no idea what to call this problem

[Tom O'Dea]

OK, maybe I am just a retard and the problem is something stupid like i need new strings, but I think there is something really f'd up about my guitar. Alright, this problem happens on most of the strings, but most noticeably on the high E. Anyway, I put the thing in tune, and playing open chords sound fine and everything, but when i go through barre chords or note playing further down the fretboard, the notes sound flat, right around the A note. I checked them with my tuner, and they are pretty out of wack. Like once you hit the 10th fret, the D note on the E string is actually lower is coming up pretty close to a C. I noticed it playing the intro to "american girl" by tom petty. The other strings sort of have it too, but it isn't that big a drop. I can't really notice it in them while playing, other than maybe the B if i go pretty far down. Anyway, I never really had this problem before, and my guitar has always sounded fine to me, but now it is driving me insane, and i have no idea what to do. Any ideas?

If for some reason it could just be the guitar, it is a Standard Fat Strat. I thought maybe the tremlo bar had something to do with it, cause it throws everything out of tune every now and then, but I took it off for a few days and it is still messed up. I know I am pathetic, but I am stupid.

[skyneverclaimed]

Hmm... you might want to take it to a guitar shop and get it set-up again, that happened to my friend before, they jsut had to readjust his truss rod and it was fine

[M.O.E.]

yeah more than likely it is the truss rod. But are you sure the floyd rose saddles are adjusted properly.

[Tom O'Dea]

I don't have a floyd rose. I'll take it to the music store around here to get it checked out I guess. Thanks for the help.

[corvette]

Originally posted by Tom O'Dea
OK, maybe I am just a retard and the problem is something stupid like i need new strings, but I think there is something really f'd up about my guitar. Alright, this problem happens on most of the strings, but most noticeably on the high E. Anyway, I put the thing in tune, and playing open chords sound fine and everything, but when i go through barre chords or note playing further down the fretboard, the notes sound flat, right around the A note. I checked them with my tuner, and they are pretty out of wack. Like once you hit the 10th fret, the D note on the E string is actually lower is coming up pretty close to a C. I noticed it playing the intro to "american girl" by tom petty. The other strings sort of have it too, but it isn't that big a drop. I can't really notice it in them while playing, other than maybe the B if i go pretty far down. Anyway, I never really had this problem before, and my guitar has always sounded fine to me, but now it is driving me insane, and i have no idea what to do. Any ideas?

If for some reason it could just be the guitar, it is a Standard Fat Strat. I thought maybe the tremlo bar had something to do with it, cause it throws everything out of tune every now and then, but I took it off for a few days and it is still messed up. I know I am pathetic, but I am stupid.

Tom,
You're not stupid at all......you picked up on it, didn't You?
It sounds like your guitar needs the intonation set.......you can do it yourself, or take it to someone to set it up for you. If you're not using the whammy, have the bridge blocked so it doesn't move, and this will help stabilize the bridge action as well. You need new strings to do the intonation as well, so start fresh and reset everything.......it will work out in the end.
corvette

[UGB]

Yes, the first place I'd look/check is the intonation, if that doesn't solve it, check the nut.

[Tom O'Dea]

Alright, I am really sorry for asking even more questions, but how do I block the bridge? And how do I set the innotation and/or the nut? Yes, I really don't know anything. And please try to explain in lamen's terms. Cause I have visited sites where they tell you how to set things, and it looks like jibberish to me. I really need to find someone to sit and talk to who can explain everything to me.

[UGB]

blocking the trem is making/fashioning a block, typically out of wood, that exactly fills the space between the part of your trem that sticks down and the nut side of the trem cavity. This means you can not 'pull up' on your trem anymore, and the trem is no longer 'floating'. It now rests against this solid block. This means changing strings is much easier; you don't have to worry about the bridge being out of level float adjustment because it doesn't float.

If you don't have a GOOD tuner w/a needle, not an lcd screen, take your guitar to the shop to have it intonated. What you're doing when you intonate a guitar is adjusting the the string saddle in the bridge towards the nut or away from the nut to make sure the string is in perfect tune at the 12th fret. So, if you tune the string open, then fret it at the 12th and it's sharp, you need to adjust the saddle towards the nut. If it's flat you need to adjust away from the nut.

Look, I know how to do this stuff, but I don't have a good enough tuner nor do I have the little allen wrenches needed for my bridge, so for $25 I'm taking it to the shop and have it done. Once you get a guitar set up, it's good for life pretty much, unless you change string guages.

[corvette]

Originally posted by Tom O'Dea
Alright, I am really sorry for asking even more questions, but how do I block the bridge? And how do I set the innotation and/or the nut? Yes, I really don't know anything. And please try to explain in lamen's terms. Cause I have visited sites where they tell you how to set things, and it looks like jibberish to me. I really need to find someone to sit and talk to who can explain everything to me.

If the bridge is not floating, that is, if it can sit flat against the body, you can tighten the two screws that hold the springs on the bridge block.......if you have 3 springs, you can add a 4th to help keep it flat.

