fretmedic Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 OK, I just inherited a couple of guitars. A 2010 LP Traditional that has, apparently, never been "professionally" set up (as far as I know). Got them from my late cousin, who was not a proficient guitar player, he just had too much $$ to spend. He had these guitars for years, and they just sat in the cases. Same for the 2008 American Deluxe Strat. It still had the plastic cover on the pick guard. I find that when I play, and I have a tendency to fret hard, i.e. I bottom the strings out against the fret board, this results in notes being a bit sharp to my ears. I have owned many guitars, but never one of the "quality" of a genuine Gibby or Strat, so I am not sure if this is normal or not. I find that with these guitars, I can not play "sloppy" so much because I can hear it much clearer now. I have to use a much lighter touch than I am accustomed to using. So, should I go have somebody work on them? Lower the frets a bit, or is this a characteristic of a guitar of this quality?
stein Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Can't tell you how YOU should play, or set up your guitars. But a couple ideas to throw your way. When you tune, don't use the nut. Rather, tune the guitar to a fretted note like you would play. That's actually more accurate. Also, maybe think of it as an advantage, to help in listening to yourself (and others) as you play. It's a good thing if you can control pitch while chording and such. It could work both ways.
merciful-evans Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Get used to the guitars first. A luthier wont lower frets other than a little leveling. You could ask him to do this, but you'ld be much better off adapting to the guitars. Part of advanced fingering technique is to lighten your touch anyway. A lighter touch will enable you to do more in the long run. I suggest a settling in time of at least 3 months before considering a visit to the luthier. If you have put in sufficient playing time, you should have adapted to the guitars pretty well by then. You will find all the little nuisance issues such as rattling hardware, loose jack socket, buzz on D 20th fret etc. Enjoy your guitars. Part of that is getting to know them.
capmaster Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Hello Fretmedic, and welcome here. I'm sorry for the loss of your cousin. :( Get used to the guitars first. A luthier wont lower frets other than a little leveling. You could ask him to do this, but you'ld be much better off adapting to the guitars. Part of advanced fingering technique is to lighten your touch anyway. A lighter touch will enable you to do more in the long run. I suggest a settling in time of at least 3 months before considering a visit to the luthier. If you have put in sufficient playing time, you should have adapted to the guitars pretty well by then. You will find all the little nuisance issues such as rattling hardware, loose jack socket, buzz on D 20th fret etc. Enjoy your guitars. Part of that is getting to know them. Yes, just that. I wish you lots of playing fun, mate! It will develop with getting used to these fine instruments. I'm sure you will do them justice soon.
kidblast Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 I find that when I play, and I have a tendency to fret hard, i.e. I bottom the strings out against the fret board, this results in notes being a bit sharp to my ears sounds like the problem is with the technique, not the instrument. you do not need to press this hard, just enough to rest across the fret. What is happening to you sounds normal if your really crunching down on the stings. As has already said, get used to the feel and action of these guitars, and just try to lighten up a bit on your fretting hand.
BigKahune Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 . It could be due to technique. . Or it could be something else. Exactly where is this happening? . Pressing the strings into the first 3 or 4 frets? . Or pressing the strings into the upper frets? If it's just occurring within the first 3 or 4 frets, the nut slots might have to be lowered a tad. If you know a shop with a tech/luthier, you might have them take a look. .
skilsaw Posted October 3, 2015 Posted October 3, 2015 Welcome to the forum. And lucky you! Your cousin had good taste, if not music ability. I get some off notes occasionally when playing a chord, and sometimes when playing individual notes. I've come to the conclusion that the problem is technique. I bend the note without intending to. I stop there, and work on my fingering until I get the note right. Sometimes I put my tuner on and watch the note in question while playing it. After I get the note right, I try to remember the "feel" of the correct technique and return to practicing.
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