With all that being said....would you suggest passive or active pickups?

That’s petty damn funny

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

Thanks for the info.. what sand paper do you recommend for the sanding beam? I bought a sanding beam off etsy a few years ago (19") and used it on a couple of older guitars I don't play much anymore and they came out pretty good. My sand paper was a roll of adhesive type that was all I could find at the time and it wore out too fast. I want to get better, longer lasting sand paper this time and hopefully something that is the correct width and doesn't need to have the width cut.

I've done setups in the past but my guitars that need work have high frets so it is impossible to get them setup correctly without buzz on some strings.. very frustrating. I always used the business card trick to set my truss rod. I think I will get some feeler gauges to be more accurate. I've been watching a lot of videos on how to setup a guitar and plan to use more accurate measurements than in the past. I recently purchased a string action gauge off Amazon so I won't be using the nickel and dime technique anymore

I used StewMac's expensive Z-File fret crowning file. What fret-end file do you recommend? I've seen people use a block at 45 degrees across the whole fretboard and others use a small file to shape each individual fret.

The adhesive backed sand paper I use is from a brand called sunmight, its the cheapest adhesive back sandpaper I can get and it works great. I think it only comes in 3in wide tho. I cut it with a razor length wise for the smaller sanding blocks I use. What paper did you use before? 1 leveling block with 180 would normally last me at least 5 fret levels back when I was doing production work.

The z file is the way to go but if you dont want to spend the cash I'd get those crowning files that phili luthier sells. I personally don't like the diamond files, they do the work way faster but getting the scratches out of the frets takes longer vs. a normal metal toothed file. I have done that block at 45 trick but only on guitars that needed fret work that the customer couldn't afford. I wouldn't recommend doing that, you'll get weird intonation spots on the since the frets aren't fully formed back to the correct shape.

Do you adjust the nut slots when you set up your guitars? having the proper height at the nut makes a world of difference in the overall setup and it can help get rid of fret buzz sometimes.

I'd give you a skype lesson on how to set up a guitar if you want. Shoot me an email if you want to set that up. info@hyperionguitarworks.com

 

[SpiderWars]

I have a couple of guitars that have noticeable fret ends along the edge of the neck. I don't think my house is that dry, I don't think it gets much below 40% rh at high 60's F, and that's if it's cold and dry outside. I'll admit, these are both raw necks that were oiled (several times). Is just running a block with sandpaper going to fix that or do you have to smooth each one? I bought the fret end file from Stewmac and intend to round the ends and wanted to address this issue at the same time.

 

[jchrisf]

The adhesive backed sand paper I use is from a brand called sunmight, its the cheapest adhesive back sandpaper I can get and it works great. I think it only comes in 3in wide tho. I cut it with a razor length wise for the smaller sanding blocks I use. What paper did you use before? 1 leveling block with 180 would normally last me at least 5 fret levels back when I was doing production work.

The z file is the way to go but if you dont want to spend the cash I'd get those crowning files that phili luthier sells. I personally don't like the diamond files, they do the work way faster but getting the scratches out of the frets takes longer vs. a normal metal toothed file. I have done that block at 45 trick but only on guitars that needed fret work that the customer couldn't afford. I wouldn't recommend doing that, you'll get weird intonation spots on the since the frets aren't fully formed back to the correct shape.

Do you adjust the nut slots when you set up your guitars? having the proper height at the nut makes a world of difference in the overall setup and it can help get rid of fret buzz sometimes.

I'd give you a skype lesson on how to set up a guitar if you want. Shoot me an email if you want to set that up. info@hyperionguitarworks.com

I'm not sure what brand of sandpaper but I remember I found out later that it was made for RC/Model airplanes. So it's intended purpose was plastic. I look up the brand you use.

I've never done anything with a nut slot. I play Floyd Rose guitars so I didn't think there was anything to worry about. I'll have to research those measurements and see what I need to look for.

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

I'm not sure what brand of sandpaper but I remember I found out later that it was made for RC/Model airplanes. So it's intended purpose was plastic. I look up the brand you use.

I've never done anything with a nut slot. I play Floyd Rose guitars so I didn't think there was anything to worry about. I'll have to research those measurements and see what I need to look for.

Normally with floyd nuts you should be ok but sometime they shim them to high. i like about .013 of clearance at the first fret when holding the string down at the 3rd fret.

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

I have a couple of guitars that have noticeable fret ends along the edge of the neck. I don't think my house is that dry, I don't think it gets much below 40% rh at high 60's F, and that's if it's cold and dry outside. I'll admit, these are both raw necks that were oiled (several times). Is just running a block with sandpaper going to fix that or do you have to smooth each one? I bought the fret end file from Stewmac and intend to round the ends and wanted to address this issue at the same time.

Wood will always shrink, its less noticeable when a neck has a hard/poly finish. To Bring the fret ends flush with the edge of the board you should use a "mill bastard file" you can get them at homedepot for less than $10.00. Run It parallel to the fingerboard from the last fret to the first fret. Normally it only takes a few swipes.

 

[Will Onyx]

Are Alpha pots crap or am I just unlucky? I’ve had 2 go bad in a short period of time. Even when they worked, the sweep on the audio taper was all at the bottom range between 0-3. From 3-10 it all seemed the same.

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

Are Alpha pots crap or am I just unlucky? I’ve had 2 go bad in a short period of time. Even when they worked, the sweep on the audio taper was all at the bottom range between 0-3. From 3-10 it all seemed the same.

yeah alpha pots suck. I only use CTS unless im installing emg or fishman ill use what they come with. You may want to check out linear taper pots to get a smoother taper. most companies sell linear taper or audio taper pots.

check out this blog for more info on the different type of pots.

https://www.hoaglandcustom.com/2017/05/15/hello-world/

 

[stratjacket]

Wood will always shrink, its less noticeable when a neck has a hard/poly finish. To Bring the fret ends flush with the edge of the board you should use a "mill bastard file" you can get them at homedepot for less than $10.00. Run It parallel to the fingerboard from the last fret to the first fret. Normally it only takes a few swipes.

Sounds easy enough, but seems like it could damage the wood if not careful.
How do you keep it from scraping any wood, just be careful to only hit the fret?

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

Sounds easy enough, but seems like it could damage the wood if not careful.
How do you keep it from scraping any wood, just be careful to only hit the fret?

you can damage the finish or wood when doing it so you need to be careful. Ive never come across a file that was perfectly flat. When you get the file sight down the edge and look for the bend in the file. When you use it have the bend facing out so you don't rub the end of the file into the wood.

 

[mystixboi]

Welcome!!!

I have a hss super strat that has a really bright bridge pickup. I’m not sure if it’s wired wrong but the guitar sounds great for the most part. What can I do to tame the highs of the bridge pickup?

thanks.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Welcome!!!

I have a hss super strat that has a really bright bridge pickup. I’m not sure if it’s wired wrong but the guitar sounds great for the most part. What can I do to tame the highs of the bridge pickup?

thanks.

Have you considered swapping out the bridge pup for something darker??

 

[Hyperionguitarworks]

Welcome!!!

I have a hss super strat that has a really bright bridge pickup. I’m not sure if it’s wired wrong but the guitar sounds great for the most part. What can I do to tame the highs of the bridge pickup?

thanks.

There isn't a whole lot you can do to change the sound of a pickup but you can adjust the height or adjust the pole pieces to get a tonal difference. What kind of pick up is it?