Intonation.....basically, it's an adjustment to make up for the fact that you have to push the string to the fret.....this changes the length of the string slightly enough to make it a bit out of tune. Action height,(the string height from the frets) and string guage make a difference as well.
Like UGB said, generally you make the adjustments for the 12th fret.......the open string and 12th fretted note should be as close so the needle on the tuner returns to the same place. If it's out, you adjust by moving the saddle in the direction the needle is moving, till it returns to the same spot. You have to do this with the guitar in the playing position as well, cause gravity plays a small part. It takes a bit of time, but well worth learning.

Also.....don't be afraid to ask questions..........that's how you learn....makes us geezers feel useful :) I've been in the business a long time, and I prefer to help people who are willing to learn, rather than having to deal with people who have an attitude and are unwilling to learn.
corvette

[UGB]

Again, I know how an engine works, but I'm still gonna take my car to the garage to get it fixed. I think it's important for you to understand what's happening w/your guitar so you're a more informed customer.

I dropped off my Bolt-T Saturday at the shop to get it set up. Andy does the best set ups I've ever had and for $25. I took the guitar completely apart to refinish it and put it back together. Even Andy said there wasn't much he could to it, but I know he can tweak it better than me, and in the long run, all I want is my guitar to play the best that it can.:D

[UGB]

Oh, and when he's done with the Bolt-T, I'll take my DC150 in.:)

[corvette]

Originally posted by UGB
Again, I know how an engine works, but I'm still gonna take my car to the garage to get it fixed. I think it's important for you to understand what's happening w/your guitar so you're a more informed customer.

I dropped off my Bolt-T Saturday at the shop to get it set up. Andy does the best set ups I've ever had and for $25. I took the guitar completely apart to refinish it and put it back together. Even Andy said there wasn't much he could to it, but I know he can tweak it better than me, and in the long run, all I want is my guitar to play the best that it can.:D

True Story:
Some guy brings in a BC Rich guitar that needed a fret dress.....I priced the job for him and he went away........came back in a few weeks later and wants the work done, but he adds, "It should be cheaper cause I started it for you, so there's less work".
......He had pried out all the frets with a jackknife! When I told him what it would now cost for me to do the work, he left, saying his dad could do it. I later found out his dad wouldn't go near it, and his friend hammered some frets in for him....I never did see the guitar again.....

I have a DC 135 that's like a Swiss Watch........
corvette

[UGB]

"I have a DC 135 that's like a Swiss Watch........"

Why more people don't play Carvins is beyond me.

[Tom O'Dea]

OK, well I tried attempted to understand what you guys were saying, and got a good idea of what you meant. The other night I was at Guitar Center and asked if the guy could show me real quick what it all meant in person. He said the same things you guys did, told me what to do, and showed me a book on it to, just so i could see pictures and stuff. I got home, switched the strings, twisted a few screws and all, and now it is perfect. I just wanna thank you guys for everything. Next week I will work on blocking off the bridge, I'll let you know how that goes. Take it easy, and thanks again.

[corvette]

Originally posted by Tom O'Dea
OK, well I tried attempted to understand what you guys were saying, and got a good idea of what you meant. The other night I was at Guitar Center and asked if the guy could show me real quick what it all meant in person. He said the same things you guys did, told me what to do, and showed me a book on it to, just so i could see pictures and stuff. I got home, switched the strings, twisted a few screws and all, and now it is perfect. I just wanna thank you guys for everything. Next week I will work on blocking off the bridge, I'll let you know how that goes. Take it easy, and thanks again.

Good show Tom! See, now you'll know what we're all babbling about!
corvette

[UGB]

in the combined 10,000+ posts I must have on all the boards I hang out on, this might be the third time someone's said,'I did what you said, thanks!'. I've popped an Amstel Light in your honor.:D

Now, if I could just convince SOMEONE that the Carvin Bolt is the most awesome solidbody value out there at <$400 on ebay......:rolleyes:

[corvette]

Originally posted by UGB
in the combined 10,000+ posts I must have on all the boards I hang out on, this might be the third time someone's said,'I did what you said, thanks!'. I've popped an Amstel Light in your honor.:D

Now, if I could just convince SOMEONE that the Carvin Bolt is the most awesome solidbody value out there at <$400 on ebay......:rolleyes:

I'm convinced......now if you send yours to me, I'll really be convinced! :)

Actually, I may get one if I can kick this pedal habit.....
corvette

[UGB]

I got mine as a used, assembled, kit on ebay for $305. I've refinished it, here's a before and after pic:

before:

http://www.knology.net/~ultimategarageband/images/boltb3.JPG

and this is after:

http://www.knology.net/~ultimategarageband/images/art4.jpg

Hands down the sweetest playing guitar I've ever played or owned and I've been playing over 25 years and I've played or owned plenty. My other Carvin guitar was a custom order for 3 times the price and it certainly doesn't play 3 times better.

[corvette]

Very spiffy! The Mother of Luncheonette Counter pickguard really adds to it....those things are pricey! Damn near $100 a sheet for that stuff....
My Carvin is a great playing gutar, but it's tweaked out for hair band music, and the tone is not my optimum enjoyment. I replaced the pickups, but it took me a long time to find a set that would warm up the Poplar/ Maple. A Bolt would definitely sound better and be more my speed......I'll get one sooner or later.
corvette

[sk8punck7976]

the guy from a7x plays carvins