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 ...
11
votes
5answers
3k views
How can I minimize going out of tune when using the whammy bar?
Perhaps my selection of musicians is biased, but usually when I see a whammy bar used, it's usually with a locking tremolo bridge like a Floyd Rose. Everybody else seems to take the whammy bar out and ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
How should I tune a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo?
A number of my guitars have a Floyd Rose tremolo system with the locking nuts near the headstock.
How can I effectively tune a guitar that has a Floyd Rose locking tremolo?
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
638 views
Using an electric guitar with GarageBand
To use an electric guitar with GarageBand, is a USB cable necessary?
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What is “vintage” wiring on a Les Paul?
What does "vintage" wiring on a Les Paul look like? How is it different from "modern" wiring? What are its advantages? Drawbacks?
3
votes
3answers
303 views
8
votes
2answers
558 views
Does a covering on a humbucker pickup make a difference?
I have seen a number of different pickup designs, like the ones in the image:
Notice how some humbuckers have a covering, and what look like screw heads.
Is this just style or do these different ...
19
votes
3answers
2k views
Why is the bridge pickup on a Stratocaster angled?
I've always wondered why the bridge pickup of a Stratocaster was angled. Is it cosmetic, or does it make a difference in the sound?
2
votes
1answer
863 views
What is a piezo pickup and how does it differ to a common pickup?
I have heard of a piezo pickup used in some guitars, like John Petrucci's signature Music Man.
What is a piezo pickup and how does it differ to a common pickup?
7
votes
1answer
1k views
What changes in the amp when I adjust its presence?
The tone controls on a guitar amp are pretty obvious, but what does the presence knob affect?
It's a subtle effect but can sure make or break a sound. It doesn't seem to be treble or midrange boost, ...
3
votes
1answer
240 views
Do veneered tops on electric guitars really matter?
Flamed, figured wood, or quilted maple AAA top, etc, do they do anything for the sound on an electric guitar, or are they simply an expensive aesthetic feature?
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 ...
6
votes
8answers
177 views
Can I wind my own pickups?
I want to know this to see if I can do some modifications to my guitar tone but I don't want to screw the pickups...
is there any guide arround?
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
294 views
what effect(s) did Dimebag used to make Cowboys from hell Intro?
I've been thinking this for a while now, does it sounds like an engine? is it tremolo + dist + pitch??
any Ideas
9
votes
5answers
178 views
What electric guitar string set should I use to go down to B?
me and my band are planing to play some slipknot and maybe korn (A) but we don't want to get 7-s guitars so what string should we use?
3
votes
1answer
207 views
How often should electric guitars be serviced?
I have an electric guitar that I play from time to time. Should I be giving it 'maintenance services' or only if something goes wrong?
1
vote
2answers
528 views
Powering 5 high-current draw effects pedals
I've got the entire collection of Empress effects pedals now but my dream of an all-Empress pedalboard is being stymied by their power-hunger nature. 3 of the 5 run PICs for parameter changes and what ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Changed string gauge on Strat - told need to adjust tremolo claw - how?
I recently restrung my Squier stratocaster with 11 gauge strings (Rotosound Reds) instead of 9s. Since then it won't intonate properly - no matter how far back I move the bridge saddles the 12th fret ...
2
votes
1answer
327 views
Correct direction of block inserts of floyd rose tremolo?
Recently I want to change the string of my guitar.
This is the first time I change a guitar with floyd rose tremolo.
After I loose the screw in the saddle, I found that the original
set up is weird. ...
3
votes
2answers
166 views
Playing The Strokes - Heart in a Cage intro - what's the best technique?
I'm trying to play the intro to The Strokes - Heart in a Cage. Valensi uses quite a bit of drive in it so it's very difficult to get clean notes at that speed. I use two fingers of my left hand to ...
2
votes
2answers
97 views
The difference between DN500K and DN520K?
I'm looking into buying my first real "metal" guitar(yay), and thought the Ibanez Darkstone series would fit the perfect description.
I'm having troubles finding the difference between the 2010 and ...
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 ...
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 ...
10
votes
9answers
255 views
Should I worry about painful fingertips?
I just started to learn playing the (electric only for now) guitar, and I love it! I've read on a few pages that it was normal for my fingertips (those that I use on the fret board) to hurt in the ...
2
votes
2answers
984 views
Troubleshooting a broken electric guitar
I have a B.C. Rich Beast. I believe it's an NJ series, with a Floyd Rose Speedloader Tremolo.
It's been in storage for around a year or so in a padded guitar case, stood vertically in a cupboard. ...
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 ...
16
votes
13answers
3k views
How can I practice in an apartment without annoying the neighbours?
I live in an apartment and I find my current amp (a 15W solid-state) to be poorly suited to that. I can't turn it up without upsetting the neighbours, but at low volume it sounds horrible with any ...
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
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?
7
votes
5answers
513 views
We got together with another guitarist. What can we play together?
Recently I met a great guy who also plays guitar. We became friends and decided to get together once in a while to jam. When the time came, we realized that we do not know what to do musically at our ...
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.
