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Post subject: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:44 am
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Hi all!

I just bought my first Fender CS Strat. A David Gilmour N.O.S.
Although the guitar is fine, there are some "minor" issues I would like your opinion on, because I have heard so much wonderful things abut CS guitars that I´m a bit...let´s say...unsure about these things.

1) No matter how deep or shallow I install the tremolo arm, the arm always “gives”. I mean the arm can be moved slightly up and down without any change in pitch. :roll:

2) All Pickups are installed quite low at the lower E string section – I trust this is the way Mr. Gilmour has them installed - any on else got this guitar and can confirm this?!

3) I own other premium guitars as well (mainly PRS) and I can bend the lower e string quite high – with my Blackie the sound just dies after bending a full tone or so. Neck issue?! :(

I have sent a mail to customerservice regarding these issues as well, but I´d like the honest opinion of the community too.
Does a Custom Shop guitar need setting up as any other guitar?

Really looking forward to your replies - thanks for your support!
All the best from Vienna
Berglmir


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:18 am
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I've had my NOS since Oct '08 and have not had any serious concerns about it. The basic specs of this guitar with respect to finish, hardware, circuitry, bridge/trem and string gauges seek to suggest what the present Black Strat might have looked like right out of the box. The guitar's original specs are nothing like the stage guitar. In reality, it's a 'partsocaster.'[ref: 'The Black Strat' by Phil Taylor]

I've set up the guitar to my liking to include a set of 10's as opposed to the hybrid string set that DG uses. [I put those on my VG Strat to emphazise the low end of the baritone voice the circuit offers.]

I'm not exactly clear on your issue regarding the 'play' in the shortened trem bar. Is the issue with the way it sits in the bridge or the play in the bridge? This guitar's vibrato is set up floating with from the factory with 3 springs in the system, [and two in the case if you wish a tighter setup] so there may be a bit more laxity in the system without changing pitch. If there's too much 'wiggle' in the bar, I'm thinking that you may need a new bridge block, bar, or both. But I'd be really surprised if that were the case.

Also bear in mind that the scale length of a PRS is 25 and that of a Strat is 25.5.

Doc :wink:

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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:34 am
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Thanks ZZDoc for your reply - it showed me that apparently one must set up any guitar to ones liking no matter if Custom Shop or Standard.

Unfortunately I´m more and more convinced that my tremolo system is faulty - which kind of..."irritates" me for that kind of money! :evil:

When installed the trem arm can be wiggled within the bridge - it feels like the hole/screw in the bridge is bigger then the screw of the trem arm.
I have read about this issue on other Strats and where the solution is teflon tape! Actually I´m not willing to use such methods right now as I expect a CS instrument to be perfect - at least in the beginning. Am I expecting too much?! :?:

I played the guitar out of the box since last friday when I recieved it - well, it seems I have to bring it back to the shop to get it fixed. :cry:

Cheers
Berglmir


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:56 am
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Berglmir wrote:
Unfortunately I´m more and more convinced that my tremolo system is faulty - which kind of..."irritates" me for that kind of money! :evil: When installed the trem arm can be wiggled within the bridge - it feels like the hole/screw in the bridge is bigger then the screw of the trem arm. I have read about this issue on other Strats and where the solution is teflon tape! Actually I´m not willing to use such methods right now as I expect a CS instrument to be perfect - at least in the beginning. Am I expecting too much?! :?: Cheers Berglmir

These are not masterbuilt guitars. I've had some issues with a teambuilt project years ago. Wrinkles are always possible, but for the kind money they are asking for these guitars now, they ought to be defect free. Take it back to the dealer who handled the purchase. Tell him that there is play in the trem handle which is unacceptable to you and you want the issued remedied by returning to the Custom Shop for correction.

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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 12:28 pm
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Unfortunately, there is almost always a little bit of play in the action of the vintage trem arm, unless it is screwed right down tight to the bottom of the thread, which is never practical for most purposes. This fact is regardless of whether it is a regular Strat or a Custom Shop Strat. I have four CS Strats with vintage trems, and they all display this to a greater or lesser degree. So did the new Strat I bought in 1962.

