Guitar Discussion Thread V7 - More strings the better - General

[QUOTE=Camp er Joe;28666274]Another strat :downs: Was hoping for something brutal, either way good luck I enjoy following your progress.[/QUOTE] No "brvtal" shapes, but it will have that sort of look with the hardware. Plus the figured black walnut is going to look totally wild once it's got finish on it, and the zebrawood fretboard looks all jagged and awesome. The walnut on it's own it's got some immense figuration, but once the lacquer seeps into the surface, it will make an almost holographic effect.

So, since nearly all Alice in Chains songs, plus a lot of Hendrix stuff, is in E Flat, I really have no desire to go back to standard tuning. The 'curse' of a chromatic tuner.

Surprised I missed this until the Sweetwater catalog started advertising 'em. [img_thumb]http://www.dv247.de/assets/products/79349_l.jpg[/img_thumb] Kinda like the pickup options.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;28675085]Surprised I missed this until the Sweetwater catalog started advertising 'em. [img_thumb]http://www.dv247.de/assets/products/79349_l.jpg[/img_thumb] Kinda like the pickup options.[/QUOTE] They're supposed to be great, but there seems to be barely any available.

Those are beautiful.

[QUOTE=Kab2tract;28674940]It'll probably be over $15 after taxes.[/QUOTE] :smith: I can't afford that I'm broke.... I'll give them A try when I have money. Also, my dad's picking up a Yamaha KM-802 8-track mixer for me for $20 (Not my money, as I have none) [img]http://www.geocities.ws/diffused_light/stuff/KM802-1.JPG[/img] I look forward to not having a damn clue how to use it! :v: [editline]18th March 2011[/editline] 80's tech hell yeah!

[QUOTE=Chaotic Lord;28680492]:smith: I can't afford that I'm broke.... I'll give them A try when I have money. Also, my dad's picking up a Yamaha KM-802 8-track mixer for me for $20 (Not my money, as I have none) [img_thumb]http://www.geocities.ws/diffused_light/stuff/KM802-1.JPG[/img_thumb] I look forward to not having a damn clue how to use it! :v: [editline]18th March 2011[/editline] 80's tech hell yeah![/QUOTE] You could always find a cheaper Ernie Ball coated/non-coated set for less. Or other brands, I just like Ernie Ball.

Alright, I need to go back to asking stupid questions: 1) Is there a way to make my fretboard slicker without fucking with the existing...varnish or whatever on there and without actually going in and de-fretting it and sanding it and recoating it and everything else? 2) Would there be any reason not using my locking nut (i.e. just unscrewing the little plates on it altogether) would matter aside from keeping things in tune when using the trem? 3) Is replacing tuning machines a job one can do without much in the way of special tools? 'cuz I just decided my Agile's neck doesn't feel slick enough (on a couple upper frets if I really press the pad of a finger down it almost feels sticky), and if there's no downside to doing so I'm going to just leave the nut unlocked, put some proper schallers on it, and quit fucking with the fine tuners forever. Decided I can tolerate the trem again with that extra locking/retuning step removed (and the existing tuning machines hold up well enough if I wind the strings good that I can use the trem without them in the mean time.) [QUOTE=Chaotic Lord;28680492]I look forward to not having a damn clue how to use it! :v:[/QUOTE] Well myself and a few others among us own or have worked with mixers before so you can probably get some competent help unless it turns out to be steam-powered.

Adjusting the bridge, truss rod and action might be a bit of an arse if you're not locking the strings anymore, since the tension will now move freely across the guitar instead of being locked at the nut Chaning machine heads isnt that tricky, just make sure you find ones that fit appropriately. What type of fingerboard is it? Maple or Rosewood? [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] Also you never want to 'sand down' a neck unless it's a new piece of wood from a custom build or something where it's necessary.

Ebony fretboard. And yeah the truss rod's probably not gonna be a problem the neck's a big chunky 30" scale fuck that barely moves and I've tweaked it before anyway.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;28675085]Surprised I missed this until the Sweetwater catalog started advertising 'em. [img_thumb]http://www.dv247.de/assets/products/79349_l.jpg[/img_thumb] Kinda like the pickup options.[/QUOTE] Epiphone goes Superstrat on a Les Paul?

[url]http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Nighthawk-Standard-2010-Electric-Guitar?sku=H68056[/url] Actually, it is just an epi version of Gibson's.

[QUOTE=Clovis;28683991]So should I get back into guitar? I need an affordable guitar thats not too cheap, but I want to get into it as soon as possible so I can set a goal of the money I gotta save up to[/QUOTE] If it makes you happy, then yeah.

[QUOTE=Kab2tract;28683934][url]http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Nighthawk-Standard-2010-Electric-Guitar?sku=H68056[/url] Actually, it is just an epi version of Gibson's.[/QUOTE] With cooler pup options, unless Gibson makes one with a slant (and aftermarket Duncan replacements designed with it in mind) and a mini humbucker. [QUOTE=Clovis;28683991]So should I get back into guitar?[/QUOTE] Only you can answer that. As far as what to get, it depends on what you're willing to spend, what you play, all that good stuff.

