Big prob - I'm very finicky !

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EnGl

EnGl

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Help me guys , maybe I'm a bit insane or maybe this thing is common in musicians ( especially - guitar players)

I held few top guitars - PRS Custom , few Gibsons ( Classic LP , Explorer) , ESP ( LTD Also)... And , In EVERY guitar I've found something that annoy me so strong ! EVERY ...
Not tone , setup , intonation problems.
I played PRS 24 Custom ( friend bought it) and the nut was to high ( but if it will be lower we will reach a huge amount of buzz on open strings) , sustain was too short for me , frets were too tall and wide and many other things ... And it will happens with almost every guitar I pick to play. It forced me to think that maybe I'm to finicky or something , maybe I expect too much ...

This is normal , or maybe I must re-think my point of view ?

It really annoys me because I can't concentrate to my playing and practice ...
 
Not trying to be a dick but I'm speaking from experience because I've been where you are.

The solution to your problem is more practice and less dicking around with your gear. Get a cheap pawn shop guitar. Not a total POS but something that can be intoned and will stay in tune and practice...a bunch. Occassionally, break out your good stuff and you'll appreciate it.
 
threadkiller":1j0gvmu6 said:
Not trying to be a dick but I'm speaking from experience because I've been where you are.

The solution to your problem is more practice and less dicking around with your gear. Get a cheap pawn shop guitar. Not a total POS but something that can be intoned and will stay in tune and practice...a bunch. Occassionally, break out your good stuff and you'll appreciate it.
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I have to agree. How can there be something wrong with every guitar? I say this in the most constructive way. I've found that when I'm not "happy" with my tone, it's usually my playing. Half the "tone chasing" that goes on would be remedied by practicing. When I look at the pros who have my favorite tones, they're usually using Boogies or some half-broken Marshall. That tells me that if a Lonestar is good enough for Andy Timmons it's good enough for me. Have you seen his number one guitar up close? I have. It's falling apart and the guy makes you cry when he plays.

Good players, and I mean really good players, can play anything and make it sound great. I could understand not being happy with a $400 Ibanez off the wall at Guitar Center but you should be able to close your eyes and spit at a bunch of PRS, EBMM, Suhr, whatever, and hit a good one.

Less Ebay and more Mel Bay as they say.
 
You mentioned you don't like tall and wide frets. Try a used Peavey Wolfgang, very small and low frets.
Also you may want to check out something Fender Road Worn. Vintage size smaller frets that have been finished heavily, very rounded and polished and neck edges that are rolled pretty heavy.
 
Jeez thank you all guys ;)

Probably I've found the remedium for my thoughts.

I picked my axe , turn a bit volume ( empty house , only me and my guitar) and I have been driven by my mind , imagination ( call it what you want) ... And you know what ? All my concerns were gone ! Just me and wall of sound ... With lack of bullshit about frets , nut etc ...

Thank you all guys , it really changed my point of view.
Fuck that , crank amp and play!
 
EnGl":18evw30i said:
Jeez thank you all guys ;)

Probably I've found the remedium for my thoughts.

I picked my axe , turn a bit volume ( empty house , only me and my guitar) and I have been driven by my mind , imagination ( call it what you want) ... And you know what ? All my concerns were gone ! Just me and wall of sound ... With lack of bullshit about frets , nut etc ...

Thank you all guys , it really changed my point of view.
Fuck that , crank amp and play!
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I think you're on the right track. ;)
 
Some good advice here for sure - play more, play louder, play softer, just play more. When gear is not played, it's typically looked at and fondled. When gear is looked at and fondled, it's purpose goes from that of an instrument to create music, to an instrument of the mind. Once in the realm of the mind, it takes on these weird, qualitative characteristics that require obsession and action to right or make better. But the problem is it's purpose is no longer primary - it's secondary.

In short play more. And may I also suggest getting out there and getting some action with a female specimen....or three. Always lightens the load, you know? Does good things for both brains in a man.

Good luck!
Mo
 
Most guitars are a sum of their parts, meaning if the guitar has decent tuners, a quality bridge, pickups etc then the rest is all in the setup. Setup is all about personal preference so to each his own. Some like high action, some low etc. On the other hand - I have picked up some $3000+ guitars that didn't feel right in my hands but a look over the saddle height and position as well as looking at the neck relief should be able to determine if a setup would make a difference. A well setup $400 guitar could "play" better that a $3000 that's not set up to whoever's personal taste.
 
