Reddit Reddit reviews How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!

We found 23 Reddit comments about How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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23 Reddit comments about How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!:

u/TheAlmightyFur · 5 pointsr/Guitar

I came up learning before the internet was big (like pre high speed where video wasn't a super viable option, and content wasn't so much in regular people's hands) and spent a lot of time reading books, articles, and message boards.

Dan Erlewine became my biggest teacher in books and This book was my bible for a while.

I originally started getting into it after getting the third degree by a mom-and-pop shop when I brought a bass in for repair that I didn't buy there, but when my friends in school would see the things I was doing, they'd ask me to work on their stuff too.

Been a while since I've actually had to wrench on anything guitar wise, but I still keep up with some of the new stuff coming out and browse new catalogs when I get them in the mail.

Edit: I also had the first edition of this book and it seemed to be more related to guys who play and are just getting into working on their own stuff.

u/PublicEnemaNumberTwo · 5 pointsr/Guitar

There are a couple of great books by Dan Erlewine, "The Guitar Player Repair Guide" and "How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great".

u/kasakka1 · 3 pointsr/Guitar

You need to pinpoint where the buzzing happens. Anywhere on the neck could mean action is too low. On the first few frets could mean that the nut is too low and needs to be replaced. In the middle of the neck could mean that there is not enough relief to the neck so trussrod should be adjusted. Remember to adjust truss rod in only a 1/4 turn at a time. Leaving the wood to settle for some time is a good idea too.

An easy way to check for relief is to hold a string in the middle of the neck at the first and last fret and then tap the string around the middle of the neck (takes a bit of dexterity or use a capo on the first fret). There should be about a credit card's thickness between the string and the fret.

Sometimes the fretwork on a guitar is not very good, a fret might have lifted from its slot, worn unevenly etc so you end up with some buzzing no matter what. Then you should take it to a pro for fret leveling.

I highly recommend you pick up this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989

It has tons of info on setup and repair.

u/guitarnoir · 3 pointsr/Guitar

When I was first starting out, way back in the last century, there were few places to go to learn this type of thing. And those that had the knowledge were usually less then excited at the thought of sharing their knowledge with you, so that you could become their competition.

But times have changed, and we have this Internet thing, and everybody is sharing everything. Maybe it isn't the Info Age, as much as it is the Era of Sharing, and sharing means a lot of crappy stuff gets thrown in the mix.

So choose your trusted sources carefully, and see who their trusted sources are.

For a good primer in guitar electronics, I recommend reading this book. It's dated, but it's basic info is good, and it's free to read in your browser (takes some time to load):

https://www.scribd.com/doc/2154081/Craig-Anderton-Guitar-Electronics-for-Musicians

I'm anticipating another book on guitar electronics from a source who's previous work I like:

https://hazeguitars.com/completeguitarwiring

This is a good video to understand shock hazards associated with play the electric guitar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS_5K5YEYv8&feature=youtu.be

When it comes to other aspects of guitar adjustment, Dan Erlewine has been the go-to source for decades. His books on guitar repair and maintenance are the gold standard. This first book I've linked is more for the guitar repair professional, and might be a bit much. But the second book I've linked should be must-reading for anyone curious about adjusting their guitar to play it's best:

https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-3rd/dp/0879309210

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989

Although I haven't actually read any of the books by John Carruthers, I studied under him and on the basis of that experience I would recommend anything he's involved in:

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/books-sheet-music-media/alfred-teach-yourself-guitar-repair-and-maintenance-book?src=3soswxxa

There are a bunch of John Carruther's videos on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9C05D39374BFA9B1

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB7631EF18F62E16D

I like this book because it's illustrated so well:

https://www.amazon.com/Players-Guide-Guitar-Maintenance/dp/0879305495

Dan Erlewine is a consultant at the guitar tools and supplies seller Stewart-MacDonald. They are a good resource for not just tools and supplies, but they have educational videos, some of which you can get via email, and some of which can be seen on YouTube:

https://www.stewmac.com/

Many of the boutique pickup makers have blogs on their sites, where they talk about pickup design and characteristics.

