Guitar.com/Tech Tips

audacity

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

can anyone recommend a video site on how to use "audacity" I can't really find a very good one, maybe some of you have your favorite how to video for this one thanks bayou jim

Peter Green Pickup Mod

Waltz — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I've been reading about this lately and was thinking about trying it. Anyone familiar with it are done it? Looking for opinions/tips. Thanks.

2 conductor humbucker

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have an old Ibanez that I am dusting off. The neck is stamped as an RG 550. However the pickup configuration is odd for a 550. It is H S S. I am using the stock pick ups. The humbucker is a 2 conductor. 1 red wire, 1 white wire. and a braided ground. I also have a new 5 way switch. As strange as it sounds, I have never wired a 2 conductor humbucker. Only 4 wire. Does anyone have a diagram for this configuration? Thank you in advance.

Graphic Equalization to eliminate feedback

eds1275 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I figured I`d write a little ditty on using that EQ you have on your PA system to drive out feedback. But first, let`s discuss what feedback is, and what causes it - and why you eed to avoid it beyond the obvious reasons. Feedback is when a particular frequency gets amplified, hits a microphone, gets reamplified, rinse, repeat. It does this at an alarming rate, getting louder each time. This takes literally MILLISECONDS to get to ear-piercing, horrible screaching. It can also take on the shape of a booming low note and is just as bad. ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN`T HEAR IT. So besides the noise, why do you need to avoid it? Wel your PA system is an investment, just like any other piece of gear and as such you want to protect it. So first thing you want to do with your graphic EQ is roll out the frequencies your speakers cannot reproduce - it will tell you on the speaker, or in the manual, or on the manufacturer's website. What can happen is feedback going on at a low freqquency your speaker is not designed to handle, but it will try, and can tear the edge of a speaker cone if left unnoticed, as the speaker will be shaking more than it is designed to handle. Dont worry about how your eq looks, it's a tool just like a hammer and is meant to be used. If you get feedback above what your speakers built in crossover is set to your feedback will be coming through your horn, and those little buggers are faster to fry (literally) because they get really hot and burn out, leaving you with either no high end or a scratchy horrible sounding buzz that cuts in and out. So the easiest way to remove feedback is to speak into a mic that feeds back (just a bit) and if you've got an ear for this kind of thing you just turn down the frequencies that feedback. I can do it, it's a neat party trick. However not everyone has years of experience... so what you need to do in that situation is turn up your one microphone until it starts feeding back if left unattended (again, just a tiny bit) and turn your faders down one at a time until the feedback disappears [as in, turn the fader on your graphic eq down until it's gone, not drop that frequency out entirely]. Keep checking your mic for volume - once it's as loud as you need it there's no need to keep messing with it. Do this for all other mics, and learn to know when enough is enough. It can get pretty unnatural sounding, so if you start to sound honky you can dip out frequencies around the ones you've already messed with - creating smoother dips so that it doesn't sound like something's been pulled out. Some rooms (especially small ones) are really prone to feedback because the sound from the speakers bounce off the walls right back into a mic. In this case you can always move your mic around to find the best placement, move the speakers around to find the best placement, or just jam quieter. Smaller rooms just can't handle excessive SPL and have their own ways of letting you know. Speaker placement: depending on the number of mics, monitors, and people that have to hear the vocal - wedges on the floor a few feet in front of you [preferably near the middle of the room so sound from the wedge doesn't hit the wall behind you and go back into ther mic]. Most wedges have a distinct area where you get the best tone and loudest volume, and it's rarely right in front. It's usually 2 or 3 feet back - put on a cd and walk around. Then put your mic on a stick with the null of the polar pattern pointing roughly towards the speaker. An upside of having your vocal area near the middle of the room is if you keep your backline closer to the walls you can hear yourself better espeicially using a combo amp. If you've just got 2 speakers for everyone, drop one down on the floor beside the drummer for them to use, and then put one on a stick behind the drummer but well above his head so the sound shoots past towards everyone else in the room. Make sure you have seperate volume for each speaker because the drummer will most likely have his monitor quieter than the one for everyone else [though I know many drummers who have no respect for their hearing and could care less].

DIY Speaker Cabs

this dying soul — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I'm considering building my own speaker cabs and I'm looking for blueprints for either a 2x12 or 1x12 design. Essentially I think it's basically just constructing a box to put the speakers in and then finding a covering or finishing the wood, but I'd like to at least attempt to build the cab the right way rather than slapping it together. I know there's many ways of assembling the cabinet and they affect the sound differently. Of what I can find out, recommended materials are plywood (3/4 inch to 1 inch) for the cabinet itself and for the baffle 1/2 inch to 1 inch plywood depending on the sound I'm after. Also, I know that most manufacturers use birch and that just like guitars; the wood used shapes the sound of the cabinet so I'm considering other types of wood but not really sure how it'll impact the tone and I don't have the budget to make dozens of cabs in the hopes of chosing the right woods. Anyone whose got some experience making your own speaker cabs or at least knows where I can get my hands on some plans for one, please post any links or helpfull hints here. Also, since I've never built a speaker cab before; would I be best to start off with cheaper materials like particle board or MDF and use this to experiment with and save the plywood or solid wood boards for when I've figured out the best way to construct the cabinet? You know, basically build a prototype first and see if there's anything I really need to consider doing differently?

NEED HELP CHAINING PEDALS!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I'm running a Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Mayhem, an MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay, a Dunlop Cry baby original, and an MXR 10 band EQ(And for the record, i used to be a BOSS only guy and have a DS-1, OC-3, Compression Sustainer, Flanger, and Metal Zone, until i opened my heart to other manufacturers, now my boss pedals collect dust!) I need the EQ MAINLY for the Twin tube pedal, and the Delay to effect all of the pedals equally, so whats the best chain from the guitar to the amp with these...Opinions welcome and appreciated!

Still Humming

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a question. I have just installed a 1 meg volume pot. Replacing the 500k stock pot. Also I have completely shielded (using copper shield tape) the control cavity and the top side humbucker cavities (this is a schecter, 2 humbucker, 1 vol., 1 tone) Everything is fine except for a hum that I am getting in the middle of the volume sweep. The grounds look fine and the original buzz is gone. Do I need to do something else with the ground due to shielding or do I need another capacitor for the 1 meg volume pot? HELP!

Need metal pedal advice

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I need a new distortion pedal. I'm playing a boss MT-2 and have been for about 10 years. Well, after much soldering, it finally bit the dust. Is there a more adjustable pedal out there with two stomp buttons for more drive that i don't know about? The big metal muff isn't meaty enough, and the Vox Saturate is just pathetic for metal. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! If there's a chain i can use with the Boss DS-1 and the MT-2 that someone knows of, i would like to know your settings, because it makes my sound too distorted when i use both and i cant get it right. Music is life, and life is good,,, Also, my gear is a fender hot-rod deluxe stack with extension cabinet, a 2003 Les Paul standard, Jackson DKMG, and and Epi Les Paul Classic if that helps.

Wiring problem with new dimarzio DP409

Quiltface — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I just bought a Dimarzio DP409 Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues 2 pickup for my Ibanez RG. It has a HSH set up and according to dimarzio I need to wire it like this... http://www.dimarzio.com//media/diagrams/B2.pdf Except I only have 4 wires.... Green and Red. and then black and white soldered together and insulated and cut very short. (this is how it came out of the box) There is no bare wire. So my question is how am I supposed to do this? the black and white are too short to go anywhere. Am I looking at the wrong diagram? Do I not need the bare wire? I have installed pickups numerous times (all humbuckers however) and never had an issue.

Hum

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Tubes

saxman78 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Is there an easy way I can check the tubes in my bassman at home. Voltmeter? What should I look for?. The amp in question is a 72 Bassman 10. Any help would be appreciated.

true temperament VS buzz feiten

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I want to get a better sound, a better intonation, especially with chords, I want everything to sound prefectly in tune. What do you recommend? buzz feiten, true temperament, or is there anything else i don't know??