[QUOTE=Clovis;28684100]Read the second line?[/QUOTE] I don't really know what your preferences are, but what about an Ibanez like this? [url]http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-RG2EX1-Electric-Guitar?sku=519783[/url]

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;28683094]Alright, I need to go back to asking stupid questions: 1) Is there a way to make my fretboard slicker without fucking with the existing...varnish or whatever on there and without actually going in and de-fretting it and sanding it and recoating it and everything else? 2) Would there be any reason not using my locking nut (i.e. just unscrewing the little plates on it altogether) would matter aside from keeping things in tune when using the trem? 3) Is replacing tuning machines a job one can do without much in the way of special tools? 'cuz I just decided my Agile's neck doesn't feel slick enough (on a couple upper frets if I really press the pad of a finger down it almost feels sticky), and if there's no downside to doing so I'm going to just leave the nut unlocked, put some proper schallers on it, and quit fucking with the fine tuners forever. Decided I can tolerate the trem again with that extra locking/retuning step removed (and the existing tuning machines hold up well enough if I wind the strings good that I can use the trem without them in the mean time.) Well myself and a few others among us own or have worked with mixers before so you can probably get some competent help unless it turns out to be steam-powered.[/QUOTE] 1) If your fretboard is ebony then there shouldn't be any finish on it since ebony is a non porous wood as such doesn't require a finish to protect it. If the fretboard feels weird I would recommend Fret Doctor to un fuck up the fretboard. Past that, email Rondo about it. 2) The locking nut is only there for tuning stability when abusing a Floyd Rose. If you never really divebomb with it and only do some flutters with it then you don't "need" one. If you take the blocks off it'll function like a normal top nut. Chris Broderick from Megadeth's old Ibanez never had a locking nut. 3) Provided you get machines which match the spacing, the screw holes and the shaft width then it's just a wrench and screwdriver job. Takes about 10-15 minutes. [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=LasGunz;28683712]Adjusting the bridge, truss rod and action might be a bit of an arse if you're not locking the strings anymore, since the tension will now move freely across the guitar instead of being locked at the nut Also you never want to 'sand down' a neck unless it's a new piece of wood from a custom build or something where it's necessary.[/QUOTE] I don't really see what you're getting at, adjusting the truss rod and action would be exactly the same as adjusting it on a guitar with a non locking top nut. The only issue I see with an unlocked Floyd is string stretching. Why not? A guitar, for all it's glorifications once it's left the factory is still perfectly modifiable. I can't see any reason why you wouldn't want to reprofile the fretboard or steel wool the neck varnish once you own it provided you think it would play better afterwards and have the wherewithall to do it yourself or the money to have a competent tech do it

[QUOTE=Dopey Trout;28685890]1) If your fretboard is ebony then there shouldn't be any finish on it since ebony is a non porous wood as such doesn't require a finish to protect it. If the fretboard feels weird I would recommend Fret Doctor to un fuck up the fretboard. Past that, email Rondo about it. 2) The locking nut is only there for tuning stability when abusing a Floyd Rose. If you never really divebomb with it and only do some flutters with it then you don't "need" one. If you take the blocks off it'll function like a normal top nut. Chris Broderick from Megadeth's old Ibanez never had a locking nut. 3) Provided you get machines which match the spacing, the screw holes and the shaft width then it's just a wrench and screwdriver job. Takes about 10-15 minutes. [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] I don't really see what you're getting at, adjusting the truss rod and action would be exactly the same as adjusting it on a guitar with a non locking top nut. The only issue I see with an unlocked Floyd is string stretching. Why not? A guitar, for all it's glorifications once it's left the factory is still perfectly modifiable. I can't see any reason why you wouldn't want to reprofile the fretboard or steel wool the neck varnish once you own it provided you think it would play better afterwards and have the wherewithall to do it yourself or the money to have a competent tech do it[/QUOTE] Steel wool is fine to clear out grime and dirt but sanding it usually isn't that useful on Rosewood, as for Ebony I've never used an Ebony board before so I couldn't say. And I did mean the rod in relation to the Floyd being an arse to readjust without locking. He could just get a tremol-no and solve his problems and even still use the locking nut.

Well steel wool would be for removing dirt from deep grained woods or removing the finish from the back of a neck. But if a fretboard is in poor condition then defretting and sanding up to a high grade will solve whatever issues you had provided you're capable. I'm still not following, you're combining a relevant and irrelevant point Tremolno solves a different issue since you're blocking the trem rather than replacing the need to use the fine tuners with accurate locking tuners.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;28683094]Well myself and a few others among us own or have worked with mixers before so you can probably get some competent help unless it turns out to be steam-powered.[/QUOTE] I'm sure I'll figure it out. Why does the idea of a steam-powered mixer sound uselessly awesome? [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Kab2tract;28681185]You could always find a cheaper Ernie Ball coated/non-coated set for less. Or other brands, I just like Ernie Ball.[/QUOTE] Ernie Ball has been my brand of strings as they're $7perpack and I can afford that :v: My favorites are the Super Slinky and Not Even Slinky. [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Kab2tract;28683934][url]http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Nighthawk-Standard-2010-Electric-Guitar?sku=H68056[/url] Actually, it is just an epi version of Gibson's.[/QUOTE] This reminds me of a Les Paul copy that I saw. [img]http://spiderwrite.com/guitars/ibanez_art300-2.jpg[/img] That's textured and it looks and feels awesome, running your fingers over it. I didn't play it as I saw it on my way out when buying my Wah, but I thought it was cool looking. [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] I [b][i]really[/i][/b] hate that type of knobs though.

