| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| Strat Wiring | 7/21/2008 |
Q: Rico - help me. I have an old strat that somebody routered out for a double (side by side) ...
A: Bruce, If you are using humbuckers, the pot will usually be 500k, if you are using single-coils, ...
|
| Pickguard | 7/20/2008 |
Q: I am in the process of building a guitar. I will need to custom make my pickguard to fit what i am ...
A: Metal will not interfere with the pickups, nor will plexiglass or acrylic. You can make your ...
|
| tremolo adjustment | 7/12/2008 |
Q: .....I recently purchased an American Strat and I am having trouble keeping it in tune when I use ...
A: If you are talking about the two large screws that are holding your tremolo plate down, those screws ...
|
| steinberger bass repair | 7/3/2008 |
Q: I have a 1988 Steinberger bass that needs new jaw claws in the bottom end bridge. Do I need to send ...
A: Good ol' Steinberger. They made some quality basses in the 80's and they seemed indestructible. But ...
|
| Paint Chips On Squire | 7/1/2008 |
Q: I have a Squire Strat(sunburst) which has a few minor chips in it. I want to fix it myself keeping ...
A: The humidity shouldn't be much of a problem. Those Squire Strats are coated with a very thick finish ...
|
| edge 3 replacement | 6/13/2008 |
Q: hey i was looking to buy the ibanez xiphos xpt700.... but i dont like the edge 3 bridge... in my few ...
A: I'm not a fan of the Edge 3 bridge either, but I have a good friend who swears by them. Different ...
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| the better guitar | 6/12/2008 |
Q: I have been playing guitar for about 3 years and I am going to buy either a fender stage/showmaster ...
A: Well, those are both good guitars, but they are a little different from each other as far as feel ...
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| tuning on my les paul | 6/9/2008 |
Q: I have an Epiphone les paul standard and I just hate the tuning because it doesn't last nearly as ...
A: John, I have found that the GREAT majority of tuning problems, ESPECIALLY on a Les Paul-style ...
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| PING NOISE ON HIGH E STRING | 5/31/2008 |
Q: I have a Peavey Wolfgang archtop with a trem system. When the high E string is plucked in the ...
A: If it is making the sound while open and not fretted, chances are it's your nut. Filing a nut is ...
|
| Fender Mustang Intonation | 5/30/2008 |
Q: Rico, I have an original early 70's competition Mustang that I love the tone of, but it just won't ...
A: This is indeed an uncommon problem. What is much more common is for a string to go flat as you play. ...
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| Fender Mustang Intonation | 5/29/2008 |
Q: Rico, I have an original early 70's competition Mustang that I love the tone of, but it just won't ...
A: The subject line of your email implies something different than the question. Are you saying the ...
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| Squier Strat not working | 5/27/2008 |
Q: I just purchased a second hand Squier Strat that was working (with amp). I adjusted the bridge, ...
A: No need to apologize. This is what we are here for. Ok, so if it's intermittent, that changes ...
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| Squier Strat not working | 5/26/2008 |
Q: I just purchased a second hand Squier Strat that was working (with amp). I adjusted the bridge, ...
A: The most honest answer I can give you is that you need to take this guitar to a qualified technician ...
|
| What pedal goes where? | 5/24/2008 |
Q: These are my pedals what pedal goes where? I looking for a good solid rock sound with great tone and ...
A: Nice pedals! This is a most excellent question and I have had the same one before. The bad answer: ...
|
| BASS GUITAR BEEFING | 5/22/2008 |
Q: I HAVE AN ESP LTD 6 STRING BASS. THE OUTPUT LEVEL IS QUITE ABIT WEAKER THAN MY OTHER BASSES. I DONT ...
A: No, changing the volume pot in your bass will not change the volume level. The volume pot only ...
|
| Amp Equiptment | 5/13/2008 |
Q: not sure if you remember but I emailed a few weeks ago regarding gibson v. fender. I have just ...
A: Yes, I remember you. Nice to hear from you again. So you bought the Fender USA? That's a great ...
|
| guitar amp | 5/12/2008 |
Q: Rico,first thank you for a previous answer to a question.Todays question,I have a peavey 110 envoy ...
