patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Jan 22, 2019 12:45:06 GMT -5
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Jan 22, 2019 12:58:10 GMT -5
I'm considering upgrading some cool Squier guitars I recently purchased--a J Mascis Jazzmaster and a Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster. I'm looking at getting locking tuners, roller string trees, and aftermarket vibrato arm assemblies on both of them, as well as getting a roller bridge for the Jazzmaster. The idea is to improve the tuning stability so I can use the vibrato for extreme Kevin Shields-type bends and warbles. A lot of sources online recommend also replacing the nut to improve tuning stability--has anyone had any experience with this? From what I've read, Squier nuts are practically Superglued in, so removing it is a pain even for people who know what they're doing. I'm also not sure which replacement nut to go with--there's a highly-regarded local guy who custom-cuts bone nuts for $90 a pop, which seems expensive, but might not actually be since that includes him removing the old plastic nut. Anybody have any comments on bone nuts vs. something like Tusq or Corian?
|
|
Dellarigg
AV Clubber
This is a public service announcement - with guitars
Posts: 7,514
|
Post by Dellarigg on Jan 22, 2019 15:58:05 GMT -5
To get that Big Country guitar sound - let's face it, one of the greatest guitar sounds of all time - I'd need a pitchshifter/harmoniser pedal and an ebow. And they don't come cheap.
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Jan 22, 2019 16:05:23 GMT -5
To get that Big Country guitar sound - let's face it, one of the greatest guitar sounds of all time - I'd need a pitchshifter/harmoniser pedal and an ebow. And they don't come cheap. They certainly don't, especially not the pitch shifter pedals. Even a used EHX Pitch Fork is still like $120 American, which seems insane to me.
|
|
|
Post by Some Kind of Munster on Jan 22, 2019 17:27:03 GMT -5
I'm considering upgrading some cool Squier guitars I recently purchased--a J Mascis Jazzmaster and a Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster. I'm looking at getting locking tuners, roller string trees, and aftermarket vibrato arm assemblies on both of them, as well as getting a roller bridge for the Jazzmaster. The idea is to improve the tuning stability so I can use the vibrato for extreme Kevin Shields-type bends and warbles. A lot of sources online recommend also replacing the nut to improve tuning stability--has anyone had any experience with this? From what I've read, Squier nuts are practically Superglued in, so removing it is a pain even for people who know what they're doing. I'm also not sure which replacement nut to go with--there's a highly-regarded local guy who custom-cuts bone nuts for $90 a pop, which seems expensive, but might not actually be since that includes him removing the old plastic nut. Anybody have any comments on bone nuts vs. something like Tusq or Corian? I was able to pop the broken nut out of my Strat Squier with a screwdriver and a few (gentle) taps of a hammer. Didn't seem to be glued at all.
Still haven't gotten around to replacing it though, so I can't really offer any other insight on that. I was planning on getting the $10 Tusq one but the shop didn't have any in stock the one time I went in there to check
|
|
|
Post by Lt. Broccoli on Jan 22, 2019 20:54:15 GMT -5
I have in my possession two (2) cheap plastic ocarinas.
|
|
|
Post by Nudeviking on Jan 23, 2019 0:25:07 GMT -5
To get that Big Country guitar sound - let's face it, one of the greatest guitar sounds of all time - I'd need a pitchshifter/harmoniser pedal and an ebow. And they don't come cheap. They certainly don't, especially not the pitch shifter pedals. Even a used EHX Pitch Fork is still like $120 American, which seems insane to me. I got a DigiTech Whammy Pedal some years ago which has pitch shifting capabilities among a number of other effects (wah, harmoics, etc). It was pretty affordable at the time though I know not what the prices would be in today's money, and if you're one of those ANALOG EFFECTS ONLY people it certainly would not be a thing you'd be into.
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Jan 23, 2019 14:02:46 GMT -5
I'm still kicking myself for not grabbing the Stella H912 I saw last month. I didn't exactly have $174 lying around at the time, but still, that's the Lead Belly and Kurt Cobain guitar of my teenage dreams, and I kinda hate that my adult responsibility stopped me from acquiring it!