[QUOTE=Chaotic Lord;28687113] [img_thumb]http://spiderwrite.com/guitars/ibanez_art300-2.jpg[/img_thumb] That's textured and it looks and feels awesome, running your fingers over it. I didn't play it as I saw it on my way out when buying my Wah, but I thought it was cool looking. [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] I [b][i]really[/i][/b] hate that type of knobs though.[/QUOTE] a friend of mine has it (also guitarist of my band), the ibanez ART 300. though i replaced the active pickups for some seymour duncan humbuckers, and used the active pickups to replace my strats single coils. really cool guitar, looks great, sounds great. not too expensive either if i remember correctly.

Can I connect this MIDI guitar to pc with this cable and use PC as amp? [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-to-midi-cable-with-16-midi-input-output-channels-1-8-meter-11277[/url] [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] [img]http://i55.tinypic.com/2dmibt2.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=Clovis;28684566]I'm guessing this is much better than the RG170DX? I have owned a JS1 in the past and am considering getting another one. It was my former B tuning guitar.[/QUOTE] I had a JS1R, they're very nice. I don't how much better that Ibanez would be though.

[QUOTE=Wnd;28688127]Can I connect this MIDI guitar to pc with this cable and use PC as amp?[/QUOTE] You can hook it up to your computer and use a synth to play music. It wouldn't at all be an amp because the guitar is only acting as a midi controller. It is only sending midi data, it isn't sending any sound and nothing is being amplified.

[QUOTE=Wnd;28688127]Can I connect this MIDI guitar to pc with this cable and use PC as amp? [url]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-to-midi-cable-with-16-midi-input-output-channels-1-8-meter-11277[/url] [editline]19th March 2011[/editline] [img_thumb]http://i55.tinypic.com/2dmibt2.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE] a while ago you said you'd unscrew the pickguard so we could have a look. i really doubt you could because it looks old, it's probably a seperate pin for each pickup and a ground. the cable would fit but wouldn't do anything

[QUOTE=BassB;28688079]a friend of mine has it (also guitarist of my band), the ibanez ART 300. though i replaced the active pickups for some seymour duncan humbuckers, and used the active pickups to replace my strats single coils. really cool guitar, looks great, sounds great. not too expensive either if i remember correctly.[/QUOTE] I know it's the ART 300, I looked it up to get the picture :downs: ~$280 (Guitar Center). What sort of music does your band play? Would you recommend buying it?

[QUOTE=Dopey Trout;28685890]1) If your fretboard is ebony then there shouldn't be any finish on it since ebony is a non porous wood as such doesn't require a finish to protect it. If the fretboard feels weird I would recommend Fret Doctor to un fuck up the fretboard. Past that, email Rondo about it.[/QUOTE] Okay. I thought that initially but I also thought people sometimes put shellac and that sort of shit on other ebony things before so I just assumed there might be something on fretboards too. Is the only place to buy Fret Doctor that beafifer site? [QUOTE=Dopey Trout;28685890]The only issue I see with an unlocked Floyd is string stretching.[/QUOTE] Well and I'm still having stretching problems with the nut locked anyway, and it stays in tune pretty solidly right now after everything stretches even if I do some divebombs and shit, so I figure if I get some machines I can rely on a bit better I can say fuck off to the nut and fine tuners altogether.

Midi amp modellers perhaps? Why can you get sound from a midi keyboard using Midi keyboard software but not from Midi guitar software? I think he's saying amp but basically meaning the PC outputs the "sound" from the guitar with "amp" settings he choses.

he posted the guitar before, it looks much much much too old to be a midi modeling guitar. besides as someone noted before the 5-pin DIN is a really common connector.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;28694347]Okay. I thought that initially but I also thought people sometimes put shellac and that sort of shit on other ebony things before so I just assumed there might be something on fretboards too. Is the only place to buy Fret Doctor that beafifer site?[/QUOTE] Things like shellacing are time consuming and as such, expensive. They're not unheard of but I've never heard of it on a non custom guitar. I'd assume the fretboard just needs some nutrition, and from what i've read Fret Doctor is the best. Guitar Center stock it occasionally I believe, but the site is probably the best bet, I know the guy who runs the site is normally on hand to talk to too

Well yeah but I've got shellac on hand and vaguely know how to use it. :v: But yeah I'll just buy some oil first and see how it feels. [QUOTE=BassB;28694397]he posted the guitar before, it looks much much much too old to be a midi modeling guitar. besides as someone noted before the 5-pin DIN is a really common connector.[/QUOTE] Yeah and it's been used for a lot of crazy stuff before by DIY'ers from back in the day, or sometimes just silly shit that doesn't actually merit the connector just because it was common. Really no way to know without seeing more.