HNG...not!

horax · 11-02-2010, 01:23 PM

So I get my new (used) LP Standard about 15 minutes ago.

I need some advice as I'm new to LP's.

The strings are basically TOUCHING the stinkin' fretboard, and the knobs barely move...they scratch the surface of the guitar constantly.

What is the best way to adjust these things, if they are adjustable without paying a pro to do it?

Any ideas?

sasquatch · 11-02-2010, 01:30 PM

I always replace those stock knobs with speed knobs. They have much more clearance and just look great.
If you remove the old knobs try to polish that area real good with some Smith Pro Polish or something similar.
Sounds like the neck went flat.
maybe a 1/8th of a turn counter-clockwise may help

ext1jdh · 11-02-2010, 01:30 PM

Take it to the shop and have a proper setup performed.

horax · 11-02-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatch

I always replace those stock knobs with speed knobs. They have much more clearance and just look great.
If you remove the old knobs try to polish that area real good with some Smith Pro Polish or something similar.
Sounds like the neck went flat.
maybe a 1/8th of a turn counter-clockwise may help

1/8th of a turn on the bridge? Is that what you are referencing?

Do all standard knobs rub the body? It almost looks like the pots underneath are perpendicular to the floor, but the rounded body throws off the knobs.

josephchoi · 11-02-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horax

1/8th of a turn on the bridge? Is that what you are referencing?

Do all standard knobs rub the body? It almost looks like the pots underneath are perpendicular to the floor, but the rounded body throws off the knobs.

On the truss rod, which is under the bell-shaped TRC.

GrouchyDog · 11-02-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horax

1/8th of a turn on the bridge? Is that what you are referencing?

Do all standard knobs rub the body? It almost looks like the pots underneath are perpendicular to the floor, but the rounded body throws off the knobs.

1/8 of a turn on the truss rod. If you don't understand what that is, take it to a luthier for a proper setup - it won't cost that much and you'll get a more playable instrument back.

horax · 11-02-2010, 01:51 PM

Looking down the neck of the guitar, you can see the neck is curved on the low E side, but the high E side looks totally flat.

I knwo what a truss rod is, I've never adjusted one, though.
What do setups cost on average? Anybody know Guitar Center's prices?

AngryHatter · 11-02-2010, 02:22 PM

Adjust the bridge to lift the strings.
This assumes the relief is correct, frets level et cetera.

The knobs will be trickier. Are the shafts straight? Do the knobs fit?
Have the pots gotten loose and slipped?

Open the cavity and check?

AngryHatter · 11-02-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horax

Looking down the neck of the guitar, you can see the neck is curved on the low E side, but the high E side looks totally flat.

I knwo what a truss rod is, I've never adjusted one, though.
What do setups cost on average? Anybody know Guitar Center's prices?

If you go to GC for a setup you are flushing the money down the toilet.
A pro will run anywhere from $50 to $150 but be worth it.
I can give my guy a dead piece of wood and get a magical thing in return.

You can learn to do it yourself, but I would buy a book and take my time. Doing it incorrectly will frustrate you more.

ext1jdh · 11-02-2010, 02:25 PM

There's a thread around here about how to do a setup. Check that out. TR is to adjust neck relief.

horax · 11-02-2010, 05:09 PM

Went to GC since I bought it there used online, and they set it up for free.

Can't complain about that! Now it's a happy NGD.

horax · 11-02-2010, 05:36 PM

Here are some pix:

ext1jdh · 11-02-2010, 10:01 PM

Nice. Beaut. The techs at GC can occasionally be useless, but sometimes toy get a good one. A good setup makes all the difference

horax · 11-02-2010, 10:06 PM

I think it still could use new strings, but I'll take care of that myself after I read up on how to do that with LP's.

I want to keep the action where it is, so I have to do some studying.
I have Dean Markley Blue Steel's on my Strat, and standard Gibson 10's on my Epi SE II.
I might go with some Ernie Ball's or Elixirs on the new LP.

It's also time for new strings on my acoustic...definitely going with D'addario's.

Kezia · 11-02-2010, 11:09 PM

When I got my Black Beauty the action was way too high. A quick adjustment of the bridge, the action was just where I wanted it!

11-02-2010, 01:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
horax Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	HNG...not! So I get my new (used) LP Standard about 15 minutes ago. I need some advice as I'm new to LP's. The strings are basically TOUCHING the stinkin' fretboard, and the knobs barely move...they scratch the surface of the guitar constantly. What is the best way to adjust these things, if they are adjustable without paying a pro to do it? Any ideas?

11-02-2010, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
sasquatch Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlotte, N.C. Posts: 1,346 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: HNG...not! I always replace those stock knobs with speed knobs. They have much more clearance and just look great. If you remove the old knobs try to polish that area real good with some Smith Pro Polish or something similar. Sounds like the neck went flat. maybe a 1/8th of a turn counter-clockwise may help __________________ Epiphone LP Special wP-90's Squier CV 60's Jazz Bass Squier VM Jaguar Bass Marshall HDFX 100/a cab Acoustic B200 115 Sansamp DI/Boss TU-3 Digitech RP-355

11-02-2010, 01:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
ext1jdh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 9,025 Thanks: 83 Thanked 160 Times in 59 Posts	Re: HNG...not! Take it to the shop and have a proper setup performed. __________________ There is no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes. -- Doctor Who Twitter Facebook Stop American Censorship Now!

11-02-2010, 01:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
horax Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: HNG...not! Looking down the neck of the guitar, you can see the neck is curved on the low E side, but the high E side looks totally flat. I knwo what a truss rod is, I've never adjusted one, though. What do setups cost on average? Anybody know Guitar Center's prices?

11-02-2010, 02:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
AngryHatter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 13,342 Thanks: 40 Thanked 107 Times in 44 Posts	Re: HNG...not! Adjust the bridge to lift the strings. This assumes the relief is correct, frets level et cetera. The knobs will be trickier. Are the shafts straight? Do the knobs fit? Have the pots gotten loose and slipped? Open the cavity and check?

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11-02-2010, 02:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
ext1jdh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 9,025 Thanks: 83 Thanked 160 Times in 59 Posts	Re: HNG...not! There's a thread around here about how to do a setup. Check that out. TR is to adjust neck relief. __________________ There is no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes. -- Doctor Who Twitter Facebook Stop American Censorship Now!

11-02-2010, 05:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
horax Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: HNG...not! Went to GC since I bought it there used online, and they set it up for free. Can't complain about that! Now it's a happy NGD.

11-02-2010, 05:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
horax Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: HNG...not! Here are some pix:

11-02-2010, 10:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
ext1jdh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 9,025 Thanks: 83 Thanked 160 Times in 59 Posts	Re: HNG...not! Nice. Beaut. The techs at GC can occasionally be useless, but sometimes toy get a good one. A good setup makes all the difference __________________ There is no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes. -- Doctor Who Twitter Facebook Stop American Censorship Now!

11-02-2010, 10:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
horax Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: HNG...not! I think it still could use new strings, but I'll take care of that myself after I read up on how to do that with LP's. I want to keep the action where it is, so I have to do some studying. I have Dean Markley Blue Steel's on my Strat, and standard Gibson 10's on my Epi SE II. I might go with some Ernie Ball's or Elixirs on the new LP. It's also time for new strings on my acoustic...definitely going with D'addario's.

11-02-2010, 11:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kezia Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3,077 Thanks: 66 Thanked 187 Times in 45 Posts	Re: HNG...not! When I got my Black Beauty the action was way too high. A quick adjustment of the bridge, the action was just where I wanted it!

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