Guitar learnning videos other than youtube?

da beginner — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I am in china!! and youtube is blocked here!!! So does anybody here know any sites where there are guitar learning videos????? I tried using proxies but they take so much time and do not load completely ( they just stop in the middle)!!!!!

F-ing (bleep)ed at my switch

NaturalProgressive — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

The switch on my Peavey Predator went out, so I decided to try the Super Switch from Stew-Mac. (item #3200, for anyone interested) I try one wiring scheme and I only get 3 positions to work. Then I look online for help and find this: http://www.guitarelectronics.com/product/WDUHSS5L1102 It got me less than nothing; none of the positions work with this scheme. So, does anyone have experience with this exact switch and is willing to help me?

Grounding problem? & a few more questions about my tele

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey guys, Just finished building a tele and it's sounding pretty awesome, but I've got a few issues. First of all, I'm getting this high pitched squeal every now and then when I palm mute the strings in a hi-gain setting. I think this is odd because first of all, it has a '59 in the bridge, and second of all, I use two separate noise gates, and none of my other guitars have this problem, not even my strat. Is this caused by a crappy ground under the bridge? Also, the action is too high for my liking. I've got plenty of room to adjust the saddle height, but whenever I bring them down to a somewhat acceptable height, I get buzz on the bass strings between the 12th and 15th frets. I've adjusted the truss rod to no success...if I got the action better via a truss rod adjustment, I was then getting buzz on the first few frets. Any ideas? Thanks

Johnson Guitar Project

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I bought an old beat up Johnson Guitar for $20.00 and decided to build it back to greatness. I've tore it apart and sanded the body and then went on a hunt for parts. I came across some Mexican Fender Stratocaster parts for $30.00 and I will be installing them soon.heres where I am at so far.one Can of Krylon High Gloss Acrylic Burgundy paint on the body.then I realized there are some cracks here and there.so what should I do to cover and fix these cracks? I have the wood glue so I figure I will fill in the cracks and do some sanding and then put another can of Krylon on it. A good source told me to fine.wet sand each coat of paint to get a great look with 1200 sandpaper. I found some 1500 sandpaper but how shall I sand?circular ..up down..across..wet..dry? so heres where I need your help. Heres my web page on this project.thanx in advanced with Your suggestions. http://myguitarproject.webnode.com/

Removing a spring/intonation

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I just got my strat back from the music store and found the trem to be rather stiff because I had all four springs on it. I like the trem to be stiff, but not too stiff. I decided to take a spring off and shift one over to the center to keep the tension even. It seems ok as far as tuning goes but I'm wondering if this can throw the intonation off. Opinions?

50 Watt speaker/PA

Cargen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Well i got another question(i just have so many and nobody to ask you know) I have a old amp, speaker seems to be intact and working but the amp itself... well, its broken for undefined reasons. I cant seem to find anything wrong with it, its just broken. So i've decided to make this old speaker(15 inch) into a PA speaker. How would i set that up? i got some wood to box it, but how should i go about powering it. Do i run it though a Mixer or ... i dont know, i just have a speaker and i want to make it a PA. what would be the most effective and cheapest way to do this? its an Fender 50 watt(i believe)

GUITAR BACKING TRACK, CAN SOMEONE HELP ME OUT?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

ALRIGHT HERES THE DEAL I LIKE TO PERFORM AT MY SCHOOL YOU KNOW LIKE AT TALENT SHOWS AND ALL THAT AND NEXT YEAR I WAS GOING TO PLAY "CEMETARY GATES" BY "PANTERA" AND I NEED A GUITAR BACKING TRACK WITH VOCALS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS I ALREADY HAVE A GUITAR BACKING TRACK FOR "CEMETARY GATES" AND HERES THE THING IT DOESNT HAVE VOCALS, WHICH I NEED, AND NO LEAD GUITAR , AND THE PART I LIKE ABOUT IT IS THERE IS NO LEAD GUITAR BECAUSE THATS WHAT I PLAY, OKAY LETS CUT TO THE CHASE, I NEED THE ORIGINAL VOCALS IN THE SONG BECAUSE IT SOUNDS BETTER, BECAUSE I CANT SING FOR CRAP SERIOUSLY ALL I DO IS PLAY LEAD, AND ALL OF THE BACKING TRACK COMPANIES THAT I HAVE EMAILED AND ASKED TO JUST TAKE OUT THE LEAD GUITAR SAY THATS OK AND WHEN I ASK FOR THE ORIGINAL VOCALS THEN TELL ME THAT THEY CANT MAKE A TRACK WITH THE VOCALS , I DONT KNOW WHY BUT THEY CANT, SO LIKE I WAS SAYING IS THERE A SOFTWARE OR A COMPANY THAT YOU KNOW OF THAT I CAN USE OR ASK IF THEY CAN USE THE ORIGINAL TRACK AND JUST TAKE OUT ONLY THE LEAD GUITAR? PLEASE IF SOMEONE CAN HELP ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT

My kustom amp.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I own a 12 gauge Kustom amp and a Stratocaster. Recently I've been fiddling around with my amp and i can get great tones on a clean setting with a Clapton kinda vibe. When i switch over to distortion I'm usually playing Rush or other classical rock, but i can never get a decent sound out of it( yes i know its a cheaper amp but it is of good quality). I would really like some tips or good settings for my tone, volume, equalizer etc.. for both my guitar and amp. I'd also appreciate specific settings for blues and such. I hope you guys can help me out. Thanks!

Drop Tuning with FLOYD ROSE

Uniknow — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

HI everyone. I just bought a Schecter c-1 FR Hellraiser and I'm really happy with it, the floyd is working pretty well no problems. I got it in standard tuning but 90% of the stuff i play is in drop d (just the E dropped to D). How should I do this? there are a lot of articles out there but none of them help. Should I unlock the nut for the E & A strings and drop the d and adjust the A string. Lock it then fine tune. OR should I put a wood block or stack for coins in the tremolo spring cavity, open the nut and drop the D string? Right now my floating trem, is slightly raised, it's not 100% equal with the body. There is more tension on the strings than on the springs so the trem is raised, not sinking in the cavity. Should I be dropping the string or would it screw something up? I shouldn't need to adjust the spring because the less tension on the string will lower the bridge slightly into the correct position. Will it throw the trem of balance?

Why all the knobs

Hippieway — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I'm rebuilding a strat and my question is there any solid reason for two tone ports. My tele nashville has three pickups and only one tone, all's good. There are a couple of devices on the market that might make better use of that lower tone port, so why would I need two tone pots?

Fixing Loose Neck

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a '88 Kramer Nightswan. Unfortunately, due to the guitar being used so much, the neck has become slightly loose. The bolts are still tight but the neck is shifting up an down, this is causing the guitar to go out of tune. What is the best, or any way, to fix a loose bolt-on neck like this???

