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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | So what lo-cost/no-cost mods have you made to your setup that you think just gives you the killer tone?
(At least in your mind...)
Here's what I swear by: a piece of stout copper wire thru the ball ends.
What do you mean, Ouch?
I think it adds bags more sustain and a little brightness. But then, I would, wouldn't I?
What's your trade secret? |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | At the factory we used to use an old string to line them up so they'd look pretty. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | For Electrics:
- Superglue the Bridge Posts.
- Use rubber tubing in the place of springs on the pickups.
- Use White Glue and Newspaper to bond the neck to the body (Factory Tip)
- cut the Nut groove and use a one piece nut, don't shim, replace!
Acoustics:
- Dunlop Straploc's on everything, always tight and use washers or padding on the strap to keep the attachments from rattling.
- The Saddle/shim/OPP area needs a clean seating.
- Find the right strings for each guitar, player and style, there is no universal best set.
And...
- Have someone else play your guitar! :D |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | For Electrics:
Rubber tubing in place of springs
Planet Wave Locking tuners
Dunlop Straploc's with felt |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | What effect does using rubber tubing instead of springs have on tone? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Springs may vibrate or pinch a wire. Less metal is less chance for feedback or ground issues.
Minimal effect but it could add up. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | String tubes for the acoustics, it helps cut down the amount of wood vibration generated by the moving string. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Busters |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Lessons. Helps a lot... |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Bigger, more powerful amps, and plenty of them. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Tuning down a half step.
_____
gh1 |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | this is what the felt looks like:
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Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | Not really an odd mod, but I've got bone nuts (ouch) and saddles on mine. Certainly good bang for your buck. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Fossil ivory bridge pins |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Music stand extension wings. |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Phil Keaggy played my guitar once - it sounded much better |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | :D |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Tweaking the nuts. Getting the nut slots to the correct depth improves intonation a lot, especially for the first 5 frets.
Fresh batteries in the effects pedals, or use a plug in power supply.
Finding the right pick for the guitar. Ultex sound best to me on my acoustics. Gator Grip or Dava for the electric. Thinner for strumming, thicker for single notes. Maybe nobody else notices, but I think that the choice in pick makes a difference in clarity and tone.
Speaker swap on the amp (Eminence Ragin' Cajun). It's much better than the Fender factory speaker. At $65 it was more than nothing, but a lot cheaper than buying a whole new amp.
Getting the pickup height set properly on the electrics make a big difference in quality of tone.
Finally, a couple of beers makes my playing sound a lot better! |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by FlySig:
Finally, a couple of beers makes my playing sound a lot better! Finally, a "mod" that I'm capable of performing. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | And if someone else is buying I'll compliment their playing! |
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Odd mods?