A: Perry, If you are just playing at home, your Fender acoustic doesn't need an amp at all. It has a ...
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| Guitar Damage | 5/8/2008 |
Q: i bought this guitar online about 5 months ago but it was damaged in the mail it works perfect but ...
A: OUCH! The mail service refused to pay for it? Or it wasn't insured? Whatever the case, yeah it can ...
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| help needed for buying a fender strat | 5/6/2008 |
Q: i'm going to buy a fender strat around range below 1200$. my main style is blues and progressive ...
A: Hossein, Eric Clapton has played a lot of different guitars throughout the years. Fender has made a ...
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| Guitar Customization | 5/6/2008 |
Q: I am looking at a cheap GB-SG guitar by Corsin on ebay. I want a cheap guitar but with good quality ...
A: Well, it doesn't have the same body, nor the same neck. It also doesn't have the same fretboard, ...
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| Guitar Customization | 5/4/2008 |
Q: I am looking at a cheap GB-SG guitar by Corsin on ebay. I want a cheap guitar but with good quality ...
A: That guitar already has two volume and two tone knobs. There is no such thing as three tone knobs ...
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| Gibson Electric Guitar | 5/1/2008 |
Q: I have around £2000 (4000dollars) to buy an electric guitar. Im after a Gibson Les Paul or ES335. ...
A: James, The models are all pretty similar in sound, with a few variations. The other differences are ...
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| Gibson Electric Guitar | 5/1/2008 |
Q: I have around £2000 (4000dollars) to buy an electric guitar. Im after a Gibson Les Paul or ES335. ...
A: With £2000, you can certainly buy a very nice guitar. Are you dead set on Gibson? I own a Gibson ...
|
| feedback | 4/28/2008 |
Q: I was wondering what the best way to get feedback from a single coil gutar would be. I've got a ...
A: John, Interesting question. The key to feedback is volume, plain and simple. The main reason ...
|
| Ibanez arc 300 controls | 4/27/2008 |
Q: Just acquired this guitar.Long time acoustic player,but playing catch up on switches and knobs?I ...
A: The knobs on your guitar are two volume, one tone. They are in the same position as your pickups. ...
|
| 3rd String Buzzing Problem | 4/27/2008 |
Q: Hey man, first off, I’ve only been playing for a couple of years, so sorry for a “novice” type of ...
A: Well, it sounds to me like your G string is making bad contact at either the nut or the bridge. ...
|
| Fender Squire Broken Whammy | 4/23/2008 |
Q: My girl bought me a Squire from a local pawn shop. I wasn't expecting her to go all out so that was ...
A: If that bar just drops in and falls out, I would bet a million dollars it's the wrong bar. A whammy ...
|
| Fender Strat - Sustainer mod | 4/21/2008 |
Q: I have seen a few sustainer kits about and some have a single coil size driver pickup. Would it be ...
A: Joe, To my knowledge, those sustainer kits are based on replacing one of your pickups (your neck ...
|
| Vox Valvetronix amps | 4/21/2008 |
Q: I am interested in the Valvetronix line of amps. For practice/home use would the 15W AD15VT be more ...
A: Jeff, I apologize. I answered this question the day you asked it, but for some reason, All Experts ...
|
| about frets | 4/20/2008 |
Q: i use ibanez RGT42.it's neck is fixed.bridge set up,intonation every thing was alright.but now in ...
A: There are several reasons why a guitar can start buzzing like that, but it sounds like you have worn ...
|
| PUPs sound issues on Epiphone LP | 4/20/2008 |
Q: Rico, I just bought a mint Epi LP off ebay. It's a 2005 model but it looks as if it was never used. ...
A: When you are standing with the guitar, the switch positions should be as follows: Up: "rhythm" ...
|
| Guitar buzz when I touch any metal or the strings? | 4/16/2008 |
Q: Hey mate, I'm a bit new to electric guitars, so sorry for the possibly novice question... I bought ...
A: Mitch, Fender Squiers are already kinda buzzy if they have the single coil pickups, but usually it ...
|
| Tremolo bar on Fender Mustang | 4/14/2008 |
Q: I recently purchased a Fender Mustang thats made in Japan.The tremolo bar isnt threaded and just ...