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Jan 23, 2019 16:23:36 GMT -5
Today in fuck-ugly guitars from Fender: the Jimmy Page TelecasterSo now I guess Jimmy Page can add "proud owner of world's ugliest signature model guitar" to his resume, right next to "sexually deviant child kidnapper" and "bastard plagiarist."
|
|
monodrone
Prolific Poster
Come To Brazil
Posts: 2,552
|
Post by monodrone on Jan 23, 2019 17:37:47 GMT -5
They certainly don't, especially not the pitch shifter pedals. Even a used EHX Pitch Fork is still like $120 American, which seems insane to me. I got a DigiTech Whammy Pedal some years ago which has pitch shifting capabilities among a number of other effects (wah, harmoics, etc). It was pretty affordable at the time though I know not what the prices would be in today's money, and if you're one of those ANALOG EFFECTS ONLY people it certainly would not be a thing you'd be into. I've always (ok, since I got into Pantera in ~ 2005) wanted a DigiTech Whammy but I plug my guitar into an amp about 2 times a year these days so it probably wouldn't be a good use of funds.
|
|
|
Post by Nudeviking on Jan 23, 2019 20:25:44 GMT -5
I got a DigiTech Whammy Pedal some years ago which has pitch shifting capabilities among a number of other effects (wah, harmoics, etc). It was pretty affordable at the time though I know not what the prices would be in today's money, and if you're one of those ANALOG EFFECTS ONLY people it certainly would not be a thing you'd be into. I've always (ok, since I got into Pantera in ~ 2005) wanted a DigiTech Whammy but I plug my guitar into an amp about 2 times a year these days so it probably wouldn't be a good use of funds. Pantera and Rage Against the Machine are the reasons I bought that thing in the first place. Like you I rarely plug a guitar into an amp these days (one of the pitfalls of living in an apartment building) but I don't know if I'd every bring myself to get rid of it...or any of the other random guitar pedals I have in a duffel bag in my office. I guess there's some small part of me that hopes my daughter gets really into metal or something when she turns 14 and wants to start a band so I can give them to her.
|
|
monodrone
Prolific Poster
Come To Brazil
Posts: 2,552
|
Post by monodrone on Jan 24, 2019 5:33:21 GMT -5
I've always (ok, since I got into Pantera in ~ 2005) wanted a DigiTech Whammy but I plug my guitar into an amp about 2 times a year these days so it probably wouldn't be a good use of funds. Pantera and Rage Against the Machine are the reasons I bought that thing in the first place. Like you I rarely plug a guitar into an amp these days (one of the pitfalls of living in an apartment building) but I don't know if I'd every bring myself to get rid of it...or any of the other random guitar pedals I have in a duffel bag in my office. I guess there's some small part of me that hopes my daughter gets really into metal or something when she turns 14 and wants to start a band so I can give them to her. Oh yeah, if I'd had the smarts to get one while I had the chance I'd be holding onto it too. I've been making do with this for the last 15 years instead which does a fine enough job for a guitar-as-second-instrument person like me:
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Jan 24, 2019 10:40:39 GMT -5
I've been pretty hard on Fender's NAMM 2019 offering so far, but there's also a lot of stuff that I'm excited about.
--Expansion of Squier's top tier, Chinese-made line, the Classic Vibe series to include a Jaguar, a Jazzmaster, and a Bass VI. Squier Classic Vibes are hands-down the best value for money in the guitar world IMHO --It looks like they're keeping the Meteora around for a while longer! --Some funky cool new offsets, including the Sixty-Six which is a guitar with a Jazz Bass body --THEY'RE BRINGING BACK THE ELECTRIC XII OMG
|
|
|
Post by Some Kind of Munster on Jan 24, 2019 11:00:11 GMT -5
I've always (ok, since I got into Pantera in ~ 2005) wanted a DigiTech Whammy but I plug my guitar into an amp about 2 times a year these days so it probably wouldn't be a good use of funds. Pantera and Rage Against the Machine are the reasons I bought that thing in the first place. Like you I rarely plug a guitar into an amp these days (one of the pitfalls of living in an apartment building) but I don't know if I'd every bring myself to get rid of it...or any of the other random guitar pedals I have in a duffel bag in my office. I guess there's some small part of me that hopes my daughter gets really into metal or something when she turns 14 and wants to start a band so I can give them to her. That's actually how I've gotten back into playing guitar recently – my 8-year-old just started guitar lessons (through her school) so it's finally given me a reason to dust off the old gear and start noodling around again, if only to keep her a little more interested in practicing her boring-ass chords by having someone else to play with.