Just learning good practices on installing strings on various types of guitars is an important starting place:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfK8lQZaq_8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW0d9bBzUao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvTFtHLOQvk

And if you can master the secrets of floating tremolo set-up, you can impress your friends and strike fear into the heart of your enemies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYcGmMJnX0M&feature=youtu.be&t=213

There are so many more good sources, but that should give you a start.

u/ewall09 · 3 pointsr/Guitar

Firstly, I never recommend going to GC for a setup...GC is the WalMart of guitars. Instead, I highly recommend going to your local guitar shop where there are people dedicated to setting up guitars, and do so on a daily basis.

Knobs are usually just 'push on, pull off' toppers, so it is very possible the plastic 'head' of the control knob simply wasnt tight, or the threading on the pot itself was stripped, therefore not gripping that knob as well. If you bought it at GC, it is possible it was a recurring problem since before you bought it.

Note that there is a difference between 'acoustic' buzz (unplugged) and 'electric' buzz (plugged in). It is okay for a little bit of fret buzz on an unplugged electric guitar...this doesn't necessarily mean that the action is poor. However, if that fret buzzing passes through to your amplifier, you need to adjust your action.

Alternatively, if you are getting very terrible buzz, you may need to adjust the bridge itself (where the 'thumbscrews' you mentioned are) and raise the action. It is not very difficult, but if you don't feel confident take it to a guitar tech.

Here is an article going through a setup (albeit slightly more advanced) of a Les Paul guitar.

Here is a basic YouTube video discussing various pieces and how they affect action on a Les Paul.

In this video, Joe Walsh does a pretty decent job explaining the basics of a setup on a Les Paul.

Also keep in mind that thicker strings on a guitar = more tension on the neck.

Don't be afraid of your guitar! You only learn from adjusting it yourself. It can be intimidating at first, but once you do it several times you will feel much more confident. Like I said, don't be shy about taking it to a trained technician at a local guitar store.

I hope this information was helpful.

EDIT
Also, for some quality reading material, check out Dan Erlewine's 'How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great'....very useful to have sitting around

u/tmwrnj · 3 pointsr/Guitar

You'll certainly need a truss rod tweak and might need to slightly adjust the intonation. It's not difficult to do yourself - check out Dan Erlewine's book for full instructions on how to do your own setups.

u/kiteandkey · 3 pointsr/gratefulguitar

Based on the description of your Strat, it sounds like it has the vintage 7.25" fretboard radius. String bending, especially in the higher registers, is know to be problematic on that fretboard radius for exactly the reasons you describe.

Essentially, you need to do a proper setup to try and lessen the problems you're describing. If you're unfamiliar, doing a setup on a Strat involves adjusting things like the truss rod for neck relief, the bridge/claws to determine how you want your tremolo setup, the action, the intonation, and the nut. In essence, everything that your strings touch that can affect how they function mechanically.

You can learn how to do this yourself even if you have no experience. Dan Erlewine has a great book to tackle just this sort of stuff called How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great and you can snag a used copy on Amazon for the price of a new set of strings, practically. StewMac, the company where he works and that sells supplies for guitar building, has also started releasing some very helpful YouTube videos on different aspects of the setup. You can also poke around r/Luthier for any tips you can find there (though there's a lot of shorthand that would be tough for a beginner to get into).

My advice to you would be to buy the book, read it over a weekend (it doesn't take long to get from cover to cover), buy a few tools to get the job done and learn how to setup your own guitars so you'll always be able to make sure they're in perfect playing condition and won't have to rely on your local Guitar Center.

Basic tools you'd need include either a pre-assemlbed kit if you want to go the expensive route or a few of the individual components from elsewhere:

  • My advice would be to get the StewMac String Action Gauge (it's worth it going for this specific brand name here since it's higher quality and has better makrings than the ones you'll find on Amazon),
  • Some small screwdrivers and wrenches that'll fit what you need (again, this set from StewMac is pricey but it's very good for its purposes, you can certianly find all the hex wrenches, etc elsewhere for less) if you don't have them,
  • Some radius gauges (here's the set I have)
  • A straightedge (not necessary, since you can use a string on the guitar and calipers or even an old guitar string to measure relief--but the straightedge does make things a lot easier)

    If you can install a stereo, hang a picture and put together a puzzle, you can set up your own guitar.
u/dagaboy · 3 pointsr/Guitar

Just get this book, a set of radius gauges, an 18' straight edge and an action gauge. You should be fine.

u/MojoMonster · 2 pointsr/Guitar

Yes to all of that.