A: I imagine your Mustang has the dynamic tremolo, which seems to be the most common. The arm is held ...
|
| changing toggle switch | 4/10/2008 |
Q: My bridge pickup will not work together with the neck p/u when the toggle is centered but, will work ...
A: Sounds like you need a new switch. You didn't say what kind of guitar it is, but Steward McDonald ...
|
| Rattle Strat | 4/1/2008 |
Q: I think it is the strings hitting the fret metal things. I was wondering if that is normal or if i ...
A: Yuhta, Some fret buzz is acceptable, but it really depends on a lot of factors, including your ...
|
| Building a guitar | 3/26/2008 |
Q: How hard would it be to build my own solid body electric?
A: Daniel, That's a pretty open ended question, but let's take a look. If you have experience in ...
|
| Changing the pickups on my Mexican strat.. | 3/21/2008 |
Q: last night I asked you about the green wire on my new Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups...and where ...
A: Donald, No, the MIM Strats are not outfitted with the s1. Those are exclusive to the American ...
|
| changing pickups in my mex strat | 3/21/2008 |
Q: You just responded to my question...I'm trying to put in the Fender Samarium cobalt noisesless ...
A: Those are very nice pickups. If you are not using the s1 switching system, the green wire will be ...
|
| electric guitar control lever? | 3/18/2008 |
Q: When you switch the lever back an forth how do you know what pick-up is on or off
A: The simplest way to find out is plug into the amp and turn all your volume knobs on the guitar up ...
|
| temperatures | 3/17/2008 |
Q: Rico, I have a Steinberger bass guitar. I have had it stored in a storage here in Denver, CO where ...
A: Nice bass and built like a tank. Freezing an instrument isn't the best thing you can do for it, but ...
|
| Fret Buzz | 3/14/2008 |
Q: I just a bought an Epiphone Special off of Ebay. It was advertised as new. When I took it out of the ...
A: Sometimes pickup switches can get a little dirty inside and make some scratchy noises when you ...
|
| Fret Buzz | 3/14/2008 |
Q: I just a bought an Epiphone Special off of Ebay. It was advertised as new. When I took it out of the ...
A: Well, I hate to be so vague, but buzz like that can be caused by many different things which can ...
|
| Teisco Del Ray ET-200 wiring | 3/12/2008 |
Q: I just aquired the ET-200 in very good condition but it is missing one of the pots and the input ...
A: Ron, Ah, the infamous Teisco Del Rey. I started on one of those guitars plugged into my sister's ...
|
| Duckbucker wiring | 3/4/2008 |
Q: I have recently bought what I was told is a seymour duncan duckbucker, however it has only 3 wires a ...
A: Pete, Seymour Duncan's site has extensive wiring diagrams. Go to this site and put in your ...
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| tremolo for american strat | 3/3/2008 |
Q: about 4 years ago I bought an american strat (one of the limited edition with noiseless pick-ups) ...
A: If you bought it new, take it to the store you bought it at and they should be able to acquire ...
|
| Buzzing | 3/3/2008 |
Q: Okay, so I just bought a 12-year-old used electric guitar, sight unseen off eBay, probably not the ...
A: Jacob, Never fear, all is fixable, but you WILL have to open the guitar up. That kind of buzzing ...
|
| SG long vibrato | 3/1/2008 |
Q: i would like to put a long vibrato unit on my SG guitar. the problem is im left handed and im ...
A: Martin, I haven't seen any plans to build a vibrato, but I'm sure they exist. Brian May and his ...
|
| Painting Guitar | 2/28/2008 |
Q: I was looking through some of your past answers and you advised someone to take their guitar to a ...
A: Unfortunately, a guitar that's been spray painted will always look spray painted. It has to do with ...
|
| Painting Guitar | 2/28/2008 |
Q: I was looking through some of your past answers and you advised someone to take their guitar to a ...
A: Yes, an auto body finish isn't great for vintage guitars or extremely expensive models because it's ...
|
| Guitar electronics | 2/27/2008 |
Q: I am new to electric guitars and have some novice questions. How sensitive are guitar electronics ...
