hi - how do i adjust the height of the strings

dann · #1 April 9th, 2006

hi - how do i adjust the height of the strings
when i frett any string at say the first few frett they are touching the next fret along this seems to be happening at the first 3 fretts does any body have any ideas on how to sort this -

your knowledge is needed thanks

allthumbs · #2 April 9th, 2006

Look in the Guitar Tech forum. You most likely need the truss rod adjusted but, you must be very carefull if you choose to do it yourself.

dann · #3 April 9th, 2006

thanks but how close should the strings be at the first/second fret and then at the bridge or at the humbuckers

allthumbs · #4 April 9th, 2006

You check string height by putting a capo on the first fret. Fret the 12th fret with your finger. Around the 7th fret, you should be able to just slide 2 business cards under the strings. That is the right height. You might want to check your intonation also.
If you changed from a heavy set of strings to a lighter set, this can also cause buzz if the truss rod is not re adjusted. Did you get your guitar set up?

dann · #5 April 9th, 2006

hey thanks for the info ,i will give that a try - as soon as i get a capo lol ,ive just been reading up on INTONATION in the forum as i had no idea what this was or that i had to set the guitar up each time that i changed string gauges as i said though i am pretty much a complete beginner with the guitar as i can only play a few chords at the moment and now i have realised that my guitar is probably not set up right at all - do you think that i should be able to set it up myself or would it be better to get it set up at a shop as i would prefer to be able to do it myself or am i being a bit to ambitious thanks for all the info -this forum is mint - your my new guru allthumbs thanks

allthumbs · #6 April 9th, 2006

UGB is the main man when it comes to this stuff. I think you should approach this stuff slowly. Since your having such a hard time tuning, I would suggest getting a professional setup so you have a baseline of knowing where everything should be and how it should sound set up right.

dann · #7 April 9th, 2006

thanks -i have got two guitars but it only seems to be the one that i am struggling with and thats why i think its not set up right as the other one i have doesnt seem to give me any problems -at the moment- so i imagine that it is set up pretty well , but i think i will go and get the one that i am struggling with set up proffesionally - thanks

allthumbs · #8 April 9th, 2006

If you got a low end guitar on line right out of the box, chances are it was never set up at all.

dann · #9 April 9th, 2006

i think that im gonna get rid of my cheapo guitars and get myself an epiphone-they just seem like there too much trouble or is it just me

allthumbs · #10 April 9th, 2006

What cheapies do you have? Some are so low end that you will out grow them in a year or they are so poorly made they never really play or sound right.
It is good to have a cheapy around to make your tinkering mistakes on. Cheapies can make great slide guitars too.

Ultimate Garage Band · #11 April 10th, 2006

It's more about being properly set up than the name brand. I could set you up on a 'cheap' guitar that played like butter or a name brand that wasn't set up you'd hate. The more you can do yourself in setups the more money you'll save over the years. FOR MORE GUITARS!!!

dann · #12 April 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

What cheapies do you have? Some are so low end that you will out grow them in a year or they are so poorly made they never really play or sound right.
It is good to have a cheapy around to make your tinkering mistakes on. Cheapies can make great slide guitars too.

hi i have an encore lp copy and a blueridge lp copy- encore acoustic and an encore semi acoustic

dann · #13 April 10th, 2006

hi ugb yeah that was my intentions as i hear that alot of people are having to take there guitars to shops to have them setup and im the kind of guy that would prefer to be able to do it myself than take it to a shop -not that im tight or nothing its just that i prefer to know what i am doing rather than have someone else do it for me if you understand what i mean

allthumbs · #14 April 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dann

hi i have an encore lp copy and a blueridge lp copy- encore acoustic and an encore semi acoustic

You don't want to read about the review for the encore lp. They are usually sold in a package which is a major indicator that the guitar is made as cheaply as possible. The reviewer was quite vocal about the problems and short comings of it. On the other hand, the reviews for the blueridge, assuming it is the right one, are very good. I wouldn't sink any money into the encore if you have a BR130. Here is the review.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita.../BR_163-1.html

dann · #15 April 10th, 2006

i dont think it is the right one as i dont think blueridge even make electric guitars- do they? i had a look at the link and it seems like they are on about an acoustic guitar