BR Explorer

JTC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

If you use a BR600 you need this software. http://www.geocities.com/sixtyfourguitars/BRX/index.html I discovered this by accident. I was hunting through my old backups looking for a recording for Farlow. It was taking forever loading my backup files to my BR Flash card and then hunting through the project files one by one. I was able to easily locate the project I was looking for and load that specific project to a flash card so that I could work with it on my recorder. I've needed this for so long.... This program let's you view the backup files on your hard drive. Here is a list of what it does; * Browse the BR backups on your hard drive, memory card reader, or directly from the BR and view details such as Song Name and Size, Track Usage, Rhythm Guide Arrangement details, Patterns, and Effects. * Add full-length song titles and notes to any songs. * Easy Backup and Restore * Easy interface to Roland's "BR Wave Converter 2" software. Select a backup folder on your hard drive and BR Explorer will automatically create a virtual drive for that folder and launch the BR Wave Converter software with the virtual drive selected. Just select your song and create your wave file.

a sound related question...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hi,am new at this,being a classical guitar player mostly,now moving towards playing the electric on stage, I need to know: which is better : the line 6 pod x3 live or the Roland VG 99 ? I don't play metal,mainly classic rock and related types of blues or funk rock and such thank you

Crate bv-120h issues

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Ive got a crate blue voodoo half stack and Ive needed new valves for a good while now, no sound at all comes out. Its been sitting around, sicne Ive been running through PAs', but I took it apart last night to try to figure a few things out. I noticed after lettingthe amp warm up, again no sound will come out, that only half of the power valves warmed up, the other two were very cold. All preamp tubes warmed up fine. Ive tried the tapping on the valves with a pencil to see if any sounds would come out of the speakers( i read this somewhere and dont know how reliable this method is). Does half the power valves warming mean that theres a wiring issue? My knowledge on tube amps is quite low haha, but I try. Odd thing is, it has always turned on, but i used to have to switch around the preamp tubes. Sound would stop being emitted from the cab and Id swap the tubes around and it would work great, that il trick doesnt work nemore.

need some wiring done

Hetjr — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

got an old guitar that needs wiring done and i really just don't feel like doing the work. i have the new pickups, tone, 2 volume knobs, and jack for it... just not the get-up-and-go to finish the job. how much would the average cost be to have a local luthier or shop tech to do it?

Bass Delay pedal

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I was looking for a delay pedal for my bass but can't seem to find one. Would I just buy a guitar delay pedal and would it work for my bass?

amp problems

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i was wondering since i just bought a new crate amp that has 2 channels does that mean that me and my fellow guitarist could play at the same time

Short Wave Radio via My Guitar!?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey All, Got a strange one for ya. For the longest time I have been getting radio signals coming in through my guitar. My setup is a Washburn run of the mill electric.Two singles and a humbucker running through a 6ft cord into my iMac and using Garage Band. I can only hear the radio when I use one of the distortion filters in Garage Band. Last night I finally heard the radio ID and it was 11500 mhz (I think) from Huntsville Alabama! I live in the northeast US. I am thinking that it has something to do with using my iMac but wanted to get some opinions first. If thats the case Ill just go get a practice amp after work. Thanks! Bill

Paintjob

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Ok...My friend gave me his Black Squier Strat (not affinity) so i could make it "badass." so i did, and he likes the way it sounds...now he wants me to paint it... He said he wants it to have a black base coat (heavy gloss finish) but he wants flames and a potleaf somewhere on the guitar... What would be the best way to go about doing this? i have a heatgun that will take teh paint off, and sandpaper out teh ass... i was wondering if yall had any tips on what kind of paint to get?

Strat Rewire Suggestions

JTC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I want to rewire my strat so that when you have the 5 way selector in the bridge position you have hum-bucking effect (also in the neck position). To be clearer I want this: Position 1 = Neck & Mid Position 2 = Neck only Position 3 = Mid Only Position 4 = Bridge Position 5 = Mid & Bridge Why? Because I primarily flip the switch to either 1 or 5. As soon as I hear any hum I move to either 4 or 2 which is primarily where I play. So I think it will be better to make the default positions at the far ends of the switch. Can anyone make me a custom wiring diagram for this?

help choosing pickups

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

hey guys, it's been something like 10 months since i've started playing , and i would like to change my stock squire strat affinity pickups... now, i've done lots of research, and i would like to know if someone can recommend a rail to my bridge position, dimarzio , duncan or something. more, i've been researching more cheaper brands, and i'm very up to buy the set of 3 Tonerider pure vintage, and a rail from GuitarFetish, lil killer. are those good choices?, someone knows brands with good quality\price relation? i really need help. :\ sorry my english , thanks.

Floyd Rose

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

First, I have an ESP LTD M-200 with a licensed floyd rose tremolo. 24 fret neck, probably 25.5 scale and I cannot get chords to sound right when I set the intonation. I've made sure that my tremolo is set level and tuned standard in E. All strings according to my tuner is in tune on every fret every string but D, A minor and C really Sund out of tune. I've looked for information on every site I can find so here I am Hoping somebody can help. Thanks.

BR600 Drum Kit Editing

JTC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

For the BR600 Users... This vid does a good job of demonstrating how to make custom drum kits. The dude is kinda creepy though...

Bridge pickup wiring... trouble

RuiOlasBrandon 's — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Well, I have a HSS strat-type guitar. 1 Vol, 5 Switch, Bridge Tone Pot, Mid Tone Pot. I don't know where to solder the 2 cables from the bridge humbucker... The rest of the guitar is working just fine, but bridge-position is killed.

Computer Headache; Vista - Stereo to Mono

The Manic Demented — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey guys, I am frustrated as shit right now, I have been crawling though the corners of my computer's settings trying to get the damn thing to output in mono. So far I have found a lot of really sensible places I would have though they would stick it, but no. I am running Vista on a Dell XPS M1330, if you have dealt with this or have ideas please help me out. I am using the output to connect my computer to my amp so I have some sort of decent sound vs. the laptop speakers. Google hasn't helped, Vistas stunning help/faq section hasn't helped. Right now I am only getting one side of a stereo output. I am plugging in an 8th in. mono adapter that attaches to the 1/4th inch. Its not a bad connection, and perhaps this shows some ignorance on my part but I would have thought the stereo would just have been physically changed to mono when the two connections for left and right contacted a single sleeve.

My killswitch doesn't work very well

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I purchased a killswitch from Radio Shack and I hate the thing. I have to really pound the thing with the heel of my hand to get it to sound like it should. The one I have pictured is the one on the guitar, (from R S). I'm wondering if anybody in the guitar biz has the foresight to make a really good switch that's responsive and is made for that type of use, or perhaps there's another brand that's better. The one in the video is also from Radio Shack as well and seems to work better. The one I have on there now, if I hold it down and wiggle it around, I can get the pickups hot again. It doesn't always work right away. It's definitely the switch, not the wiring job.

any Ways to "lock" a guitar string in place without a locking nut?

IdOntHaveAsCrEeNnAmE — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Howdy there folks. So i have a Taylor Solidbody classic. love the tone, the gain, everything about it. i was recently playing it and one of the strings broke, so i decided i would put on a new pack. I string it up fine, leave some slack, yada yada, but the way it is wrapped does not seem efficient enough. can any one give me some ways to, how-you-say, "lock" the string in place without a locking nut?

Good online resources for musicians

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey here is a link to some good online resources for guitarists. Check it out.

Tone Knobs and wiring

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I read on a harmony central review that even wiring your pickups to a tone knob can leech some tone out of them, even if the knob is not rolled down. Is that at all plausible, or should I take my guitar down to the shop to disconnect my JB? In other words, is just a volume knob without a tone knob better?

Fretless to fretted.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey guys. I made the mistake of buying a fretless bass. Is there anyway of putting frets onto it?

Does the Digitech RP350 & Cubase LE4 software bundle work just as well in Windows Vista as ...

metal001 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Windows XP and Vista, change all of the time ( and in not knowing what the latest Microsoft updates/and services packs may provide -as they always update stuff ), And thus they evolve over time. However, Windows XP Administrator, and Windows Vista ---Permissions operate differently: And in spite of "Permissions" differences, Digatech and Steinberg, have designed the software bundle to work with either version of windows. So does the software Bundle that comes with the RP350, work just as well with both versions of Windows???? Sooner or later, I want to redo My computer software build from scratch, and I have a windows Vista Premium upgrade disk, and a high speed Internet connection, so I can reinstall My Windows XP tweaked the way I want it, and updated via Microsoft-Update, install what I want ---and then update it, if i want, as compatible installation, to keep previous software, or do a clean install ---as all of My "Legacy/OEM" drivers have updates available, and as an upgrade compatible PC / Microsoft provides a bunch of the driver updates themselves, even without Me going to My PC-Manufacturer-Site for the updates. So, while still contemplating the move, as I have things to do list, including reinstall of original software configuration/and then service updates, on the list ---before I will get to the Cubase LE4 installation again ----and then Learn My way thru DAW process, ---which will take up a lot more of My time, learning how to do home-recordings, so as to not sound like Shit --------------which is Why they invented the "Audio Engineer" in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!! And now We have to 1) write, 2) record, 3) Engineer, everything ourselves!!!!!!!! -----I guess it's a good thing, that at least, for the most part, We still need girls for sex ----otherwise, they would have us always do that ourselves as well, the way things are going!!!! Metal001

advice on practice

Aaron Lee — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i've gotten pretty good at guitar. but there's some things that are too hard for me, like the unforgiven III and afterlife guitar solo's. i know practice gets you better and i practice alot. but is it more beneficial to practice the stuff i can play for a long long time until i get it. or keep working on the harder stuff that i can play. which one will help me learn the harder songs quicker?