A: I'm glad you've asked these questions. A lot of people won't ask the most basic questions and then ...
|
| string buzz | 2/27/2008 |
Q: I just got a squier vinatage modified electric strat. when i brought it home and played it, it has a ...
A: There are so many factors that can cause a buzz like that. Unless you are experienced at analyzing a ...
|
| Pickup noise. | 2/19/2008 |
Q: I've just replaced the pups in my lefty Mex Strat with Vintage Vibe pickups. I'm getting a lot of ...
A: Terry, Welcome to the world of 60 cycle hum. It's driven many a Strat user to near suicide. Of ...
|
| Question About Feedback | 2/17/2008 |
Q: I just recently purchased an S101 EHL24 and I have had some trouble with having a lot of feedback. ...
A: Hollow body guitars sure look cool, but they are infamous for feeding back. And yes, people stuff ...
|
| Static Pop | 2/15/2008 |
Q: I acquired an electric guitar (Peavey Raptor Plus TK) through an interesting trade for my Ipod. I ...
A: I'm not sure why it would be a ground wire, but the repair would be extremely simple if it is. You ...
|
| Static Pop | 2/14/2008 |
Q: I acquired an electric guitar (Peavey Raptor Plus TK) through an interesting trade for my Ipod. I ...
A: Static electricity. It happens when I touch the strings or pots of my strat too. Drives me nuts and ...
|
| punk guitar | 2/13/2008 |
Q: So, if I only want to play 1 kind of music - Hardcore - what guitar do you suggest? What about an ...
A: I like a good, straightforward question like this. A Strat with an Invader would be perfect for ...
|
| p-90 pickups | 2/12/2008 |
Q: I recently purchased an Epiphone Casino. The guitar plays like a dream, but I'm having some doubts ...
A: Very nice guitar...always reminds me of John Lennon. You can buy shims specifically for p90 pickups ...
|
| Whammy bar | 2/11/2008 |
Q: I recently bought an American made Fender strat.When I hit the whammy bar the bridge makes a ping ...
A: Sounds like your springs are finding their resting places. My strat does that from time to time. Try ...
|
| Rewiring | 2/11/2008 |
Q: I would like to rewire my 1975 Gibson Marauder. This model has a humbucker at the neck and a single ...
A: Interesting guitar. I've never seen one in person and have only read about them. Yes, the pots you ...
|
| Keys of music | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I'm just starting out playing guitar and i was wondering what is it that makes a song a certain key. ...
A: I thought I answered this question yesterday, but I guess it didn't go through. 1. Yes, they are in ...
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| Keys of music | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I'm just starting out playing guitar and i was wondering what is it that makes a song a certain key. ...
A: This is such an excellent question and one that I wish more beginning musicians would ask. However, ...
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| Electric Guitar string problem. | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I recently purchased a used electric guitar from a reputable local shop. The problem is that ...
A: Take it back to the shop again. Not only do they need to stand behind the products they sell, but ...
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| stratocaster static | 2/8/2008 |
Q: A static charge, and inherant noise from, builds upon the surface of the pickguard below my pickups. ...
A: I am in New Mexico, so the humidity may be a factor. Try the dryer sheet thing inside of the ...
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| Guitar Wiring | 2/7/2008 |
Q: I put together a Saga kit with Bill Lawrence pickups and a coil splitter. It all works but there is ...
A: If the buzz INCREASES when you touch the strings, then something in your wiring is reversed. It's ...
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| Popping sound when I touch metal on my strat | 2/7/2008 |
Q: Rico, I just re-wired my strat and when ever I touch metal, such as the pots or the tremelo, there ...
A: Static electricity. It happens when I touch the strings or pots of my strat too. It just happens ...
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| Active, or Passive? | 2/7/2008 |
Q: Hey. I'm 17, and I have been playing guitar for about 5 years. I play alot of music styles, from ...
A: Hey there Wes, A great question. Don't think of active pickups as better than passive pickups. ...
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| Amp | 2/6/2008 |
Q: I'm thinking about getting a soundcity SC30C valve amp. It's 30 watts and was just wondering if it ...
A: Jimmy, It all depends on how loud your band is and how big a PA system you will be using. Thirty ...