I think my amp and pedals are currently buried beneath a giant heap of junk in our shed, so if I ever get around to fixing my strat I'm going to have to do some major excavations out there too
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2019 13:31:19 GMT -5
I have in my possession two (2) cheap plastic ocarinas. My dumb little instrument collection, none of which I can play: Melodica Pan flute Toy accordion (named, really, the Child Prodigy Midget Accordion) Jaw harp
|
|
Crash Test Dumbass
AV Clubber
ffc what now
Posts: 7,058
Gender (additional): mostly snacks
|
Post by Crash Test Dumbass on Jan 24, 2019 13:53:20 GMT -5
I'm considering upgrading some cool Squier guitars I recently purchased--a J Mascis Jazzmaster and a Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster. I'm looking at getting locking tuners, roller string trees, and aftermarket vibrato arm assemblies on both of them, as well as getting a roller bridge for the Jazzmaster. The idea is to improve the tuning stability so I can use the vibrato for extreme Kevin Shields-type bends and warbles. A lot of sources online recommend also replacing the nut to improve tuning stability--has anyone had any experience with this? From what I've read, Squier nuts are practically Superglued in, so removing it is a pain even for people who know what they're doing. I'm also not sure which replacement nut to go with--there's a highly-regarded local guy who custom-cuts bone nuts for $90 a pop, which seems expensive, but might not actually be since that includes him removing the old plastic nut. Anybody have any comments on bone nuts vs. something like Tusq or Corian? I think I changed a nut once, stringing a lefty guitar right-handed, but it was a cheapo guitar to start with. Locking tuners are a pain in the ass to begin with, as are locking nuts but maybe look into the latter? I had a Tele with a locking nuts, and I don't remember if it was that guitar or a different one that had the kind of trem where you had to cut off the ends of the strings and kind of pinch them into the bridge? My Gretsch has a Bigsby, and it is also terrible for replacing strings. The only vibrato device I've ever come close to liking to restring is the Fender through-body kind, and I'm too short for most Fenders.
|
|
|
Post by Some Kind of Munster on Feb 5, 2019 12:50:12 GMT -5
I'm considering upgrading some cool Squier guitars I recently purchased--a J Mascis Jazzmaster and a Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster. I'm looking at getting locking tuners, roller string trees, and aftermarket vibrato arm assemblies on both of them, as well as getting a roller bridge for the Jazzmaster. The idea is to improve the tuning stability so I can use the vibrato for extreme Kevin Shields-type bends and warbles. A lot of sources online recommend also replacing the nut to improve tuning stability--has anyone had any experience with this? From what I've read, Squier nuts are practically Superglued in, so removing it is a pain even for people who know what they're doing. I'm also not sure which replacement nut to go with--there's a highly-regarded local guy who custom-cuts bone nuts for $90 a pop, which seems expensive, but might not actually be since that includes him removing the old plastic nut. Anybody have any comments on bone nuts vs. something like Tusq or Corian? I was able to pop the broken nut out of my Strat Squier with a screwdriver and a few (gentle) taps of a hammer. Didn't seem to be glued at all.
Still haven't gotten around to replacing it though, so I can't really offer any other insight on that. I was planning on getting the $10 Tusq one but the shop didn't have any in stock the one time I went in there to check
Update: I found the Tusq nut I was looking for and installed it on my Squier. Only took about 10-15 minutes of sanding/shaping to get it to fit and so far it's a HUGE improvement over the cheap plastic nut that originally came with the guitar. There's a much more resonant sound just playing it unplugged now and it seems to be staying in tune much better than it ever has before – I used to have to re-tune it every time I picked it up but three days in it's still holding steady.