Once again hardware VS. Software in todays market

Leif — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I know a lot of you who are in the recording industry will again fight me on this but software has become so powerful with a good ear and know how (and I emphasize know how) you can get in your home studio the same or close to the same quality you can in a large studio. There are so many ways software wise you can get around without needing 100's of thousands of dollars of hardware equipment. I know this is a mere advertising ploy but this video is true to nature. This guys set up is almost completely transportable and he could do most of the same things any of those studios could do back in the day. http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=media.maudiotv&PID=5f35def5b4107998b11119907053a313 The only problem is the learning curve..That's why I push for computers over hardware recording devices..No matter how up datable your hardware recording device is it will never compete with the expandability of working with digital files on a computer.

Pickup Wiring Diagram - Help Needed

RuiOlasBrandon 's — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

So, I have a HSS showmaster copy that I want to modify. The current setup is the following: Position 1: Bridge pickup (Humbucker) Position 2: Bridge + Mid pickups (non-humbucking) Position 3: Mid Pickup (SC) Position 4: Mid + Neck pickups (non-humbucking) Position 5: Neck Pickup (SC) I want Position 2 to be humbucking with 2 coils (mid p-up + one of the bridge coils) and Position 4 to be the same, with Bridge+Mid pickups in humbuking mode. I know how to solder and I also know the difference between serial and parallel connections, so, can you help me doing this? Thanks =)

music tech help needed!?!?!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

so im in a band im sure you dont care to hear so ill cut straight to the point our trumpet player was made to go to bording school and this is a problem not with shows because usualy are gigs are in the summer, living on a packed island in the summer and dead in the winter but we need a way for him to be apart of our practice sesions. is there anyway that we could do this online throught computers or anything?

G string

Jared — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

On both of my electrics the the G sting will not intonate, you guys have any tips for getting them to?

Digial Delay Pedal Difficulties

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey, I just got a digitech digital delay pedal second hand so no manual or anything. I'm having difficulty getting the same tone I have playing with the pedal off as playing with it on. When I switch it on it sounds a little too digitally and processed, opposed to repeating the tone that would come through the amp if the pedal were switched off. Any ideas on how to get around this? Also is there any way to get the loop effect to play back in correct time? Thanks for your time and help!!! Dan

Bright brown "lines" on my acoustic neck...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I bought a Cort MR-740FX acoustic guitar about two years ago. I bought new strings for it about two weeks ago and decided to clean it a bit, I bought D'Andrea Lemon Oil and used it sparingly on the fretboard. I then wiped it away with a dry soft piece of cloth. The dirt from my fingers was totally removed and the fretboard became very clean, but now I begin to find lots of very small bright brown lines on the fretboard, and the fretboard is losing its dark brown rosewood shade. I don't know if it's because I used the lemon oil. What is happening to my guitar's fretboard? Thanks a lot.

New Member w/ a question

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hello! I am a new member here, and so far, I totally dig it! I have been playing guitar for about 10 years, but am still learning a ton all the time! Anyways, I just had a quick question, and I figured this would be the forum to post it in. Although I have been playing for years, I never learned much about the guitar itself...the different kinds of woods, pickups, wiring, etc. and how it all affects tone and playability and so forth. I know many(most?) guitar players learn these things from other guitarists who have been around for a long time and stuff, but coming from the midwest (and mostly small towns at that), I never met anyone like that, so I haven't had the chance to learn those things, and now I would really, really love to! I am wondering if anyone here could point me in the right direction...are there books out there about this that I could read? Or maybe websites? I'm sorry if this is already addressed in another post. I haven't had much chance to dig really deep in the forums yet. Thank you to anyone who can help! -Bjorn

GADAD Open tuning (I want some)

Steve Metalman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

GADAD was the tuning I used when I first started to learn guitar because I didnt know how to tune and it sounded nice I thought I'd start a thread to get opinions on chords or Bottle neck/slide or what ever who's out there?

Help with Duncan wiring

dracoborealis — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for a combination of 2 Hot Rails, 1 Invader, 1 volume, 1 tone and a 5-way switch? Didn't find one from the website.

my web log

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

here's my web log ( http://arashk-guitar.blogspot.com ). go check it out. it may be suitable for you. it's all about music and guitar.

Replacement Pickup Details

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I am thinking of buying an EMG HZ H3 for my guitar, an ESP AX-50, but I don't know what kind of pots it has. The EMG website says that 500k pots are the optimum type, but I really don't know what to think. Any help?

Free Drum Programs?

Rary — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Me and my band have recently recorded some demos, and we used a trial version of some drum recording software. The software we used is called Addictive Drums. Obviously, I/the band do not have the 300 and something dollars to fork over for the software, We have been looking for a "free" version of this software, but to no avail. We've tried torrenting it from multiple sources and trying different free softwares but this seems to be the only good one. Does anybody know where I can get a "free" version of this software, or if there is a software that is similar for "free"?

Edge pro.

Andy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

My friend has an edge pro on his ibanez and we tried for about two hours to get it into standard tuning. He usually plays in c#. We tried altering every screw and the spings and everything we could think of. The edge pro refused to stay level with the body reguardless of what tension the springs were pulling. If anyone has an edgepro III and knows the secret to changing the tuning while the trem set up I sure would appreciate some help. My floyd works just fine and I don't have a problem setting up. ..but that damn edge pro made me want to scream.

effect

redneck — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

hey I'm looking for an effect peddle or something to give me a good distortion to my sound any advice?

Replacing frets

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

The frets on my sg are nearly worn out. I have done the best I can with the bridge and truss rod. but still have some buzzes. I'm not complaining because I have had it for a long time and I play it a lot and show it no mercy on stage. How hard is it to replace the frets ? Is this something that is fairly easy or should a tech do it?

I hope this will help someone: Freeware

Alski — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Heres a site I came across a while back. http://www.freebyte.com/music/#free_notation Try some of the free synths, theyre fun stuff.

Are there any other necks that will fit on a strat body?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I recently bought a fender standard strat and i love it. The sound is great and so is the body, but i think the neck is hideous. I like the neck on my ibanez much more and i was wondering if it is possible to put an ibanez or any other neck on a srat body. I wouldn't dare mess with my new strat but if any other necks are interchangeable please let me know. i would like to experiment with an old squier. Maybe I'm just an insane kid who doesn't appreciate the history or greatness of a strat... idk.

neck relief...

collisi0n — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i really want an arrow-straight neck. i can't seem to do it on my gibson. i turn it to the right 1/8-1/4 a turn every other day. still, the same high action remains. the bridge is already as low as it should go at a healthy level. humidity is extremely high. my fender usa strat has an action problem as well. the floyd rose is flush to the body. i do the same thing with the truss rod. i also tried using the micro tilt, but im not sure how to go about it. again, humidity is extremely high- i have no hard case for the gibson. the fender has been in with a large packet of silica for the last 36 hours. no change. what do i do?

tips for tech

pinsone — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I am trying to learn how to tech my guitars or repair them if need be what are some tips you guys have for someone who is just learning the trade