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| Vox | 2/1/2008 |
Q: Hey I'm thinking about getting a Vox AC15cc and was just wondering if it'll be loud enough for gigs. ...
A: That depends. If you are the guitarist for Metallica, the answer is no. If you play coffee shops, ...
|
| Bass guitar broken nut | 1/31/2008 |
Q: I have a "copy" of a Hofner Beatle bass. The plastic nut broke on the E string side. I see that ...
A: A funny story: The first nut I made for a bass was for Warrant back in 1990. His tech brought it in ...
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| Electric guitar buzz | 1/31/2008 |
Q: I have an older model Ibanez, not sure the model but it was a higher priced model at the time and ...
A: Being an audio engineer, you would know all the tricks I do for troubleshooting the guitar: * ...
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| Keys? | 1/31/2008 |
Q: Hey, I recently bought an Epiphone Special II. It’s a pretty low end guitar, I know, but that’s ...
A: Jacob, Lots of variables and questions here. There could be a lot of reasons why the guitar is ...
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| Tom DeLonge Guitar | 1/31/2008 |
Q: Hey do you know if they still sell Tom DeLonge signature strat (not squier) cause I've been looking ...
A: In my opinion, the Delonge Fender is one of the least versatile guitars they have ever sold. It was ...
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| stratocaster static | 1/31/2008 |
Q: A static charge, and inherant noise from, builds upon the surface of the pickguard below my pickups. ...
A: Very ironically, I was talking to another Strat owner this afternoon who is having the exact same ...
|
| Tom DeLonge Guitar | 1/30/2008 |
Q: Hey do you know if they still sell Tom DeLonge signature strat (not squier) cause I've been looking ...
A: Doug, They are apples and oranges, my friend. The Fender is a single pickup, solid body strat. The ...
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| Tom DeLonge Guitar | 1/29/2008 |
Q: Hey do you know if they still sell Tom DeLonge signature strat (not squier) cause I've been looking ...
A: DeLonge ended his contract with Fender and is now endorsing Gibsons. There is a Tom DeLonge Gibson ...
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| body repair | 1/27/2008 |
Q: I have a crack on my guitar body around the neck. Actually I have 2 cracks about 1/2 inch apart. ...
A: Almost nothing will totally kill a guitar. There's always SOMETHING you can do. Those cracks you ...
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| Changed to heavier gauge strings and now the tremolo sticks out! | 1/25/2008 |
Q: Changed my strings on my fender USA strat to heavier ones. After finishing tuning the bottom of the ...
A: Elevens will definitely sound killer on a Strat. I have a friend who swears by them. Your ...
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| Changed to heavier gauge strings and now the tremolo sticks out! | 1/25/2008 |
Q: Changed my strings on my fender USA strat to heavier ones. After finishing tuning the bottom of the ...
A: Sounds like you went a bit heavier on your string gauges, huh? That's cool...the strat will sound ...
|
| 1989 american strat noise | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I experience a static, scratchy sound when I touch the plastic pickguard below the strings, or strum ...
A: Yes, the WC40 leaves some residue behind. Personally, I like that it leaves some lubricant behind, ...
|
| 1989 american strat noise | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I experience a static, scratchy sound when I touch the plastic pickguard below the strings, or strum ...
A: It could be related in that there might be a loose connection in there, or the pot is really dirty ...
|
| output jack | 1/21/2008 |
Q: Hey, I recently tightened up the hexagonal nut/bolt on the back of my brianmoore i2 and now when i ...
A: I used to have that same guitar and I've always regretted selling it. Very nice guitar. It sounds ...
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| Fret fixing and wood cracking | 1/16/2008 |
Q: One fret of my guitar (the 17th) has a deep scratch right in the middle (0.5mm x 0.25mm deep). All ...
A: To your firstI personally would NOT try to fill the scratch. You want your frets to be super, super ...
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| Picking a pickup | 1/16/2008 |
Q: okay um, here's my question. I have a fairly ancient guitar, it's called a Zenon Lafayette, anyway, ...
A: Boy, I love that surfy stuff. I'm a big fan of that sound. You know, almost any pickup is going to ...