So I still can't offer any insight regarding Tusq vs bone, but I can definitely say that (at least in the case of my guitar) replacing the plastic factory nut was worth the minimal effort required
|
|
Crash Test Dumbass
AV Clubber
ffc what now
Posts: 7,058
Gender (additional): mostly snacks
|
Post by Crash Test Dumbass on Feb 5, 2019 13:02:09 GMT -5
Several years ago, some friends and I were wandering around the music store part of Manhattan and came across this hideous monsterpiece of a guitar:
The thing about it, tho, is that it sounded ridiculously beautiful, so my friend ended up buying it and we busked on the street with it for a couple hours. It certainly drew attention. I don't know if he still owns it. He doesn't play guitar (I was the one playing it), and hopefully he sold it for a profit?
So I still can't offer any insight regarding Tusq vs bone, but I can definitely say that (at least in the case of my guitar) replacing the plastic factory nut was worth the minimal effort required TUSQ!
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Feb 6, 2019 14:45:34 GMT -5
I was able to pop the broken nut out of my Strat Squier with a screwdriver and a few (gentle) taps of a hammer. Didn't seem to be glued at all.
Still haven't gotten around to replacing it though, so I can't really offer any other insight on that. I was planning on getting the $10 Tusq one but the shop didn't have any in stock the one time I went in there to check
Update: I found the Tusq nut I was looking for and installed it on my Squier. Only took about 10-15 minutes of sanding/shaping to get it to fit and so far it's a HUGE improvement over the cheap plastic nut that originally came with the guitar. There's a much more resonant sound just playing it unplugged now and it seems to be staying in tune much better than it ever has before – I used to have to re-tune it every time I picked it up but three days in it's still holding steady.
So I still can't offer any insight regarding Tusq vs bone, but I can definitely say that (at least in the case of my guitar) replacing the plastic factory nut was worth the minimal effort required
Thanks for the update! I'm definitely leaning towards Tusq over bone now.
|
|
|
Post by Some Kind of Munster on Feb 14, 2019 12:32:07 GMT -5
As promised in the Shoutbox, here's a pic of all the dumb stickers on my shitty Strat:
They've now been stripped off, which has the unfortunate side effect of making the gross yellowing on the pickups and knobs even more noticeable, so the next step is a new pickguard.
|
|
Dellarigg
AV Clubber
This is a public service announcement - with guitars
Posts: 7,514
|
Post by Dellarigg on Feb 14, 2019 15:16:31 GMT -5
Here's my Valentine's present from songstarliner - not the guitar (a Squier Telecaster), but the strap, a replica of the one worn by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock.
|
|
Crash Test Dumbass
AV Clubber
ffc what now
Posts: 7,058
Gender (additional): mostly snacks
|
Post by Crash Test Dumbass on Feb 14, 2019 16:53:45 GMT -5
Are we showing off instruments? This here's my baby, which I picked up this morning for the first time since my hand started hurting a few months ago:
The back has a painting of Asia Carrera crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue, and while the painting is incredible, I'm reluctant to even link the censored version because ProBoards hates nudity.
|
|
Dellarigg
AV Clubber
This is a public service announcement - with guitars
Posts: 7,514
|
Post by Dellarigg on Feb 14, 2019 17:33:20 GMT -5
My acoustics - cheap and cheerful, good for practising.
|
|
Dellarigg
AV Clubber
This is a public service announcement - with guitars
Posts: 7,514
|
Post by Dellarigg on Feb 14, 2019 17:37:28 GMT -5
I had an unhappy detour into a Fender amp, but soon came back home.
