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Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Hey-
Have a guitar related, but not "O" question. I've been toying with the idea of having the BUZZ FEITEN tuning system installed on one of my electrics that I use for recording. Wondering if anyone has any experience with it?
Don't seem to have a "tuning" problem with my O's, but when I play an electric through distortion, even after fully and accurrately intonating w/fresh strings, the "nature" of the guitar doesn't keep chords/notes in tune all over the neck. Anyone who records would understand what a pain in the ass this is.
There is a "licensed" installer in my area, who wants $175 to install it, and can even do it without permanently altering the guitar (so if I don't like it, I'm not stuck with it)-by installing a nut that extends slightly over the fret board, rather than cutting into the fretboard.
I hear fantastic things about this system, and the only down side I know is that you can't do intonation yourself (it becomes a whole new proceedure), which is fine by me.
Thoughts? Experience?
If you don't know what the buzz feiten tuning system is here's the link:
http://www.buzzfeiten.com
Thanks in advance.
Johnny |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | JOhnny
Most modern guitar makers compensate like the feiten system. Hamer and PMS come to mind.
This is a question that no one has ever been able to answer me. IF you have a buzz equiped guitar and the bass player and other guitar player does not. will you all be able to play in tune?
Theoretically I say NO. you must all have the same system.
IMHO don't do it. I think there are no real benefits. |
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Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | There's no doubt that it works. Whether it was worthy of a patent & whether it's worth nearly $200 is open to debate. A good set-up by a tech who really knows the job will be cheaper and address most if not all of your intonation problems. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Thanks for your input, Al.
I think the guitar by design, has trouble with the g string and the b string playing in tune when played together. It's harder to hear, for me, on acoustic, but when a electric guitar is driven through distortion, it becomes very apparent. If you tune those strings, and play them open together, they may sound fine...but then play a b or c minor barre chord, and those same 2 strings can sound drastically out of tune with each other, even only a few frets away. This type of thing has been a "problem" for many recording guitarists for a long time.
This system puts the guitar more accurately in tune with itself, string to string (though this BUZZ system is admittedly, is not entirely perfect either, but better than the standard setup). I don't think it is like "tempered" tuning of a piano.
I'm kinda talking out my ass here (not unusual, I know), trying to get a little understanding for myself. That's why I asked.
I thought that, perhaps, just having it installed in one of my guitars that I record with would be a good idea to relieve those related frustrations. I'm not sure that a more precisely tuned guitar would cause a problem when jamming with someone else. But, Al, you may be right. I honestly don't know what the result would be.
Thanks for your input.
Johnny |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Most of my electric playing is rather dissonat so I guess dissonance is not a problem for me. |
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Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Paul T.
Thanks for you input as well.
I have always had my guitars "set up" (intonated, adjusted)by the same local repair shop (they're specialty is strictly repairs, mods, and replacement parts. They typically don't sell guitars) which is also my Licensed Ovation repair shop. I've been going to them for 20 years or so, and believe they know what they are doing. Perhaps I am wrong. (By the way, these aren't the guys who do the Buzz mods either-so they aren't trying to sell it to me).
Still, I've recently had my guitars setup (specifically for doing some recording), and I am experiencing this "tuning" issue. Maybe I'm just a dumb ass-that is certainly realistic too!
I appreciate both your input.
Johnny |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | John;
As much as I really, really LIKE Dave & Co., and have the utmost respect for him/them (Rick ALSO has been going to him for years and swears by them)I'd be prone to suggest getting a setup done elsewhere and see if the problem persists before undertaking such an investment/modification.
This isn't the Parker is it? |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | dave's sound? whippany NJ? |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I don't know how long you've been playing, and I guess in the long run it doesn't really matter. I developed a bad habit a few years ago, from where it came I do not know, of pressing on the strings a little hard on the lower frets. I would tune, noodle around, all would be fine... then play an "A" or a "D" and YUCK!!! I thought it was intonation and it turned out to be ME!!! You can pull any string sharp this way, any place on the neck.