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| Floyd rose in drop C | 1/15/2008 |
Q: i have an ibanez rg HR Giger 2 model with a floyd rose on it. The the thing works great, except when ...
A: Dropped C, huh? That's some heavy stuff! You are right that people tune Floyd tremolos to all kinds ...
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| Hondo II Full Electric | 1/13/2008 |
Q: My guitar (a Hondo II Full Electric) is not sending the sound to my amp, i believe it is the jack ...
A: Brandyn, There are a zillion things this could be attributed to, I'm afraid. You need to do a ...
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| soldering | 1/12/2008 |
Q: Whats up Rico? Im trying to solder the ground wire to the trem claw on my STRATOCASTER but solder is ...
A: No, regular ol' solder from Radio Shack should work just fine. The problem you are having is that ...
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| Volume and tone control, electric guitar | 1/12/2008 |
Q: I am a complete beginner who just got an electric guitar. This is an Epiphone Les Paul Jr with a ...
A: There are many variables at play here. If you have p90 or single coil pickups, they are going to ...
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| tuning problem | 1/9/2008 |
Q: I recently acquired a Epiphone Les Paul Junior as a back-up guitar.I like the feel of it but have ...
A: Rick, The simple approach is to take a small philips head screwdriver and check to see if the ...
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| tuning problem | 1/9/2008 |
Q: I recently acquired a Epiphone Les Paul Junior as a back-up guitar.I like the feel of it but have ...
A: There are always lots of things you can do for the problem. 1. Change your strings. The fact that ...
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| tuning troubles | 1/6/2008 |
Q: I have an electric guitar that I got for Christmas a couple of years ago, I don't know how old it ...
A: Never fear, your problem is actually very common. Your intonation is out of adjustment. Be glad that ...
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| Volume and tone control, electric guitar | 1/5/2008 |
Q: I am a complete beginner who just got an electric guitar. This is an Epiphone Les Paul Jr with a ...
A: You are right about the knob closest to the pickup. It is your volume control. The next one is your ...
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| Mic buzzes when I lay my hand on it | 1/2/2008 |
Q: Hey! I seem to have a problem with my new Epi Les Paul (since I don't think it happened before). ...
A: That's a strange problem. Usually it is the opposite. A guitar usually quiets down when you touch ...
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| Guitar pickups shot? | 12/16/2007 |
Q: I just bought a Squier Strat from craigslist. i plugged it into 2 different amps and have used 2 ...
A: It is very rare for all three pickups in a Strat to go bad at the same time. My best guess would be ...
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| 3rd string g | 12/7/2007 |
Q: i am having trouble keeping my third g string in tune.if i just do a one fret bend it goes out of ...
A: You are welcome. I am happy to help where I can. Your problem is pretty common. I'd be willing to ...
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| Strat jack lead socket relocation | 12/2/2007 |
Q: i am working on a 2nd strat project and want to make it look something special, little touches here ...
A: You have a couple of good options, both of which will require you to hide the original hole for the ...
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| homebuilt guitar tone | 11/24/2007 |
Q: I built a separate pickup for each string on a Squier guitar and ran those signals each to a ...
A: You built a separate pickup for EACH string? That's very interesting. I can't say I've seen that ...
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| Trem arm loose | 11/22/2007 |
Q: I have a Jem 7vwh but the trem arm swings loose. Its not the bushes as i have replaced and tried my ...
A: Tightening the nut will probably not stop the arm from swinging, no. It's not meant to tighten the ...
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| Trem arm loose | 11/22/2007 |
Q: I have a Jem 7vwh but the trem arm swings loose. Its not the bushes as i have replaced and tried my ...
A: If it is not the bushings and you are SURE of that, you can do a couple of things. One popular fix ...
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| RePainting | 11/13/2007 |
Q: How do I repaint a guitar and with what? Thanks, Braden
A: Braden. There are a couple of answers to your question and it depends on what kind of guitar and ...
|
| Jimi Hendrix tone for national anthem | 11/1/2007 |
Q: I am litle more than a hobbyist that started playing guitar this year. I play a Hendrix like Star ...
A: I am a huge Hendrix fan. You are a bit off the path in finding Jimi's tone. However, there is ...
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