Bigsby advice

evol666 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Anyone here install a Bigsby or had a Bigsby installed on their axe? If so, what guitar was it and did you make any additional modifications like - A new bridge - A new nut - New saddles I am thinking about putting one on my SG and want to know if it is as simple as attaching the unit to my guitar.

becoming a tech

pinsone — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

im trying to learn the ropes to guitar teching what i need is maybe a good site to learn from (or a list of sites) or maybe a good book to get that can cover a lot i have a cheep old squire to practice with

New Strings

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hi there my string on my low E string broke and I thought this is perfect since Ive been wanting new and thickers strings but here are my questions/concerns 1.Can I use these on a Gibson standard SG http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ernie-Ball-2215-Nickel-Slinky-Skinny-Top-Heavy-Bottom-Electric-Guitar-Strings-100096764-i1122272.gc 2.Can I get standard E tuning or concert pitch with these?(E A D G B E)Also the only other thing I like to do is drop-D or 1/2 step down but otherwise its standard tuning 3.Anyone care to give me some input on the strings, I asked the guitar center guys and they said Ill probally need a neck adjustment and I would kinda like to get a good pair (Ive only tried DRs and Jimi hendrix experince one is too bright or was too dull too me ,but I ve begun to like slinkys ,but I would like opinions still please!:)

Can anyone help me with this technique?

Kenny Baccus — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

John 5 is an amazing guitarist. He can switch to different styles so easily while keeping his own "sound" involved. I really love his work and I often go to his tips or lessons online, but I'm having trouble with this one. In the first few seconds on the video, it seems to me that he's slapping the harmonics on the 12th fret, but I'm not 100% sure. Can anybody help identify this technique?

Parts Suppliers

TexasStyle — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I need to get to some more suppliers for amps and guitar parts. I know about tubesandmore.com and mojo, I also use a few others but want to add more to my list.

Amplitube 2, Hendrix, Metal NEED HELP

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I've already emailed support & they told me to do a registry edit. I did & it didn't work & they have no other answers or suggestions. My systems specs are: AMD Athlon 1.3 512 Sdram 80G HDD Windows XP SP2 E-MU1212m (Sound Card) Cubase LE Amplitube LE installs & works fine. Now my problem! I downloaded Amplitube 2, Jimi Hendrix, & Metal. They install fine. When I go to run Amplitube 2, & Jimi Hendrix a popup comes up & says: Registry Error Please ensure the program is installed correctly. Metal simply has that popup that asks if you want to send an error problem or not. Support told me to uninstall the programs type regedit & search for all Amplitube 2, Hendrix, & Metal & delete them shut down & reboot. This did not work! I even wrote my image back to the drive before I installed these programs & it didn't work! I'd really like to try these newer verisons to see how they are! So can someone help me get these running?

Amp

►►►◄ — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I use a Roland Microcube with a Digitech RP70 and the distortion from the pedal is too much for the small speaker to handle, no matter what I try, so I have 3 questions: 1.Does anyone know how to fix/help it? 2. Can I just get a speaker and put a chord from the line out on my amp to a speaker? 3.If I get a speaker does it have to be any kind or does it have to be "a guitar speaker" from Ibanez or something. ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED.

need help

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

hey whats up. im in a schools musical band and ive got 50w valve amp and to get the best tones it needs to be loud otherwise its dodgy although its way too loud for the Pa system that the school has and it would drown the rest of the orchestra and band, and singers, so in the back of my amp it has a plug that u can line out from and it cuts the speakers. if i still turned the amp up so it has that good sound then lined out so the speakers didnt work, would it end up with the same quality sound ?? cheers.

Digitech RP-250 question

G_Barber — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I know someone on G.com's got to be using this. I'm trying to find some audio to listen to that someone recorded using the USB connection on the unit straight into the computer. I'm thinking about buying one this weekend, but I need to hear what the quality is like first. Anyone?

Charlie Christia pickup

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I'm interested in the Charlie Christian pickup and i play an ibanez iceman i would like to know if it is possible to install one of these in my guitar whether it be additional routing ect

Pickup Wiring

Frank — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a single coil pickup (Allparts) that I want to wire to a volume pot and output jack ( no tone control). It has two wires one black the other white. What's the correct way to set this Up?

Chat Room

Anon. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I think that we should have a chat room on this site! What about you? Please comment!

Fret echoing

RyanR — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a Jackson Dinky DKMG (Floyd Rose). I just noticed the aroud 12th (being the worst) fret on the high E echoing when I fret it. I have adjusted the bridge to see if the bridge was too low but still didn't help. No other strings are doing this echoing type sound. I hope its not a real problem. Ryan

fender strat rebuild

DIgitalFender — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

got a strat squier, but want to replace single coil pickups, and possible replace the fret board as well, is this possible? Also,any suggestions of what I should replace it with?

Reverse Headstock

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Is it possible to install a neck for a left handed guitar on a right handed body to get the look of the reversed headstocks on the Fender Hendrix strats?

Drop tune, drop tension?

NaturalProgressive — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a BC Rich Mockingbird (bronze series, I think) that I strung with Not Even Slinkys and keep tuned to B-standard (B-E-A-D-Gb-B). I dig the new thunderous sound, but the string tension blows. I don't know if it's a 24.75" or 25.5" scale and have thought about getting a baritone neck to deal with the problem. Is there another way around this predicament? Also, which pickups can anyone recommend for it? I have the old Jackson M-series hummers in it which have a decent sound but they squeal and scream rather than feedback musically.

How Do ou Adjust Your Bridge?

Shawn Olsen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have been having problems with my electric. See my frets buzz and a Friend told me to adjust my bridge. I have a whammy bar on it. Any suggestions?....also how do i adjust my bridge?

Ported cab for polished tone

NaturalProgressive — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Yeah, it's me again; oh, no. 'Nuther question for those who have experience: I was just curious what the effect of porting a 4x12 guitar cabinet is. Would it eliminate "woomf"? JFYI, the cab is a Behringer BG412V.

Inner workings of the ELECTRIC GUITAR

angyfirebomb — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a good place online or onsite that can teach me how the inside of guitar works (specifically Fender guitars). I've been told that there isn't much to it, but no one will show me anything (I'm actually having an issue with my guitar where I'm not getting any sound thru the amp or on a computer and I don't have time to sit around and wait for my brother, who does know a few things about guitar repair, to fix it. I really need to know these things myself.) Thanks!!!

what's ur idea about zoom G1

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

hi i am currently using a G1 processor by zoom. i would like to know what are ur thoughts about it. it sounds well enuf for me but what about u? fill in!1

Amp Repair?

NaturalProgressive — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

In case you're wondering, yes I did just join. Anyway, I has question: I have a Randall RG150H that I bought secondhand from a guy I knew from a church I went to a few times and jammed with a little. The only thing I've had to do to it yet is replace the input jack (the piece of shit was made of plastic and the threads were stripped, so I got one made of metal) and it gave me no trouble until recently. At high volumes, the clean channel (the one I use because I have an RP200 for all my niftey sounds) likes to cut out and get all staticky. My first thought is replacing it because replacing parts is really little trouble and not as daunting as it seems, but I haven't been able to find a 100K ohm audio taper pot with a push-pull switch anywhere. Any place I can get one or at least cure the problem with the existing unit? Any suggestions?

Neck replacement

guitarcozmo — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

A question on neck replacement. The someone on another forum I frequent indicated that he'd like to replace the 21 fret neck on his Fender Strat with a 24 fret neck. What specific things would he have to check on with the new neck to ensure its compatibility with the body he's putting it on. Can you just grab any old 24-fret Strat neck and throw it on or are there limitations you have to keep in mind?

Truss Rod. How does it work?

RuiOlasBrandon 's — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

What does it really make, how to work with it and how to know if my guitar has a truss rod, after all. Help will be appreciated. ;-)

Truss rod question

evol666 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I am getting some conflicting information, so I am throwing the question out to you cats. When adjusting the truss rod, do you loosen the strings or leave the guitar tuned up? btw this is for my Taylor 110.