Just thought I would mention it, as this saved me a lot of grief when it was pointed out what I was doing.
Since having it pointed out, I caught other folks doing similar things... like their middle finger presses harder than the others when doing a bar chord.
It's most common on electics, especially from the 80's when "big fat frets" were all the rage. |
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Location: NJ | Al;
Whilst I was attempting to be somewhat "cryptic" and "discreet" and not name "names and locations", . . . in a word, . . . "yes". |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Cliff, and Al-
I was introduced to Dave's as a recommended source for repairs back in the early 80's. They've always been great to me and I've brought them a lot of referrals, and probably put Dave's kids through college on my string purchases alone.
However, I have heard some "things" through the years about some work done there. Never experienced anything but great work myself, and they've always been more than fair and helpful with me through these years-many times doing a minor repair on the spot when time was an issue for me. They treat my "O"s very well there.
But, I think, Cliff, your suggestion was great. Do you know anyone around who does good work? I've been skeptical of Ritchies.
Miles...
I know exactly what you are talking about...(too much pressure). Though I've been playing a long time, I'm never too old to consider that I have a few bad habits-some I'll even admit. However, knowing that excessive pressure causes fretted notes to go out of tune, I've experimented with it in regards to my own playing, and don't think it's the case here. I appreciate the suggestion.
I've noticed this type of thing happen with many people I've taught guitar to over the years...often novices with limited finger muscle strength will grip a guitar neck for dear life-to make all the notes of a chord ring out. The weaker fingers can barely make the notes happen, while the other stronger fingers will press so hard they almost puncture the neck. And, of course, it sounds like shit, especially tuning-wise. It's all part of learning the guitar.
I was always weary of scalloped necks (ala Yngwie) for this very reason. I would think the subtlest inconsistancy with finger pressure would cause tuning problems.
I'll have someone else intonate my guitar and get back to you guys on this.
Thanks, so much!
Johnny |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | John/Al;
Dave's a good friend of mine (known him over 20 years - Jeanette and his wife Linda grew up together) and the LAST thing I'd want to do is to steer business away from him. But his primary expertise is Sound Equipment and repair thereof.
While he does have an in-house guitar-tech (I forget the cat's name), he does so as an added service to his customers. It is not their FORTE.
I personally have never used him to service my guitars (never needed to). Rick SWEARS by him. (Rick also has a habit of experiencing intermittent intonation "challenges" - and if you tell him I said that I'll vehemently deny it ;) ).
What guitar are you talking about and how far are you willing to travel to have it set up?
I have a friend that I've known since kindergarten who's a BRILLIANT electric guitarist who always SWORE by Victor's House of Music (used to be in Ridgewood, now - I think - in Paramus).
One of the salesmen here at the office plays and deals with them a lot as well. When he comes back from a show in Orlando I can make an inquiry if you'd like. |
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Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Victor's is down the road from where I work...I've been there to shop, but their prices are rape worthy for gear. (went in there once last year)...
But if they do good work, I'll check em out.
Thanks for the input.
Johnny |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I'll see if I can get you a contact name. |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have known Dave about 10 years via guitar shows hamfests etc. He has always been a straight shooter with me. I have not seen him for maybe 5 years now. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Oh, he's DEFINITELY a great guy to know & do business with. . . . . I just think he's been having some "challenges" with his guitar tech.
. . . I'll say no more. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Hmmmmm.
Bill (the guitar repair "cat") has really been helpful and friendly with me.
Dave has always been great too.
Cliff...perhaps you know some "insider" info that I don't....
I'll still go to Dave's for strings...he's got great prices. Although, the last time I went to Guitar Center in Totowa (2 weeks), they had D'Adario EJ38's (the 12 string set-hint..ya gotta buy for the legend now too) for $8 and change(w/tax)...a lil cheaper than Dave's. I was shocked, and thought it was mispriced, but perhaps not. Maybe that's a lil more convenient to your trip home than Dave's.
J |
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Got a BUZZ???????
