Newbie Questions

[bwillard]

Hello,
I've been browsing this forum for a couple of weeks now. I bought a new ebony/chrome Les Paul Studio about two months ago and I LOVE it! It's my first Gibson. I've been messing around with guitars for years and finally decided to get serious. It's nice to know that there is a place to come for good information.

I know I'm new but I need to ask a couple of questions. I don't know exactly what they are called but I'm looking for a benchtop guitar holder that luthiers use when changing strings and working on guitars. Does anyone know where I could purchase one?

I also need to set my guitar up. Don't laugh at me but I'd like to try to do it myself. I'm pretty comfortable fixing the intonation but I'm at a loss when it comes to adjusting the action. I know that everyone has their own personal preference but it seems to me that the action is set REALLY high on my guitar. What is a good height to start off with?

Thanks for any help and go easy on me, I'm a newbie!

Ben

 

[Geetarguy]

Get this...
How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great! at Stewart-MacDonald

 

[azimuth]

Yeah +1 on that book. I got it and it gave the the confidence to do alot of work on my guitars myself.

Oh, as for the neck-rest, why not make one out of some scrap wood, carve it out a bit and line it with carpet or something? Stew Mac most likely sells those too though.

 

[Mr Insane]

Welcome.
Pictures of the guitar please.

 

[ehamady6]

That book plus Google helped me learn how to set up my guitars, especially the Floyd Roses on my Jacksons. I check the set up on my guitars about once a month now, especially the intonation. I check it this often because I'm meticulous when it comes to the Impaler's set up. I like the action low with zero fret buzz. Stew-Mac should have one of those benchtop guitar holders.

 

[loneguitar]

+ 1 0n Dan's book also if you want a bench try this.
Guitar Bench Rest at Stewart-MacDonald
Welsome and good luck.

 

[bwillard]

Wow! Thanks for the quick responses! I'm picking up the book today and will order the Guitar Bench Rest in the next couple of days. I'll post a picture of my guitar tomorrow. Thank you all very much!!!

Ben

 

[bwillard]

By the way, ehamady6, The Impaler is one SWEET guitar! Are those EMG pickups?

Ben

 

[CLC12ROCK]

Musicians Friend is having a HUGE sale on accessories. I saw a few bench rests on there. I bought $500 worth of cables, polish and picks. Probably don't need half of it but I saved $100

 

[bwillard]

Here are a few pictures of my guitar:

I didn't realize how hard it is to get a good picture of my guitar.

I picked up the the book and I wanted to say thank you to everyone that recommended it to me. It is a great book. I've come to the realization that the action is set so high I'm running the risk of collapsing the bridge! Are the bridge height adjustment nuts extremely hard to move? I tried turning them (just with my hands) and they wouldn't budge. Any suggestions?

 

[Marshall Arts]

Nice guitar

For a good picture of the guitar, try to take pictures in daylight or sunlight. That way you don't have to use the flash.

 

[barrydjuptight]

Are the bridge height adjustment nuts extremely hard to move? I tried turning them (just with my hands) and they wouldn't budge. Any suggestions?

Make sure you slacken off the strings first, then they should be easy.
Good luck

 

[loneguitar]

Great score, can't go wrong with ebony or Gibson for that fact.
Congrats

 

[Street]

Welcome.
Pictures of the guitar please.

 

[gitmohair]

Que?

 

[Michael Hanson]

Yes, Stew Mac should have the neck stand that your referencing.

I’ve been playing LPs since my first Standard in 1981. I’ve always just laid out some towels on a table and then rolled up a couple of towels like a log to suspend the neck and headstock.

 

[redcoats1976]

I set up mine on the cheap.Big heavy comforter folded in half on the kitchen table.I use a nickel under the low E string to set heigth at the 12th fret,high E is a dime but a loose fit between string and fret.holding down on the string on the first fret and 12th fret with the other hand there should be a very small almount of relief between string and frets on the 7th fret.A medium pick is a tight fit between string and first fret.