Lets look at our guitars thread

[FreeLitres]

I'll check them out.

What is the deal with the rough sliding though? Have they started loading new guitars with a different type of string? It feels like a mismatch of hardness between the string and fret. I noticed that higher end guitars seem a bit better (PRS USA, etc.)

[singlecoil]

FreeLitres said:

I was hoping to buy a new Guitar over the weekend but I'm finding the same "issue" with loads of different guitars.

My play style involves lots of bends and vibrato and I HATE the feeling of scratchy/resistance as the string is slid along the fret. Loads of guitars have this weird sensation. My guitar feels buttery smooth in this regard.

Any idea what causes this rough/scratchy sensation on the fret? Does it improve over time?

It's either the fretboard or the surface of the fret that is resisting the bending. Assuming it isn't the fretboard (which is unlikely anyway) then it must be the surface of the frets. It sounds as if the frets have not been sufficiently well smoothed after the grinding which is part of the fret levelling process.

If you like a guitar in every other respect you may choose to buy it and smooth/polish the frets yourself, alternatively buy a guitar which has been finished to a better standard (these tend to be the more expensive ones). If you choose the former option, I can tell you how to set about it.

[Djr1]

Could also be old strings if guitars have sat in the shop for a while?

[wombleh]

Lovely looking gretsch, that ibanez collection is also rather good!

Decided I needed something pointy. After my success with an upgraded epiphone LP I was looking for an explorer to pimp but couldn't find any cheap ones. Ended up being a choice of this or chapman ghost fret. Wasn't sure about the pickups on the chappers so went with solar and very happy.

Sounds tasty through the peavey, especially with the addition of a cheap TS clone in front, soon to be upgraded.



Don't hate me evangelion but have also got an Ltd baritone arriving next week, tuned to B apparently.

[Don1]

That's cool. Mrs Don1 likes the explorer shape... what a pity!

[wombleh]

Don1 said:

That's cool. Mrs Don1 likes the explorer shape... what a pity!

You'd better add one to the collection then!

[derin100]

I have some others abroad but here are a couple that I have here:



Ibanez Artcore AF75



Italia Modena....Single pick up and Racing Stripes! Actually a much, much higher quality built guitar than it looks and weighs a ton! LOL!

[Evangelion]

wombleh said:

... Don't hate me evangelion but have also got an Ltd baritone arriving next week, tuned to B apparently.

Eeewww. Still it's your guitar not mine so if you like it, then that's all that matters!

(It would be the reverse headstock I'd really hate; only ever had one and got rid of it ASAP - I was spending half the time turning the tuner the wrong way, and the other half turning the wrong bloody one!)

[wombleh]

Always fancied trying a strat, was waiting to head to andertons with a bunch of cash and try a few, g&l being top of the list but wasn't sure if the American built ones warranted the extra money.

Then got sidetracked watching csguitar vids on YouTube and decided to build one instead as an experiment and learn a bit. Neck is too flat for my liking so may try shaping and refretting if I get something playable. Singlecoil did you post a vid about redoing frets? Might come in handy soon!

[enjo]

Good plan, it's rewarding and fun!
The telealike and stratalike in this pic are my home builds -

[singlecoil]

wombleh said:

Singlecoil did you post a vid about redoing frets?

I haven't as yet, and although I have plans to do something one problem is what level of equipment should I assume the viewer has access to or is prepared to buy?

The cost of the stuff I use would buy a nice new USA G&L and a decent amp, and although not all of it is strictly necessary, I'm sure you could buy a decent neck that was already what you wanted for less than the cost of a basic kit of refretting tools.

If you do go buying other bits, may I recommend a set of pressed steel (old style) bridge saddles, much better than the cast ones on the guitar pictured.

[wombleh]

Good point, unbranded necks seem to be around £60 on ebay. Not a set of tools I'm likely to use often either.

For the bridge saddles, something like this what you had in mind?

Nice looking kit enjo, also fancy a telecaster so maybe that's next project. How does the stratalike sound with the humbucker in the bridge?

[singlecoil]

More like these is what I had in mind, though you might be able to do better on the price.

https://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/6-x-vintage-sad...

The necks they do are pretty good

[enjo]

wombleh said:

Nice looking kit enjo, also fancy a telecaster so maybe that's next project. How does the stratalike sound with the humbucker in the bridge?

Thanks - it's a PAF type so low output which keeps it fairly chimey to match the single coils.

[wombleh]

singlecoil said:

More like these is what I had in mind, though you might be able to do better on the price.

https://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/6-x-vintage-sad...

The necks they do are pretty good

Cheers the maple necks they do look a lot better. First upgrades planned already and it's still in bits on the workbench!

[Xcore]

Just got given this beauty, my first Ibanez! So far a big fan

[Don1]

Welcome to the slippery slope.

[Contract Killer]

Xcore said:

Just got given this beauty, my first Ibanez! So far a big fan

Snap, mine has SD Blackouts, its a great guitar for the money. Bought it when I was 16 with my government college payment cheque
Only shame is the truss rod adjustment is rounded, so can't set it up properly.




My first guitar, bought for £10 back in school, its not a bad guitar!




Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro, it plays really nicely, looks great, however I rarely think to play it.
Something about it just doesn't click with me..




Mexican Fender Tele, fitted with Hot rails. This is a seriously good guitar, few people use a tele to play metal, but I think its great.
My second favourite guitar.




And my favourite has to be my Schecter, Floyd Rose, Fishman pickups, great finish, and plays and sounds great, what more can you want





And all together in the Man Lounge

[singlecoil]

Contract Killer said:

Only shame is the truss rod adjustment is rounded, so can't set it up properly.

Can you not take the nut out altogether and replace it?

[Don1]

Nice collection