How can the "action" of a guitar suck?

RuiOlasBrandon 's — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

ACTION = Height of the strings from the guitar body/fretboard. Imagine a cheap electric guitar. Why do you say "The action sucks!" if the action can be adjusted to a lower position in all guitars? (except acoustic and classic)

guitar set ups

Djhi — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

hay guys just wondering if anyone got any good links on setting up a guitar manly just strats, video would be cool , i usally send them off to my guitar tech but want to lern how to get the fucking awsome playablity that he gets out of my guitars myself.. thanks guys

Baking Soda and super glue.

GoldenEye005 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

So I discovered and ingenious way to fix/adjust nuts and fix countless other things! Take super glue...preferably the gel kind(bc it hold in place better) and common household baking soda(This can be found in your refrigerator.) 1. Apply the super glue to the nut groove you want to raise. 2. dump a small amount of baking soda onto the super glue. the resulting chemical reaction will turn the mixture in to a super had plastic-like substance. Then take a very thin jewelers file and file the nut groove down to the proper height and Viola! you've made bone mold...be careful not to hold onto the substance as it is hardening bc it gets quite hot. It should only take 1 to 2 minutes for the mixture to harden completely. With liquid super glue it hardens almost instantaneously and gets extremely hot due to the quickness of the reaction. Be very careful because there is a real possibility that you could mess up your guitar nut. So unless you are very skilled with you hands or have a replacement nut. I'd suggest that this technique be use by experienced guitarist ONLY! Other than just guitar nuts it can adhere cloth together, fill in crack in gun handles, and probably even adhere metal together.

Electric guitar adjustments

elitecarpenter — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I was reading some blogs, all very valuable thanks, and while reading about guitar adjustments (ibzRG) I know I have never had my fender adjusted properly, not that I can tell, and not even sure I am re stringing properly ( a friend showed me but how do I know?) And although I consider myself a great carpenter, I really dont want to ruin a 700$ guitar. Good Idea to have a shop do it?...or maybe since I am considering lessons I can be shown that during them? and whats the deal?...how does it make it better?

ARSE!!!

Zak — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

My little pocket-sized Vox amp just literally exploded while I was playing. What happened?

Practicing

MaidenMission — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I've been playing for a while now and I'm having trouble with my right hand, I'm a left- hander but I play right-handed guitar, I wouldn't consider myself horrible but not even close to being good either, but then again every guitarist is trying to just improve themselves unless they want to be an arrogant prick and say they are completely better than everyone. Anyways, I just need a way to be able to speed up my right hand, I can economy pick and I can sweep arpeggio with my left hand, just not really with my right; and as we all know you need both to be able to sweep lol I practice most of my strum motion on triplets because its my favorite sound to come out of an instrument and two of my favorite bands based a lot of their playing off of the galloping triplet feel I just need to be able to continue getting better at a faster rate anything would be greatly appreciated!

Could this be error?

dianna — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

So as you all probably know, I really dig the bass. Lately, I've been doing a lot of sliding up & down the neck, and I'm thinking in the future I'm gonna have to go fretless because I love the smoothness of a fretless neck. In the meantime, It seems like the frets on my bass are really out there and tearing my fingers up. Would it be bad to file my frets down? And what would I use to do such a thing? Sandpaper? Steel wool? In general, I'm pretty scared to do major work on my instruments, but I need to break past that fear if I ever want to get into building...so, any advice G.com?

Tool kit

Hippieway — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I'm assembling a tool kit to keep in my guitar room and am wondering about the truss rod. Are there differences in truss rods, are they all adjustable with an Allen wrench, what size. And of course any tools that anyone wants to suggest for this tool kit that I may have overlooked. I won't list what I got so far so any suggestions are open. The one thing I do know is that it easy to miss a common tool until you need it. So here is an empty box, lets fill it with tools to work on and keep that Axe in shape.

Humbucker Feedback

Joe — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I think my humbuckers are broken, dont humbuckers have two pickups to cancel out feedback? Well, when i use my single coils, they buzz a little, nothing to bad, but when i switch to my humbuckers, theres even more buzzing. It still picks up the sound but gets alot of feedback. Is there a simple way to fix this that I could do it on my own or should I go to the shop?

ohms ???

inablackout — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Ok guys, I've asked this before, and I don't think I got a clear enough explanation that time. I have an empty 4x12 cab, I am looking at 4 12inch eminence 150 watt 8 ohm speakers. If running them in series IE: jumper wires from one speaker to the next, what would the ohms of the cab be and what would the handling be.

technical problems with old les paul gibson

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey everyone, My B and E strings are in tune together in the lower part of the guitar, but when I go higher up the neck, the strings are not in tune together and have a half step more of a difference(I think the E string is the one that isn't going higher in pitch in the way it should be). what's causing this problem? are the frets worn down, or does the neck need to be straightened? please reply on this forum, thanks :) Myles

Posting Vids

JTC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Posting Vids; How do you do it or what's the best way? I have a digital camera than can take about 60 seconds and formats the video in .MOV format. Is it possible to use this? Do webcams work good enough or is the video too choppy? Do you have to use a video camera and then convert to mpeg or something? Never done it and I want to know how. Thanks.

Amp Issues Please help

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hey everyone, I got a problem I hope someone on here has the answer to. I have an old amp head, a Sunn Sentura II to be exact. Now my problem is that the thing sounds like it has a heart beat. Its really odd. Its a tube head, could the tubes be the problem? Any ideas would be helpfull.

strip out a pickguard screw?? have no fear!

SATAN — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i am bored, so i thought ofd a random and pretty cool trick i use to fix the problem of stripped out screw holes in wood..... a toothpick. its as simple as that. take a regular old toothpick, stick it into the stripped out hole, brek it off so it is even with the top of the wood, and put the screw back in...... very cool! and it is pretty much permenant!

Wood care

Hippieway — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I got a bottle of guitar polish, great. but what should I be using to care for my guitars they have different finishes and what about the rosewood fret boards. also there is some hardware on my guitars some gold plated some chrome and don't forget I wouldn't want to gunk up the tuners. I know Old English furniture polish is cheaper that a bottle guitar polish but what is the best way to care for some wood I would like to see last longer than I will.

Muddy Tone...

Ian Spaid — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a problem... My brother and I have the same guitars. The only difference is my neck pickup. His sounds great. Mine sounds like I'm playing it under water, lol. It sounds like the tone knob is on 0 when it's on 10. And, when it's on 0, it sounds like I'm playing a bass. Maybe a new pot? Or cap? I just want a little advice before I go buying shit that i don't need. Thanks.

Changing Pick-ups. How?

RuiOlasBrandon 's — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

It seems a bit idiot but I want to know how to change pick-ups. I removed the 2 screws from my neck pick-up and it got kinda released but it doesn't come out. Am I doing it well? I never changed anything (except strings) on my electric and I'm a bit concerned about it. Any help would be appreciable. Thanks.

Changing guage question

MikeyFATS — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I just bought a new esp viper standard, set up with 9's or 10's. I use ernie ball .12-.56's and my guitar is tuned to Drop Bb. I didn't adjust the action on it when I jumped from .10's to .12 because I was tuning a step and a half lower than I was when I was using .10's. I never had any issues with my action, tone, or intonation and the neck never bowed, so when I jump up to 12's with my new viper, should I actually set it up properly or can I get away with it again because of how low it's tuned.

what is it called, and where do you get the tool for tightening the input jack nut

zenguitar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I remember reading in some guitar repair guide that there is a special tool designed specifically for tightening the input jack nut. I would really like to acquire one. Does anyone know what it is called, and by chance where you can purchase one? As you probably know, if you try to tighten the nut on the input jack generally you have problems with the jack falling inside the instrument cavity, or while you are trying to tighten the nut, the jack spins, which will cause the wiring inside to twist till it breaks..... this special tool presumably holds the jack in place, while you tighten the nut....