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Feb 14, 2019 17:43:08 GMT -5
Dellarigg I quite like the blue parlour-size guitar!
|
|
Dellarigg
AV Clubber
This is a public service announcement - with guitars
Posts: 7,514
|
Post by Dellarigg on Feb 14, 2019 17:52:28 GMT -5
Dellarigg I quite like the blue parlour-size guitar! It's a second-hand Jim Dixon (an entry level brand, I think) that I paid the massive sum of £35 for. And yep, it was the colour that sold it. I switch it between standard and open G tuning.
|
|
patbat
TI Forumite
OK です か
Posts: 2,396
|
Post by patbat on Feb 16, 2019 1:14:00 GMT -5
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,006
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 20, 2019 22:10:16 GMT -5
Right now all I have is a souvenir bamboo flute from Japan, but I desperately want a harmonium so I can get my drone on.
|
|
dwarfoscar
TI Forumite
it's complicated
Posts: 503
|
Post by dwarfoscar on Feb 21, 2019 10:44:37 GMT -5
All hail the hang, an instrument that looks and sounds like it comes from the Middle East or South Asia but was actually invented in Switzerland and is exclusively played by wealthy European hippies... I do like it though...
|
|
fab
TI Forumite
strange days
Posts: 1,617
|
Post by fab on Feb 22, 2019 14:25:44 GMT -5
I'm considering upgrading some cool Squier guitars I recently purchased--a J Mascis Jazzmaster and a Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster. I'm looking at getting locking tuners, roller string trees, and aftermarket vibrato arm assemblies on both of them, as well as getting a roller bridge for the Jazzmaster. The idea is to improve the tuning stability so I can use the vibrato for extreme Kevin Shields-type bends and warbles. A lot of sources online recommend also replacing the nut to improve tuning stability--has anyone had any experience with this? From what I've read, Squier nuts are practically Superglued in, so removing it is a pain even for people who know what they're doing. I'm also not sure which replacement nut to go with--there's a highly-regarded local guy who custom-cuts bone nuts for $90 a pop, which seems expensive, but might not actually be since that includes him removing the old plastic nut. Anybody have any comments on bone nuts vs. something like Tusq or Corian? omg, you guys... this thread! why did no one tell me! I have spent way more than I should've on guitar nonsense lately. ANYWAY. multipost incoming. glad to see you already replaced your nut(s, heh). TUSQ is great stuff, although some people swear by bone. I bought some bone blanks with the intended goal of learning how to file my own (replacing some seriously crap plastic ones), but honestly, I get the feeling that measuring and selecting the appropriate TUSQ model (with the correct spring spacing / pitch for your guitar!) and gently filing the bottom down as needed is the way to go. as with any of this stuff, you can spend a stupid amount of money. the decent stuff starts with the Wilkinson vibrato bridges. if you're gonna eBay parts for that, don't go for the cheapest ones, and possibly avoid eBay altogether and buy through a distributor if possible, as there are tons of somewhat dodgy Chinese knockoffs. (knockoffs of knockoffs?) the better stuff is MIK, with the premium tier assemblies being branded Wilkinson by Gotoh, so... made in Japan by Gotoh. and Gotoh makes some damn good stuff. I will post a bunch of pictures of the stuff I have bought. I was lucky enough to pick up a secondhand hybrid Fender / Squier Bass VI with a Staytrem bridge, which you apparently can't even export any more, not sure why that is... incoming Brexit and jacked shipping / tariff fees maybe? production volume? the other consistently recommended option is a Mastery bridge (for Jazzmaster type bridges), but my God, they're expensive as hell. glad I got the option secondhand. so yes. TUSQ nuts are wonderful. I have a real TUSQ nut on one guitar (probably my nicest one, but the neck profile doesn't quite fit my tastes, which is maddening b/c the damn guitar is so nice) and a generic graphite knockoff in an otherwise severely QC lacking Strat copy (Vintage Hendrix style Strat). it's infuriating at how good the stock 6 screw Wilkinson tremolo, Wilkinson "EZ lok" tuners, and knockoff generic graphite nut is, since I have to figure out how to do a full set dress and recrown, as that was totally overlooked. Reverb kinda fucked me over on that one. (the seller should've been forced to refund half the purchase cost, but at least I didn't have to haggle about it.)
|
|