Hard to tune Gretsch
On May 3, 12:26 am, Richard Kuschel wrote:
On Apr 30, 10:53 am, Mickey530 wrote:
Thought I'd add my 2 cents to this. I had the same problem with a
Guild Starfire (wannabe Gibson 335). Heavier strings did solve the
problem for the most part.
However, you will need to get a new setup performed on the neck to
compensate for the increased tension on the neck.
Intonation will always be a problem especially after a string change
and depending on your playing style, wear and tear on the truss rod
could be a concern.
MickeyD
Of course you will need to set up the guitar for playing with heavier
strings. there will be a little more tension on the neck, but I
wouldn't worry about wearing out the truss rod, especially since the
guitar in question was originally set up for heavier strings.
As far as intonation, just "strobe" the instrument. It will play in
tune much better than an instrument using lighter strings. It will
also be easier to tune and hold its tune longer.
A lot of instruments will play better with the strings that they were
originally designed for. --
A prime example is the older Rickenbacker bass. if ou didn't use rick
strings on them, they would not play in tune and the bridge didn't hve
enough adjustment to allow playing in tune with any string than
rickenbacker.
One way that I was able to set up a Rick bass to allow other than
Rickenbacker flat-wounds was to install a Fender Mustang bridge in
place of the Rickenbacker bridge assembly. It didn't require any major
modification to the bass and the Mustang plate hid the holes left by
the removal of the original bridge/tailpiece. The Mustang bridge was
adjustable for height and had adequate string leng adjustment for
Rotosound and other round wound or half round strings. The dual
trussrod rRckenbacker neck was more than adequate for any string that
one would use.
Thanks to all who responded to this. I put a set of .13 ernie balls,
which is the heaviest electric strings they had down the street. A
little twist to the truss rod, a little graphite, using a pencil...and
I haven't had to tune it in days. I'd have never guessed. It plays
rock solid and I can bends, as much as the .13's will allow and it
stay in tune!
Tom
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