changelives

I am not worried about the nexk so much. I can keep an eye on that. - The problem is the buzz/hum on the low E with the 9's (not against a fret, but anytime i hit any string). I am afraid that it will take work on the nut and I am not ready to take that on.

Cool idea on the yard sale guitar - harder to do with an LP - but I will see if there is an EPI out there real cheap. I go back and forth between sticking with the 10's and the 9's. My son has a new nighthawk with 10's so I do get to compare even after my recent change. But I like the 9's better - its not so much a matter of strength (I have been using the 10's since I started playing, so my fingers are fine) I like the slightly different tone. Still has the wonderful LP depth but the 9's feel a little bluesier. The Burstbucker pros my studio came with need some help in that arena. Next time I will go for split coils. And I do feel like I can be somewhat more nuanced in my bends with the 9's.

This is going to be fun!

You are killing me! Not the bridge adjustment but a new grooving on the nut/saddle. I can't wait until this book comes!!!

Btw, the buzz was not when the string was being played. Rather, if it got plucked, or even after hitting another string, it would create an ongoing hum that would last until I could mute it. But the muting would have to be all the time. The low E would start buzzing/humming even when I hit the B string. It never hit a fret, just kept humming. When I went to the hybrids that the latest tech told me to do, and I got back the heavier gauge on the low E, the humming stopped.

First of all, I love this forum. You are all amazing and so generous with a newbie. Thank you. It does feel daunting to me to both learn how to play AND how to tinker simultaneously. But one of the reasons I chose electric guitar was the ability to experiment with sounds, effects and equipment. I have spent hours and hours so far with books on sound waves, the nature and history of notes and how they can be electronically created and manipulated. But, as you can tell, I am fearful of playing around with my guitar. It feels like such a precision instrument that I can't get over the feeling that I am too much of an amateur to touch the actual tool. My history of choosing a guitar probably shows this. When I told my wife that I wanted to play guitar, she went out and bought me an acoustic as a present. But I didn't want to play acoustic, so I decided to trade it for an electric. I started at guitar center because of the anonymity. (btw, I am 52 and in my third career, this one as a university professor - so I am not really comfortable with not knowing stuff.). I could play around there, sitting in front of an amp listening to the sound of different guitars - without knowing anything else. Just playing around and listening to how it would sound. I didn't even know how to Hold a guitar yet. The problem was that the one that sounded the best to me was a Gibson. The guy kept trying to get me to buy an epi, but it didn't feel or sound the same. So I went nuts and spent way too much (for a newbie) on a new studio faded - the cheapest les Paul I could buy. After a while a felt guilty for spending that much so I returned it. I was going to buy myself a mim strat. I could get that for less than half the price. So I bought one on Craigslist, but when I brought it home, I found a crack in the neck, so I got the guy to give me my money back. By now, I had taken lessons for several months, and I knew a little bit more. I bought another fender from Craigslist and kept it for a few months. But I just couldn't get the sound I wanted. So in a mad evening frustrated moment, I ran to GC, and traded my fender for my original LP studio faded. I was home again. But I feel like it is very precious. I am almost afraid of it. But in truth, I already started saving for my next one. I am a thousand or two away from that one though. I have been playing for a year now and it is the best thing I have done as an adult. Beats golf by miles. My kids are growing, so I have time. I play 12 to 15 hours a week. I am getting better and better. I have been toying with other equipment non-stop as well. Trying to replicate sounds I hear in recordings. Amps, PODs, etc. it is a never ending frustrating battle. Is it my guitar, my amp, my room, my pick........... Anyway, it is time for the next step. A good set of tools, a good book ordered already, thank you!!!) and a bit of courage. Worse case scenario, I screw it up so bad that I have no choice but to go out and buy a new one:) I will keep you all up on my progress and thank you all again. Anyway, it has been a year and I suppose it may be time to toy around with the guitar itself.

How would I know which is the right one - or should I let the guy just figure it out?

What would that adjustment be?

Update After the switch to 9's , I had a buzzing in my low e string. I brought it to a highly recommended guy. He suggested I try hybrids (light high) heavy lows. So d'addario 9's to 46's. He said that if I didn't like that, I could bring it in for a minor adjustment and go back to 9's all the way Changing the strings did get rid ofnthencourse buzz, but I need to play with this mixed set a bit before making up my mind for sure. I'll check back in soon..

No need to get personal. Fear is not my problem. I just like to know what I am doing before I make decisions. I spent a decade working on skid row helping homeless folks, gang members, felons and addicts. I found that staying alive involves knowing as much as you can before jumping in. I am pretty sure the sappers will agree.

Ok! Switched to the 9's last night (Ernie Ball Super Slinky's) and played for several hours. Loved them. Much easier bends and the tone is really great. Even after a one hour lesson and another 2 hours my hands weren't even tired. (I started playing guitar 10 months ago - at 51 years old - and I take lessons and practice 12 to 15 hours a week - the life of a professor ain't bad. So my hands do get sore after a few hours - this switch will be a real help.) Now to the follow up question - When do I go in to get a new setup? Do I wait for the neck to adjust to the new strings, or do I go now? Thanks

Great idea on the package. Thanks.

I have a guitar lesson tonight and didn't want to switch stings before then. I figured that it might take me a while to get used to the new feel and I didn't want it to impact my lesson. I am going to switch to the 9's in the next day or so and will definitely check back here.

I'm convinced - restringing in the morning! Thanks all

It doesn't sound like it is just as easy as trying it, and then just switching back if I have to get it set up anew each time. I am not a tinkerer and I don't have $80 to throw around (for a switch to 9's and then possibly back). And right now, I am sad to say, this is my only guitar!!! I truly love the Gibson LP tone, so my fingers will just have to get a little stronger and I think I will, as they say, not mess with success.