Baritone, or Set Up My Standard?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I cant decide on which of the two I should do. I currently have an LTD-M1000 deluxe set up to Standard with a stock 25.5" neck. I'm debating on either setting this guitar up to B or purchasing an LTD VB-400 (Viper Baritone). The viper has a 27" neck on it, not too much longer than the M's. My main concern is if I'm going to have problems with intonation and such if i set up the shorter neck to B or will i even be able to notice it? Anyone care to leave comments and suggestions please do so and why you think so. Thanks!

Is This Pickup Setup Possible?

Mullet Grinder — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a Ibanez RG 350DX, Its got a hum-bucker, single, hum-bucker setup. I wanna throw some emg all white 81/85s on it, and for the single coil I was wondering if I could replace it with a white DiMarzio HotRail. Does any body know if this would work with the 81/85s ? Also is there any thing else I should use that would work better than the HotRail with the EMGs? Im into anything with core at the end (Grindcore, Metalcore, Hardcore, etc.) if that makes a difference in what pickup i should use for the single coil, im deffinitly gettin the EMGs thow.

I Cant Get My Guitar To Tune Right (PLEASE HELP!!!!!)

Mullet Grinder — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a Ibanez RG350 DX, I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky Strings and I usually play in drop B. This is also the first time I have changed the strings since I got the guitar. I just cannot get the guitar to tune to drop B. The bridge either starts to float to high (by the way it is a edge 3 tremolo bridge), or the strings are to low and touch against the frets closest to the pickups. I have used two different tuners and they were both fine. I haven't changed anything to the stock adjustments on the tension springs for the bridge or anything like that. And I have had it in drop B before just fine. I am also pretty sure the neck isn't bowed. Can any body help me at all?

No Reverb

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a Peavey Classic 50 combo amp. When I turn up the reverb, it does not work. If I shake the amp, it makes the thundering spring reverb sound but it does not ad reverb to the signal from the guitar. Any suggestions on what may be wrong.

Good to know

Richey — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Tech Tip - Avoiding Hum By Dennis Kambury The prime reason for hum is the ground loop, caused when the sound system has two or more different ground points. This is easy to do if, for example, you plug your guitarist's amp into the onstage socket, and your mixer into the socket at the back of the house. These separate points will have different electrical potentials, causing electrical current to flow. The result is easy to hear, but how do you fix the problem? The best solution is to ensure that all AC power is supplied from one single circuit from the power mains. If that's not enough juice, at least make sure that all your circuits come from the same panel with the same ground. The ground loop can also be broken by the use of a ground lift adapter, but it's not a very good idea, as this method is potentially fatal -- breaking the ground means that the signal could potentially find its way to earth directly through YOU! Poor or damaged cables can also be a source of problems as hum can be picked up from light fixtures, motors, and other common electrical sources. Avoid cheap molded-head connectors, and take time between gigs to check your cables for good solder joints, clean connectors, and undamaged shielding. There is another cable-based source of hum induced from power cabling into signal cabling. Briefly, when the two types of cables are running parallel, the AC signal can be picked up by the signal cable, amplified, and broadcast for the world to hear! Keep your power and signal cables well separated; and, if they must cross, always cross them at right angles to each other.

how to paint a guitar

lucas. — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

can you just put masking tape over the pickups and stuff and take off the neck and strings? or do u have to sand the finish and take out all the electronics? wut do u paint it with can u just use spray paint?(im 11 i dont have much money)

How to remove spray paint from my DSL 100 head

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Hi everyone, I have just picked up a DSL 100 Marshall and a previous owner has tried to spray paint a stencil on top. This attemt failed and a big gold blob is the result. I was wondering if anyone new of a way to remove this paint without damaging the covering/tolex of the head? thanks

John Page "001"

Captain Fantastic — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

John Page, co-founder of the Fender Custom Shop, is under the microscope in this very cool photo diary of the building of his first guitar that bears his name. Click the link now...you click it!

changing bridge

inablackout — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have a guitar thats string-thru with a tunamatic. I want to change the fixedbridge and put something more substantial. Any recomendations? with out having to route it if possible

Strap Screws

The Muzzler — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

The problem I got with my guitar involves the Screws that hold the strap onto the guitar. It's not that my strap slips off when I play, it's mostly that the upper strap screws (not the one by the input jack, the other one) starts to unscrew out of the body when I move around. I basically tighten it back up with a little screwdriver at least once during every show/practice. I think the screw hole is getting a little worn out and a tad bigger. What is the remedy to this problem? Should I fill the hole up with a little glue or get new strap screws or does it have to be a serious guitar fixing kinda thing?

Help with PRS electronics set up

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I've been building a new guitar using Paul Reed Smith electronics. I have a Dragon Bass and an HFS Treble pickup (both with the black, red, white, and bare wires). I have the newer 5-way rotary pickup selector switch used on the Custom 22 and Custom 24 PRS's, and I have a PRS volume and PRS tone pot. All of these parts were ordered and can be found at http://www.gtrheaven.com/accessories/parts_PRS.asp?ar=1&m=PART-PRS&t=PRS+Guitar+Parts+and+Accessories. Does anyone know what wires are grounded, and what wires I should solder to what? The diagrams that PRS sends with all of their parts aren't that great and are somewhat confusing. I can't seem to find a good wiring diagram as to which wires go where (which do you solder to the left, right, or middle piece on the tone and volume pots and what gets soldered together to be grounded?) Also, in the picture on the gtrheaven.com site, the tone pot has a capacitor looking thingy that is attaching the right and middle pieces, but that is on my volume pot. Does anyone know if mine were switched on me?

You will probably find this useful

Richey — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Found this while I was trying to find out what happened to Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine: http://books.google.com/books?id=JfnYMsXdAK0C&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=guitar+for+the+practicing+musician+magazine&source=web&ots=rvo8ZNIGaL&sig=uHFN1ofXkbq4E4zc3BR1Wz0CQ14#PPP1,M1

Additional tone

Damarae — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

whats the best way to increase your tone on you guitar without buying a new guitar or amp?

Help,HOW TO SET GUITAR BRIDGE

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

HELP,I attempted to adjust the bridge(round hieght adjusters,for bridge)as the guitar seemed to fight me,"new out of the box),i know i should take it to have it set up,and action set,,,but can anyone tell me,,explain,how i can achieve good sound,adjusting the bridge,such as measurements"what it should be

How to make home-made effects

RuiOlasBrandon 's — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

How to make them without having to buy anything? What matterials should I use? How much longer does it take??

THe screws of the neck

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Helo fellow guitarists , i have been playing for about a year. but now the screws at the top of my neck (as you can see on the image i have posted)are getting my nerves. you have to screw it hard to make it stuck, but now i screw for a wile and it get's harder and harder , and suddenly its loose again. its the screw thats attaching the e and a strings. ive tried to put the screw in the two other holes , works perfect. im quite wure its something in the hole thats broke. what to do about it do i have to replace the whole thing or what ?

Fender Cyber programming

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I am enjoying the software Amplitude Jimi Hendrix and would enjoy finding the same programming in my Cyber Amp.

drum roll

charles — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i found this video its little funny, but the guitarist dose a drum roll with his guitar, i think. he dose it about a 58 seconds into the video. so if you could let me know how he does or if he is doing it, thanks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rIJJp6aMlA

I want to make my own guitar...

Captain Kelly — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i'd like to make my own guitar, right, and want people opinions on my plans, cos when i ask my friends they give me blank looks as soon as 'pickups' are mentioned... so. as ive only been playing three months, and am poor x], i plan to take the electronics out of my current guitar (a encore strat copy) and put them in this new one. anyway... the questions: 1. would it be wise to buy a humbucker pickup and combine it into my current ones to get a better sound? 2. im not making the neck as it would be too much work and money, but is it advisable to make my own headstock, and join it on at the second fret so it can join onto the trussrod or not? 3. what's the best material to make it out of? im thinking MDF purely for its density and price, as i will be painting it 4. and finally, is spraypaint advisable? i'm going to paint it rainbow colours, so... it 'd need a lot. thanks for any help guys :D

Getting original paint back

Sullivancountychops — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I just got a hold of a 1957 Silvertone U1. The original paint is still on it but underneath the newer paint job from the previous owner. I was told it was possible to get the original paint back to the surface and was told to try some alcohol on the back first to see what happens. Has anyone else tried this or recommend this at all? Would certainly love to get this thing back to original if possible. If I have to, will paint it a period color. Thanks in advance!

