joezakkwaldrianifan Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 Well I have a few issues with my SG-400 guitar. First thing is bridge height adjustment. There seems to be thumbwheels below bridge but when I turn them also screws on top of bridge turn. Should it be like this and thus I could just use slotted screwdriver for height adjusting ? If so then what are those thumb wheels needed for ? Then if I want to change thumb wheels is there some kind of locking mechanism which holds screw and thumb wheel together? Or just use some tools with force to separate them ? Also thinnest string sound a bit weak compared to others. There are six screws on top of pickups. Can these be used for adjusting for individual string volume ? Other possibility is saddle modifying but I don't like to do that. Thanks for your help.
Ricochet Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 If you turn the wheels you will see the screwhead move as well. They're one piece. :-) You want to slacken the string tension before adjusting the height. If you keep the tension on, firstly you will not be able to turn the wheels by hand and also risk wearing the threads. If the treble strings sound weak you adjust the pickup's height. Generally you stay away from the polepieces unless you want to compensate for the radius of a neck or a particularly weak sounding string.
jcwillow777 Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 The thumbwheels are just for looks, they are a part of the shaft inside the post. When you turn the screw, the thumbwheel turns. Use a screw drive to adjust the bridge. To adjust the pickup height, use the 2 screws on each side of the pickup.
joezakkwaldrianifan Posted October 3, 2008 Author Posted October 3, 2008 Thanks for clearing this thumb wheel thing. So those things were just misleading because I thought I was adjusting height in wrong way when raising bridge. About pickup adjusting. I tried those 2 screws at the sides of pickup. Then H ( or B ) string started overdrive. So will I break something adjusting pickup pole screws ? Or what is problem when adjusting them? Anybody tried and succeeded or failed ? Or maybe dealer of my guitar could do that. I know I should have checked this more carefully before buying but without this minor issue guitar is as good as it gets except it is not Les Paul.
Ricochet Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 You will not break anything adjusting the polepieces. There is no problem unless you're a complete clutz with a screwdriver.
lostindesert Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 The thumb wheels are not only for looks :( they hold the bridge in place. Always slacken the strings when adjusting the bridge height. Sometimes turning the polepieces a bit of potting wax can come loose. The 2 polepieces below the E-strings should be flush with the pickup/cover. Adjust the other 4 so they follow the radius of the fingerboard. Adjusting the pickups not to high will give better sound qualities, no string pull from the magnets. You'll loose some output but that's why you've got an amplifier, to amplify. Peter
jcwillow777 Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 The thumb wheels are not only for looks :( they hold the bridge in place.Peter True, but on a Gibson you use the wheel to adjust the bridge, not really the case on an Epi.
joezakkwaldrianifan Posted October 3, 2008 Author Posted October 3, 2008 The thumb wheels are not only for looks :( they hold the bridge in place.Always slacken the strings when adjusting the bridge height. Sometimes turning the polepieces a bit of potting wax can come loose. The 2 polepieces below the E-strings should be flush with the pickup/cover. Adjust the other 4 so they follow the radius of the fingerboard. Adjusting the pickups not to high will give better sound qualities' date=' no string pull from the magnets. You'll loose some output but that's why you've got an amplifier, to amplify. Peter[/quote'] Thanks. Already tried to adjust thinnest E polepiece with little effect ( only several turns though ). Some white fat like stuff came out a bit but nothing else. Problem is that center strings are at center of polepieces and strings at the edge are a bit off. Adjusting 4 center ones might be a good and working idea but I decided to leave polepiece adjusting now because I read somewhere that adjustable polepieces is more a marketing trick than any usefull adjustment. Next option is new saddles. Are there any ready packages for SG-400 or do I have to trust my own handwork ? Also do even Gibson custom guitars have all saddles as exactly same. Strings go through center and thus polepieces aren't positioned in same way for every string?
lostindesert Posted October 3, 2008 Posted October 3, 2008 True' date=' but on a Gibson you use the wheel to adjust the bridge, not really the case on an Epi.[/quote'] On my Epi Lucille the wheel adjust the bridge. Using the wheels on a Epi prevents damaging the screw posts.
joezakkwaldrianifan Posted October 4, 2008 Author Posted October 4, 2008 An update: As I rechecked it seems that strings go above poles in right place ( center ). So it is either new pickup or I can achieve something with pole piece adjustment. Anybody ever get any meaningfull result by pole piece adjustment ? I want to know if I would bother to do it. But watch out. Some guitar definetly have their strings and pole piece positions in wrong way. Look some top pictures from Harley Benton guitars. I almost bought one. What a ..( I better leave it like this ).
lostindesert Posted October 4, 2008 Posted October 4, 2008 Just adjust the polepieces and listen for any changes. I myself let the polepieces follow the radius of the fingerboard on my Epi Lucille. Peter
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.