A guitar that makes little noise acoustically, employs electromagnetic pickups, and requires electric amplification
6
votes
1answer
1k views
What is Synchronized Tremolo?
My Fender Strat is a Malmsteen signature model.
One of its features is synchronized tremolo.
What's the difference between synchronized and un-synchronized tremolo? How can I tell whether it is ...
6
votes
2answers
724 views
Kahler tremolo bridge problems - how to test and fix?
My Peavey Falcon -- a Strat clone -- has tuning problems. The instrument has a Kahler tremolo that I suspect is contributing to my tuning problems. (The roller nut and tuning machines are other ...
5
votes
4answers
126 views
Should I play licks/solos with a metronome
Praticing scales using a metronome is pretty straightforward, but most solos that I tried so far use an uneven tempo. I mean, the solo is a mixture of quarter notes, 8th notes and 16th notes, as such, ...
5
votes
3answers
245 views
What is the name for the guitar that doesn't have strings?
I had seen an electric guitar somewhere (can't remember) that resemble one used in guitar hero, but it's a real guitar for playing. It has buttons filling up the frets on each note to replace strings. ...
5
votes
4answers
595 views
Bad sound from amp
I get this really bad feedback sounding noise when I play stuff like this, from the beginning of the Free Bird solo,
shown in tab:
1 ----18---18---18---------
2 -18---18---18---------
(All notes ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the repercussions of using really thick gauge strings on my electric guitar?
I have a Jackson King V JS32T electric guitar in blue, see the linked text for specs and the look of it. Anyway, it came with 0.09-0.42 strings and I've been using 0.13-0.56's on it for a little ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Switching my strings from 10's to 9's - am I in for more fret buzz?
So, I'm playing an Agile 200 Les Paul copy (tune o matic bridge).
I've had 10's on it and sadly it has some fret buzz. I recently got it set up to eliminate the buzz and the tech got it pretty close. ...
5
votes
3answers
389 views
How can I make my palm mutes sound more metal?
Whenever I palm mute some notes, it always sounds really soft and weak -- almost like a "blump" kind of sound. I've been wanting to get the metal and shorter palm mutes (like this). Even if I use more ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
My high E string broke after one week of replacing my guitar strings. Could that be an installation issue?
I'm not sure if it's even possible for the string to break based on how it was installed. The only reason I can think of is that it was installed on a loose tuning peg, which it wasn't (I made sure to ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the differences between an American and Mexican Fender Stratocaster?
Many Mexican Fenders have the same or similar price as the American-made versions. Some of the parts are also the same. Generally what's the difference?
5
votes
3answers
2k views
What to look for in adding a noise gate to electric guitar setup?
I have researched various methods of controlling noise/hiss in high gain tube amps. In this case, a Peavey 5150 series. Considering your amp is working properly, proper cables, proper tubes, and ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Do I need to have my guitar re-set up if I change the weight of my strings
I'm a newbie transitioning to intermediate and I have a rather nice strat with 11 gauge strings. I'd like to try lighter strings but someone told me changing gauge will require the guitar to be re-set ...
5
votes
3answers
103 views
Does an adjustable bridge need to be parallel to the frets?
The other day I was working on my guitar (Line 6 Variax JTV-89) that had some intonation issues.
I noticed that I couldn't move the saddles in a position that would be satisfying (I was at the minimum ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Getting started with an electric guitar and Rocksmith as an absolute beginner
I am an extreme beginner to the guitar and music and just picked up Rocksmith and an electric guitar. Some reviews of the Rocksmith game suggest its a good learning aid for those who know a certain ...
5
votes
2answers
628 views
How to tell if my epiphone les paul is standard or standard plus?
Is there a way to tell if my epiphone les paul is a standard or standard plus?
5
votes
2answers
611 views
How to Calibrate / Setup an Electric Guitar?
Even with new strings, my guitar makes some sort of buzzing noise on higher strings. I was told it needs to be set up. What are the steps or where can I find a good guide to do this?
5
votes
4answers
403 views
Why does my guitar sound more natural when plugged directly into a tube amp vs through a pedal board?