Players have used many different "fixes" for this over the years, including the "Teflon tape" already mentioned.

My solution, and it is a Fender one, is to pop one of the little black springs they make for this purpose down the hole and then screw the bar in on top of it! I coat the spring with a blob of vaseline before popping it in, and this both holds it in place when the arm is removed, and provides lube for the end of the arm when you screw it down. That takes up all the slack in the wobbling arm, and has a bonus of keeping the arm in the position you prefer for playing! :)


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:24 pm
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Is there a spring in that screw hole?

When I put the trem arm in the Hwy 1 with the spring, it was firmly in place, without any wiggly.

I discovered later that the reason I resorted to tape was I put the wrong trem arm in there once, which loosened up the hole and I had to use tape and the spring after that. But, when I screwed it down too tight with the tape and spring in the screw hole, snap, done!

springy dingy?

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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 4:47 am
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Thanks a lot to Butterscotch and RCB-CA-USA!

You confirmed my assumption that I need to set the guitar up.
There is no spring in the hole of the bridge as far as I can see or feel.

I fear there is some issue with the neck as well as there is some fret buzzing on the lower E-string and my "bends equals death of tone" issue is more apparent from the 12th fret onwards then below.

I will of course have this done by a professional, but I´m still curious: Where does one adjust the neck on a DG Start as the usual position on the headstock can be seen but is filled with some dark brownish stuff. Does one have to remove the neck for this?! :o

Once again thank you all for your support and all the best from Vienna
Berglmir


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:50 am
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Yes, to adjust the truss rod, you have to take the neck off, or at least remove it enough so that you get clear access to the screw at the heel end of the neck. If you are getting the guitar set up professionally then no need for you to do that yourself...unless you really want to! Get the tech to drop a spring in the hole in the bridge block at the same time! :)


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:38 am
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Butterscotch wrote:
Yes, to adjust the truss rod, you have to take the neck off, or at least remove it enough so that you get clear access to the screw at the heel end of the neck. If you are getting the guitar set up professionally then no need for you to do that yourself...unless you really want to! Get the tech to drop a spring in the hole in the bridge block at the same time! :)

Don't forget to put some petroleum jelly to fix it in the hole...

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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 10:25 am
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I doubt the truss rod is the culprit. Do not play with it. Do take it to a good reputable repair guy, one that knows the Fender line extensively and has been working on them for years...
Not your typical GC techie.. It's really critical to find and have a rapport with a qualified tech / repair person , especially when it comes to CS guitars such as a DG which really is a parts-o-caster. Saddle adjustments and nut slot tolerances are the first things to check and adjust.
Truss rod adjustment is about the neck relief ( curvature.. convex shape of the fret board ).

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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:13 am
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Dear all - thank you so much for your hints & tips.
Of course I would only give this guitar into, capable and experienced hands - no fiddling with truss rod adjustment for me :lol:

53magnatone you are spot on: I managed to find out about the bending = death of tone issue (and low e-string buzzing at the same time). It seems the neck is fine, but both e-string saddles were set up very, very low (at least half as much than the rest of the strings). By raising those a millimeter (or even less) I could solve this problem. No buzzing at the low e-string and the tone stays with me as far as I can bend the high e-string :D

The trem arm issue is not that important (just irritating :? ) but I will call my music store and ask them for this springs you suggested.

Thanks again and keep on jamming! :wink:
Cheers
Berglmir


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:23 am
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Just so you know what the spring is like, here's an example! :)

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/fender-trem-ar ... 2464-p.asp


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:25 am
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Butterscotch wrote:
Just so you know what the spring is like, here's an example! :)

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/fender-trem-ar ... 2464-p.asp


Brilliant - thx!!


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Post subject: Re: CS Noob needs some support (Thanks)
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:40 pm
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I have seen the trem arm springs at GC and they are in a small plastic box and there are at least 5 or 6 springs in each box... Inexpensive to buy less than $5.00 and ...Yes ... You will need more than one as they have a mind of their own and often decide to escape to unreachable crevasses..

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