bucephalus
Shredder
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- 1,010
Ah ok, see I don't even know which bit it is I'm doing wrong! Electrics should be ok then as I play with fingers, no pick.
Andy Eagle ( Guitar repair tech for 30 years )
- Thread starter Eagle
- Start date
Eagle
Rock Star
- Messages
- 7,061
I was on HRI an TGP but not Harmony Central.
The Evertune is great for chugging and playing that causes tuning issues because of low pitch. BUT it sounds like it’s self not the instrument. I also hate what it does when you want it to allow bent strings.
It’s a clever idea but too much metal for me and an almost totally disconnected body.
Eagle
Rock Star
- Messages
- 7,061
One of my customers is selling 85 of his guitars here;
Some great pieces.
Quite a lot has sold but great stuff.,
Some great pieces.
Quite a lot has sold but great stuff.,
Chocol8
Rock Star
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- 3,532
Wow!!! That guy had some nice stuff!
Eagle
Rock Star
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- 7,061
He has another 300 or so .
I installed the cheaper version of the Vega trem on my MIM Mike McCready Strat. I started intonating E, A and D, all have the same problem: 12th fret is flat, and I ran out of space to move the saddle forward. The grooves seem to have some space in the front, but the saddle is stuck at the far end with the screw that holds it down.
Out of the box, the saddles where at an angle, farther down at the far end. I lifted them up to parallel with the (maybe misguided idea) to move the witness point a bit more towards the nut. I do wonder whether because of this changed geometry the witness point actually moved to the back, since the groove is definitely rounded at the front end of the saddle.
Also I wonder whether I should shim the neck a bit at the two front screws, the saddles seem a bit high and I might be able to lower them like that. Like pictured I have about 5/64th at the 12th fret (E string) and almost no relief.
Any ideas for me, Andy? I would like to make it work, I do like it's smooth operation so far.
Out of the box, the saddles where at an angle, farther down at the far end. I lifted them up to parallel with the (maybe misguided idea) to move the witness point a bit more towards the nut. I do wonder whether because of this changed geometry the witness point actually moved to the back, since the groove is definitely rounded at the front end of the saddle.
Also I wonder whether I should shim the neck a bit at the two front screws, the saddles seem a bit high and I might be able to lower them like that. Like pictured I have about 5/64th at the 12th fret (E string) and almost no relief.
Any ideas for me, Andy? I would like to make it work, I do like it's smooth operation so far.
Eagle
Rock Star
- Messages
- 7,061
You should have them angled because they need to be firmly bolted down. I see your issue being you are trying to get too much overall height and it’s causing a limited movement forward. You need to reduce the saddle height and restore the fully bolted down saddle. Is there any shim or micro tilt in the neck pocket already?
No, there is no shim there at the moment! I'll give that a try! Thanks, Andy!
Eagle
Rock Star
- Messages
- 7,061
Yes you need to reverse shim it a little.
Well, I reverse shimmed the neck, which helped with getting the saddles lower. However the intonation problem still persists. I compared with the old trem and the saddles are all pretty much at the front too (I can't remember how well I intonated that one).
I requested an RA from Pedal Zoo, I guess it just won't easily work on this Strat (probably not even the fault of the Vega).
Do you have a recommendation of a 6 screw trem with push-in arm that ideally doesn't take any additional routing in this "1960 Strat" (that's what Mike's original Fender is). I mostly hate that weird vintage-correct angle of the trem arm and that it is a screw-in arm. Thanks!
I requested an RA from Pedal Zoo, I guess it just won't easily work on this Strat (probably not even the fault of the Vega).
Do you have a recommendation of a 6 screw trem with push-in arm that ideally doesn't take any additional routing in this "1960 Strat" (that's what Mike's original Fender is). I mostly hate that weird vintage-correct angle of the trem arm and that it is a screw-in arm. Thanks!
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Eagle
Rock Star
- Messages
- 7,061
That doesn’t look remotely vintage, non of the parts are and that’s a trem from a mex classic??? If you want 6 screws you can get a gotoh 510 with six screw which will probably fit but even that sometimes needs a mm around the collar under the baseplate. It’s not meant to but it often does.
Available with steel block (TS) or lower tension zinc ( T ) both good.
Eagle
Rock Star
- Messages
- 7,061
On a side note the picture of your Vega has the strings not seating properly because they are bent just in front of the saddle witness point . This will interfere with the intonation.
I have never had issues getting the Vega to intonate on a Fender Strat.
Intonation always ends up here with any standard gauge set. Use a good pedal tuner and the G-G fretted notes only method.
What strings are you using? Are you sure they are not fake? I see lots of good looking fake strings and they don’t intonate for shit.
I would be interested in a few shots of the guitar as it’s a 1960 Strat everything looks modern in the picture above.
I have never had issues getting the Vega to intonate on a Fender Strat.
Intonation always ends up here with any standard gauge set. Use a good pedal tuner and the G-G fretted notes only method.
What strings are you using? Are you sure they are not fake? I see lots of good looking fake strings and they don’t intonate for shit.
I would be interested in a few shots of the guitar as it’s a 1960 Strat everything looks modern in the picture above.
SillyOctpuss
Rock Star
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- 4,444
It's a MIM Mike McCready strat.
Eagle
Rock Star
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- 7,061
Oh I missed that. If someone says 1960 Strat I am in verification mode.
Eagle
Rock Star
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- 7,061
Only played a couple and not for long.
Underwhelming for me but they are not my thing.
The bridge seems well constructed but still has all the usual issues. The tuners are cheap oem which is a bit off at this point. The neck wood is more Epiphone than PRS . Quirky but not seeing anything like the money in it . Sorry to be negative but I am probably not the one to see the positive in this. It’s reasonable quality built and sounds are seriously affected by this style of bridge acoustically, a big no for me.
Eagle
Rock Star
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- 7,061
There are plenty of great guitars out there that I just don’t like but I can easily see the good in them and are perfectly comfortable recommending them. Knaggs for example have a horrible design tremolo and hideous styling but play great, sound good and exude quality materials and craftsmanship.