Why does my guitar sound better when plugged straight in to my amplifier as opposed to running it through a pedalboard without a true bypass strip?
5
votes
3answers
204 views
Replacing a single guitar note with a chord
I am teaching myself to play the electric guitar and I have printed out various tabs to practice with. On one there is a 14 single note introduction but, I have heard versions played where some notes ...
5
votes
1answer
68 views
positioning of neck pickup on guitars
Is there a particular reason why neck pickups on guitars are often placed exactly where an open string harmonic is found ? Years ago I suffered from 'lost harmonics' till I realised that the one ...
5
votes
4answers
643 views
Playing clean arpeggios on a lapsteel guitar
Please check out this live performance of "Your Latest Trick", by Dire Straits, as it is a perfect example of the question theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKiVttFnqkY&t=4m12s
Notice the ...
5
votes
3answers
131 views
How to prevent high pitch feedback when palm muting
I have a Les Paul with Burstbucker pickups. They sound amazing because they are so hot (very high output). However, when I play with a lot of overdrive, it will constantly squeal (super annoying high ...
5
votes
2answers
471 views
What are the sonic differences between glass and metal slides?
Are there any sonic differences between a glass and metal slide for electric guitar? Is there any particular reason why one would choose a glass slide over a metal slide, or is it simply just a ...
5
votes
2answers
316 views
How do I play the intro riff from Collective Soul's song Heavy?
This question got me all jazzed up about Collective Soul again, so I was spinning through my iTunes library and I hit "Heavy" off Dosage. I have always wondered how to play the beginning riff of that ...
5
votes
3answers
758 views
Guitar Fetish Pickups - Can anyone describe their tone and quality?
OK. I have seen Guitar Fetish pickups at prices that seem insane compared to what most pickups cost - and they have things like humbucker sized P90s that are hard to find in any case. Their stuff ...
5
votes
3answers
504 views
Do floating bridge springs need changing ?
I have a 9 year old Ibanez RG250 with floating bridge. When I use the tremolo my guitar goes slightly out of tune, goes flat if I push down, and sharp if I pull up (I'm talking of course after I stop ...
5
votes
2answers
978 views
The Danelectro DC-59 12 : Any good?
I am looking into buying a twelve string electric to help me improve and further my style and sound. The best option for me, at the moment, seems to be the Danelectro DC-59 12. From reviews, I have ...
5
votes
3answers
5k views
Is the sound of a semi-hollowbody guitar significantly different from that of an equivalent solid body?
I'm wondering if the sound of a semi-hollowbody electric guitar (i.e. one that looks hollow but in fact has a solid central block) really differs that much from an equivalent solid-body guitar with ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
What's the best choice to get more juice out of a tube-amplifier.
The story behind this question:
I got myself a nice little combo for my bedroom-workouts (related to playing guitar, of course :D ), a Blackstar HT1-R which is a lovely little 1 watt 2 channel ...
4
votes
4answers
599 views
Why is my neck pickup quieter when playing with both pickups?
I have an Epiphone Les Paul and have noticed that when the pickup selector is set to both pickups, my guitar plays very softly from the neck pickup.
When I play from the pickups separately the volume ...
4
votes
1answer
380 views
How do I play this tab of No More Sorrow's Live version
I'm trying to play the live version of Linkin Park's No More Sorrow.
Tuning is half step down drop D
|---------------------------------------------------------|
...
4
votes
4answers
690 views
What are the optimal string gauges for drop C tuning on electric guitar?
What are the optimal gauges of strings for Drop C tuning (C G C F A D) for electric guitar? Since this involves lowering the pitch of all the strings, heavier string gauges would be helpful; I need to ...
4
votes
3answers
132 views
How to play chords on full fingerboard without looking?
Are there any secrets behind learning to play chords on full fingerboard without looking at fretting hand (except that practice is the key)? Maybe some exercises?
4
votes
7answers
1k views
What electric guitar strings are the most rust-resistant?
I constantly have to return to the music store with the same problem: My strings keep rusting within a day of playing.
I used Ernie Ball and the first four strings rusted on me, then I tried ...
4
votes
4answers
7k views
Guitar for super-small hands?
