Terry Sneed
From:
Arkansas,
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Posted 11 Sep 2004 8:37 am |
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I have a fender Acoustic/electric guitar that just don't sound as good as it did a few years ago. I paid $800 for the guitar and case about 8 yrs ago, so it's not just a cheap guitar. I was readin in the thread"Gibson intonation problems" and somone mentioned havin the gibson guitar adjusted. could this be what's wrong with my fender, it needs adjusting? it just don't sound in tune even with new strings on it.
can a guitar really get out of adjustment?
maybe that's what's wrong with my guitar.I can't afford a new guitar right now. help!
Terry
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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.
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Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2004 11:12 am
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Hello Terry,
It is possible that over time your neck adjustment has changed. If the strings are high enough off the fret board so that the guitar does not play easily, you need to adjust the truss rod in the neck. There is an adjustment located either under a plastic plate, on the headstock, or right under the end of the fingerboard, visable in the sound hole. If you have the plastic cover on the headstock, take the cover off and see what type of wrench you need to adjust the truss rod. If it is under the fingerboard in the sound hole, you need an allen wrench of the proper size.
It is a good idea to loosen the 3rd and 4th strings before using the allen wrench, to avoid damaging the strings or the nut. Put the allen wrench in the nut on the end of the truss rod, and tighten it by turning it clockwise. Make two or three small turns, then check your progress by looking at string height. When the guitar plays easily, without string rattle or buzz, you are done.
Tuning on any guitar is somewhat of a compromise... When the E chord is in tune, the D may be slightly out. Find the tuning that works best with both chords sounding acceptable. If the action is too high, this will be exagerated by stretching the strings when playing.
Height of the nut and the saddle can also be lowered if necessary. This job is best left to a guitar repair tech, but you can do it if you are careful, go a little at a time, and know when to stop...
On electric guitars, the saddle on the bridge can be moved back and forth to help set proper intonation. Check the octave of each individual string, using a tuner. If the octave is sharp, move the saddle back toward the tail end of the guitar. If the octave is flat, move the saddle forward. Set each individual string, and the guitar will play better in tune. This is usually done by turning a screw in the tailpiece that moves the saddle backward or forward.
Acoustic guitars generally do not have adjustable saddles on the bridge.
Hope all this helps some, good luck with it. Larry Jamieson, Walton Music, Walton, NY
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