Andy Eagle ( Guitar repair tech for 30 years )

dk_ace said:
My nut height is good. I’m running a little less relief than you suggest - didn’t grab the feeler gauges but probably closer to .001-.003. My current action on my primary guitar is .031 (2/64) up to .047 (3/64) on the bass side, so quite a bit lower than you recommend. I don’t have any buzzing, but I’ve been wondering if my dynamic range is being limited without me realizing it (although I probably have more than enough).

The thing that would probably help that guitar the most is a refret. The fret height is very low after many level and crown jobs and years of playing.

I’ll try your specs on a different guitar and see how that works out, thanks for clarifying!

D
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Yes that is too low for the strings to be able to move properly. The relief is fine being less as long as there is something.
 
You could probably get 40~50 to work if the rest of the set up is perfect and no issues with level of relief. IF to have a light touch.
 
Eagle said:
This is one way but I think it is disingenuous because it is not the actual action you play. The action can only be measured really when everything else is correct. A high nut ruins the feel and negatively impacts the intonation . It must be corrected before you can make a meaningful action adjustment. For me the action is a measurement of what you feel when you’re playing.
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I got the impression he was talking about measuring the relief -isn't the string acting as a straight-edge for relief measurement?
 
Eagle said:
Using a Stew Mac action gauge measuring at the twelve fret 50/1000” high E to 60/1000” low E. This will work with no buzz and good dynamic range as long as the frets are level and there is the correct relief occurring in the right place (5~7/1000”) at fret 7 when fretting at 1 and 12.
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These are pretty much what I've used over the years.

Do you adjust these at all for smaller radius necks like 10", 9.5"?
 
AlbertA said:
These are pretty much what I've used over the years.

Do you adjust these at all for smaller radius necks like 10", 9.5"?
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It should work on a 9.5” but needs to be 60~70 on 7.25”. On tighter radiuses the upper register needs to be either dead flat or preferably with a fall away to achieve this setup. A lot of people use too much relief particularly on vintage speck Fenders. Also if the relief bottoms out higher up you will not be able to get a good clean three semitone bend on the high E with even 60/1000”.
 
Andy would it be possible to show a close up picture of a well cut nut for a Les Paul 3x3 type guitar ?
Thank you
 
IMG_3012.jpeg

Is this view any good? It is a bone nut I cut for my cheapo jazz box . If not let me know what view you want and I will take it.
 
Awesome Yeah that looks like a perfect cut Simmilar to what my tech did not quite though I was wondering because like on your Picture the higher strings go over the nut didnt know if this was a factor or not
 
It’s normal for the string slots to be half the depth of the string that they hold but I find particularly the high E should be deeper. You don’t want them coming out of the slots bending or if you strum hard.
 
If Andy Eagle were buying a replacement 6 screw Strat bridge/trem what would he get? :idk
 
la szum said:
If Andy Eagle were buying a replacement 6 screw Strat bridge/trem what would he get? :idk
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Depends on what you need.
Vintage accurate sounds?
Vintage accurate sounds and details?
Best performance?
There are a few good ones and it’s actually quite hard to make this design sound bad.
 
If you want the best mix of vintage tone and a bar that has no play this is my recommendation.
IMG_3211.jpeg

Gotoh 510 available with Steel block or lower tension zinc one. The string pitch is 10.8mm modern strat not 11.3 vintage but putting the Es not quite as close to the edge is not a bad thing.
 
What’s the highest a 6 screw strat bridge can be floated long term? I want as close to TOM height as possible, but I’m worried about the screws pulling out of the body.
 
Eagle said:
If you want the best mix of vintage tone and a bar that has no play this is my recommendation.
View attachment 8708
Gotoh 510 available with Steel block or lower tension zinc one. The string pitch is 10.8mm modern strat not 11.3 vintage but putting the Es not quite as close to the edge is not a bad thing.
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What are your thoughts on the Callaham for tone and performance?

D
 
T Gobbs said:
What’s the highest a 6 screw strat bridge can be floated long term? I want as close to TOM height as possible, but I’m worried about the screws pulling out of the body.
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Whatever is the top of the saddle screws. It will not pull out of the body, don’t worry.
 
dk_ace said:
What are your thoughts on the Callaham for tone and performance?

D
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The performance is the same. I don’t have any proof but I think the Callaham is made by Gotoh apart from the block and arm. They make those things themselves. The Callaham arm doesn’t stay tight and the overall tone is bright. Not as balanced as I like tonally.
 
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