I've been playing piano for past 5-6 years and I can't reach further than an octave (Even some chords within the octave are not reachable, or it's hard/borderline impossible to play them with ...
4
votes
2answers
276 views
How do I hold the electric guitar?
Up to now (actually, for ten years) I've only had an acoustic guitar. Only recently I've obtained an electric guitar (a Telecaster). And it is heavy -- You'll laugh, but I didn't expect it to be that ...
4
votes
3answers
431 views
Pop-like creak while tuning strings
I have a Behringer iAxe 393 strat clone.
I recently adjusted the truss rod to fix some frett buzzing.
Ever since, when tightening or loosening the strings while tuning, I sometimes get a creaking pop ...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Using an electric bass guitar with a guitar amp / hi-fi system?
I understand that you should use an amp that was meant to be used with your instrument, but sometimes maybe you just don't have the money, or your amp is not around when you need it, or for whatever ...
4
votes
1answer
188 views
how to do the Dimebag Squeal?
I heard it can be done only on Floyd Rose, haven't tryed on regular though.
4
votes
3answers
386 views
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Floyd Rose SpeedLoader tremolo system?
I have seen some guitars that have a Floyd Rose SpeedLoader tremolo system.
The idea is that it uses special strings and a modified Floyd Rose tremolo. The strings have bullets at each end, rather ...
4
votes
1answer
198 views
How should I connect my compressor effect to my amplifier?
Just bought an ENGL screamer 50W amplifier and the only thing I miss right now is a decent compressor for the clean channel.
I also have a Zoom g9.2tt effects device and I was thinking of connecting ...
4
votes
2answers
522 views
What are the benefits and drawbacks of active pickups?
I have two guitars, one with "passive" pickups and one with "active" pickups.
Although I looked on the web, I'm not really sure to understand what is the difference in terms of sound.
Yes my guitars ...
4
votes
5answers
484 views
Using an amp-simulation pedal with a real guitar amp
I decided when shopping for the amplification side of my guitar rig, to buy a multi-fx pedal that included amp simulations, and a PA amp that adds minimal distortion or colour.
This means that I can ...
4
votes
5answers
184 views
Save money when buying a guitar / amp?
I want to buy an electric guitar and amp.
I found that
there is a good buying guide in this question.
But in terms of budget,
seems that there is not much discount / deal for musical instruments
...
3
votes
2answers
141 views
Guitar's individual bridge saddle intonation cannot be adjusted further
I picked up a cheap (used) guitar on which the intonation was all out of wack. I've followed the instructions in this answer about fixing the intonation using the adjuster screws on the bridge. My ...
3
votes
10answers
2k views
Strange guitar warble sound
I have a Jackson Dinky DK2M with two Seymour Duncan Humbucker pickups and a floyd rose tremolo on it.
It is producing a strange `warble' noise on G string, especially on higher frets like 12th, 15th, ...
3
votes
2answers
382 views
How can I get a sound similar to Shine by Collective Soul?
I love the riff in that song but no matter how much I fiddle with my amp head and pedals, I just can't seem to duplicate that warm, fuzzy feel. Here's a link if you are unfamiliar with the song.
I ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
“Dull” sound when recording dry audio from an Ibanez S series, not caused by old strings?
I'm using my trusty Ibanez S5470 (wonderful guitar, if a little weak in sustain due to its scant weight) to record some dry audio inputs to use for re-amping later, directly into my Focusrite Saffire ...
3
votes
2answers
97 views
Guitar Hum disturbances
When I connect my Yamaha Pacifica guitar to Vox DA 5 amp and connect the amp
to the M audio 2496 sound card input by taking the output from the Vox phones
output, I get a hum while playing the bass ...
3
votes
3answers
131 views
Does bending the neck have any long term adverse effects?
With electric guitars, it's a common technique to bend the neck of the guitar with your hands to produce a subtle pitch change. It is often used with guitars without a whammy bar. Are there any ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
Heavy metal: how to play and “arc down” shown in tablature
I'm currently mastering a Troy Stetina "Heavy Metal rhythm" course, but having troubles with one of the exercises. It has an "half arc pointed down" sybmol after a note on 12th fret, what does it ...