You will want this Dan Erlewine book.

And this Dan Erlewine book.

You can make DIY fret files using a feeler gauges, like this.

A strobe tuner for best results.

A nice steel ruler.

Assorted screw drivers and mini-screw drivers.

Powdered graphite or "nut sauce" lubricant.

Clear nail polish and super glue.

Appropriately sized deep sockets and a "thumb wheel" socket driver.

Fret refinishing is the only place, IMO, that requires actual dedicated tools, but there are guys who DIY that as well.

I got the StewMac 3-in-1 fret file for crowning.

I still haven't decided if I will DIY or purchase something like the Nut Seating Files for when I make bone nuts for everything.

I use a set of diamond sharpening plates from HF to touch up flatten and a HF 19" Flooring Level (sorry no HF link, they don't seem to carry it any longer)and some strips of 220 sandpaper sticky glued to that straight edge to do fret leveling.

u/slickwombat · 2 pointsr/Guitar

Great points. For radius, I got a set of stewmac metal under-string ones as a gift; an even better idea for most would be picking up this great book, which actually has a set of plastic radius gauges included.

For tuners, also true. Biggest protip there is probably checking your hole measurements before you buy replacements, I'll never make that mistake. Again. :/

u/gtani · 2 pointsr/Guitar

buy used. read teh "Bass is Quality" thread, most of it applies to guitars: http://www.reddit.com/r/Bass/wiki/faq#wiki_how_can_i_tell_if_a_bass_is_quality.3F.

Better yet, read Erlewine's http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989/

Avoid

  • damaged trussrod

  • twisted or unevenly bowed neck

  • worn frets (flat tops are ok, deep divots are not

  • damaged/sloppy neck joint

    anything else shouldn't be horribly expensive to fix

    ----------------

    unfortunately a lot of cheap electrics need fret leveling ($150+ where i am) check that also

    http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Straightedges/Fret_Rocker.html
u/KleyPlays · 2 pointsr/Guitar

I learned a lot from Dan Erlewine's book on the topic.

For tools, you can go a long ways with screwdrivers and allen wrenches.

u/m37a · 2 pointsr/Guitar

Tuners probably aren't your issue with staying in tune. If anything a new nut or possibly bridge saddles could help if the strings are getting stuck when bending or using the trem bar. After that, for me would be pickups/electronics.

I don't know much about starcasters, but a newer squire affinity series would probably be a step-up and can be found used very cheap, at or around $100.

Also, nothing beats a good setup by a qualified tech or use some of your money to buy this book and tech yourself the basics.
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989

This will help you figure out exactly how to figure out what is going wrong with your instrument and how to fix it.

u/Anolin · 2 pointsr/Guitar

This is one of the best resources for this subject:

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989

u/EarhornJones · 1 pointr/Guitar

I always recommend dropping $25 on this book.

It's an easy read, and gives you a great understanding of intonation, string height, truss rod adjustments, etc. The more you know about your instrument, the better you can make it suit your needs.

u/sosomething · 1 pointr/Guitar

Buy this book, read it, and don't look back.

It's all in there and the author does a fantastic job of explaining everything. Basically the guitar setup bible. Excellent resource and very highly regarded.

I recommend getting this one and sticking to it (rather than, say, watching bunch of YouTube videos) because there is a ton of misinformation out there from well-meaning but misinformed people that will waste your time at best and jack up your guitar at worst.

u/zuldar · 1 pointr/Guitar

Thanks. I have some on his books on my Amazon wishlist. Do you happen to know how the book you suggested compare to this one of his?
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Electric-Guitar-Great/dp/0879309989/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

u/ateamm · 0 pointsr/Luthier

This is a great reference for setups How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great I just got kindle on my phone and bought it for $10. It has general factory setups and setup of some famous players.