UberschallEL34":2phw0quh said:
Most guitars are a sum of their parts, meaning if the guitar has decent tuners, a quality bridge, pickups etc then the rest is all in the setup. Setup is all about personal preference so to each his own. Some like high action, some low etc. On the other hand - I have picked up some $3000+ guitars that didn't feel right in my hands but a look over the saddle height and position as well as looking at the neck relief should be able to determine if a setup would make a difference. A well setup $400 guitar could "play" better that a $3000 that's not set up to whoever's personal taste.
Click to expand...
+1 :thumbsup: Couldn't agree more. If it's built with quality componets it's all in the set up.
 
tripstan":320isahz said:
UberschallEL34":320isahz said:
Most guitars are a sum of their parts, meaning if the guitar has decent tuners, a quality bridge, pickups etc then the rest is all in the setup. Setup is all about personal preference so to each his own. Some like high action, some low etc. On the other hand - I have picked up some $3000+ guitars that didn't feel right in my hands but a look over the saddle height and position as well as looking at the neck relief should be able to determine if a setup would make a difference. A well setup $400 guitar could "play" better that a $3000 that's not set up to whoever's personal taste.
Click to expand...
+1 :thumbsup: Couldn't agree more. If it's built with quality componets it's all in the set up.
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+1

Mu guitar has quality components, I set it up according to my personal taste and playing on this guitar is pure pleasure(now) ...
 
tripstan":ryueexoo said:
UberschallEL34":ryueexoo said:
Most guitars are a sum of their parts, meaning if the guitar has decent tuners, a quality bridge, pickups etc then the rest is all in the setup. Setup is all about personal preference so to each his own. Some like high action, some low etc. On the other hand - I have picked up some $3000+ guitars that didn't feel right in my hands but a look over the saddle height and position as well as looking at the neck relief should be able to determine if a setup would make a difference. A well setup $400 guitar could "play" better that a $3000 that's not set up to whoever's personal taste.
Click to expand...
+1 :thumbsup: Couldn't agree more. If it's built with quality componets it's all in the set up.
Click to expand...


+1 :thumbsup: I also agree!!!
 
EnGl":3jo5od6y said:
It really annoys me because I can't concentrate to my playing and practice ...
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Are you familiar with Frank Zappa?

Yes, you're too fickle. Quit freaking over every little thing and play your guitar.
 
I think it's great that you've identified the things in a guitar that are important to you. Because you are picky about how the guitar feels/plays/sustains etc I'd definitely suggest that you never buy a guitar without playing it in person first. I like Carvins just fine but that doesn't sound like the prescriptive answer to all of your problems...

Yep, get it setup to how you like it and then play the fucker .....
 
tripstan":632jadzu said:
If it's built with quality componets it's all in the set up.
Click to expand...

YUP!

Guitars all have different size necks, different frets, etc...... find one that fits your hand, then have it dressed and set up by a legendary luthier. If it fits you correctly, and the setup is right, you'll never have to do anything to it again except change the strings. Don't assume that every guitar is already set up when you take it off the wall at the store. They are not.
 
threadkiller":1p48ixoj said:
Not trying to be a dick but I'm speaking from experience because I've been where you are.

The solution to your problem is more practice and less dicking around with your gear. Get a cheap pawn shop guitar. Not a total POS but something that can be intoned and will stay in tune and practice...a bunch. Occassionally, break out your good stuff and you'll appreciate it.
Click to expand...

This guy speaks the truth.

I have a beater, but every once and a while ill bring out my custom special MII and it puts a smile on my face. Is my beater as good as it or others? No - but it is still something to play on and enjoy.
 
Me too. Now I have two custom shop guitars. They're as close to perfect as I care to get. There's always something to be finicky about, but in these guitars I can't find flaws.

I've been trying to slow way the hell down on buying and selling too. I don't believe the difference between old and new stuff has anything to do with quality in some cases. I'd bet that the Custom Shop Gibson and Fender guitars are built as good - if not better - than they were 50 years ago, and I'd bet that the "mojo" so many vintage instruments seem to posses is simply aging materials.

I do like to play around with different gear, but I'm now keeping a simple rig around that just is ALWAYS perfect. Specifically, a 2204 --> 25w Scumback M75s in a Bogner 4x12. Won't do everything, but it always leaves me happy.
 
I agree. It is a big problem if you do not know how to do your own setups. Fortunately I know everything to look for and I am usually happy with my setups. The only thing I do not mess with is frets. I do not trust most so called techs either with them. Frets need to be done correctly. One can only set up a guitar as good as its frets are leveled granting there are no other issues.
 
i must be completely opposite of you...i usually play my LTD now (because it sounds awesome!) but i also have 2 jacksons, a schecter, and an EBMM that i play on occasion. they are ALL different, and i have set them all up to where i like them. other than that, i dont think about the frets, or anything else. i just plug in and play them. as long as it sounds good, and i can play it, i dont care.

ive never been one to over analyze though. i plug in, i set my tone, and i play. simple as that.
 
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