Amp Died Need Help

josh simmons — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I own a 100w Peavy Ranger 2x12 Amplifier. I have had it for about two years now and up until now it worked fine. I was at a gig and it quit working on me and I am lost on how to fix it. So... let me tell you what I know. It is a two channel amp (one for clean, the other for dirty) Channel one (clean) works fine but has very little volume. Channel two will work at a low volume occasionally for a few minutes, or sometimes not at all. When it decides not to work the only noises i can get out of it are a constant buzz and a popping sound when I hit a note. I have changed all of the tubes out, but no effect... I am an electronics graduate so working on the amp should be no problem but do not have a schematic for this amp so I have no clue where to start. Any Clue???

Whammy Bar Rumor

JeremyC — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

One of my friends told me if I use a Whammy bar my bridge will move out of place and never stay in tune again. Is this true, because I've known plenty of people with nice guitars who use whammy bars all the time.

Help Needed: Building a guitar... ish.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I am currently studying my A Levels and I take technology. Next year I have decided to make a musical instrument. My teacher said that I can't make a traditional guitar as there is not a market for them as everyone makes them. He said after this that I could experiment, and make a mix of a few instruments and make something original. I have decided to make something which is a bit of a mix between an electric guitar and a mandolin, mixed with some Chinese traditional instruments. I was planning on either having 8 or 10 strings. I wondered if I could have any help on tuning ideas? I could copy a guitar and go one string either way for 8 string: BEADGBea but I don't know if this would be good. Any help would be really helpful. Also i wondered what you feel would be the most used part of the guitar for you, in case I have a smaller range. Thank you in advance for the help.

You're best parts source...

Sullivancountychops — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Ok, hoping to find some good sources for parts, tools etc., etc. I figured this would be the place to post this after all, if you're using some of the tech tips, then you're possibly using tools or getting supplies, depending on what you're doing. Myself, I have a few sources for parts and tools that I like to purchase from. Maybe you have a better or less inexpensive source you might like to share? My little list: http://www.stewmac.com/ http://store.guitarfetish.com/ http://www.guitarheads.net/ I also have had good luck on ebay as well (Knock on wood) as long as the seller has decent feedback. Would like to hear about other places if anyone cares to divulge their source LOL. Stay safe, Mike

floyd question

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i received a guitar for christmas with a floyd. the first string change went flawlessly and ever since they have been a pain in the butt. whenever i put the new string in the saddle and start to tighten the locking screw the string wants to work its way to the side and you probably know it pops out. anyone tell me whats going on?

Locking tuners for Gibson

Sullivancountychops — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

The tuners on my 1981 Gibson Sonex will need to be replaced soon. I really love the Sperzel locking tuners on my Brian Moore i2 and was wondering if 1:) Anyone knows the specs on the size of the holes in the headstock and 2:) does anyone know if Sperzel makes tuners for Gibson or another company that makes decent locking tuners? Thanks in advance! Stay safe, Mike

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Cut Out, What Now?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I was just playing some "Ventilator Blues". Suddenly my amp, which is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, started cutting out. I thought it might be a cable pulled loose, but then my amp shut itself off. haven't replaced the tubes since I bought the amp used a couple years ago with replacement (Groove Tubes) in it. However, I just opened up the back of the amp to get a better look at the tubes and none of them are filled white, like my friend Daniel said dead tubes do. Do you guys think it might be the tubes still, or is the problem something bigger? Thank you in advance for your help. -Christopher Murray

Seasons Change

Captain Fantastic — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I'm so excited for summer for everything it brings, especially after another brutal New England winter. But I have to say that the humidity that rides shotgun with summer has already wrought havoc on my various necks. Looks like I'll be spending an afternoon inside setting all of these things up.

SG Colours

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have 4 SG bodies in various conditions I would like to restore them to their former glory, anyone any idea what I use to get the same (cherry) colour ?

John5 in the Fender shop

Zombre — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Damn cool, check this vid out. Awesome.

Floyd Rose nut buzz

Fred Pierz — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I have an old Krammer Barretta with a Floyd Rose locking tremolo and the high E string has developed a buzz and dulling of the string vibration only when played open. If I play on any of the frets, the buzz is gone so it's obviously the nut. If I remove the clamp on the first two strings the buzz is also still there. It was playing fine but when I put a new set of strings on it the buzz started. I've replaced the string several times since then and the buzz is still there. I've tried cleaning out the groove in the nut and the back of the clamp, wrapping the string farther down on the tinning peg (a trick that works with my Tele), and using heavier gauge strings (.010 instead of .009). But, so far no luck. I was hopping somebody else had a problem like this and was able to solve it. I really like playing this guitar, but it's a bit limiting not being able to play a open E. I'd appreciate any suggestions anybody has. Later, Fred

Danelectro chorus

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

I just bought a danelectro chorus pedal how do i set it up

What is the best recording software

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

i personally use audacity with xp, but what does everyone else use (audacity is free, if you're wondering)

DIY fix tip, v.2

Captain Fantastic — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

If you have a few or many guitars in your personal palette, or if your main guitar gets placed in its stand for a week or so, you might find that you get some annoying static when you turn your volume or tone pots (potentiometers) up and down and move your pickup selector to and fro. Before we continue, a word from our sponsor... http://sound.westhost.com/pots.htm So there's a spray made by CAIG that you apply directly to the pot or toggle switch that provides greater connectivity and restores your guitars' inner workings to their original condition. Quick fix for ten bucks!

DIY fix tip, v.1

Captain Fantastic — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Many practicing musicians can look back at their formidable youths and recall a tantrum or two. Throwing their instruments to the ground in metronome infused frustration or standing their guitars on end and letting them go to add insult to the impending damage. "I'll show you", I'd say. But aside from a lack patience in the woodshed as adolescents, sometimes things just happen. One of those things, strap buttons letting go, just pulling out of the wood, but you catch it in the knick of time and quickly vow that such a close call won't happen again... 1. Remove the offending strap button and screw from their domicile in the body of the guitar. 2. Insert a toothpick into the hole and cleanly break away the excess toothpick (if the hole has grown like a goiter of neglect, use a dowel). 3. Fill the hole 1/2 way with saw dust and wood glue 4. While the mixture is still wet, insert the portion of toothpick into the hole and let it cure for a few hours to ensure hardness. 5. Drill a pilot hole, slightly smaller in diameter than the strap button screw, into the recently filled area where the toothpick now resides. 6. Screw your strap button back into place and revel in your new found anti-gravity confidence. What else have you cats done that has saved you a few bucks from the grasp of your local guitar techs?

Can You Get Rid of That Hum?

Captain Fantastic — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:23:42 +0100

Playing clubs still kids? Yeah man, many of us have, or are currently, circling the club circuit in our locale fighting the uphill, frustrating battle with 60 cycle hum. Our chance at victory, speculative at best...unless

You use batteries in all of your stomp boxes, play a guitar with hum cancelling pickups like a Les Paul or Paul Reed Smith, perhaps an Ibanez with Duncan Trembuckers? I was in the habit of bringing my '62 Telecaster to all of my rock engagements, complete with a hotrodded Twin� (you like that?), and a pedal board from the noisiest part of Hades. Then I started using my classic T Tom Anderson with hum cancelling single coil pickups and batteries in the boxes and it took care of a great deal of noise. Whatever, I probably just Q-tipped my ears on the nights when the hum was like an angry hive. Mmmm, ear wax.