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Post subject: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:19 pm
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Hi,

I have the Stevie Ray Vaighan and Eric Clapton strats and find that the action on the EC strat feels a lot higher. I don't have the tools to measure but is this actually the case for a standard factory setup or would it be that the different frets make the action feel different? Note that I've tried other EC's and SRV's in the shops and this difference is consistant.

I'm just asking becasue if it is fact higher I'll get a prfessional to lower the action on the EC.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 3:01 am
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I would think both should be the same, but necks are 2 different animals. Only way to know is to measure action and relief.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 3:29 am
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The two necks have differing fretboard radii - the Clapton model is 9.5" and the SRV is 12", which might account for the different setups.
The 9.5" radius might need a slightly higher action for bends not to choke out on the frets.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 4:33 am
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If I understand what you are asking, "Action" deals with string hight. This can be easily fixed by having it properly set up. If the action is high on the Clapton, this is a set up issue. Have a luthier set it up and you'll notice a big difference.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:48 am
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Are both guitars strung with the same gauge?

Assuming both guitars came from the factory with the standard factory setup and also assuming they haven't been messed with it's logical to wonder if one of them was strung with heavier strings, which would make it harder to play and which would also raise the action by pulling harder on the neck.

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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 6:32 am
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You have two guitars in that quality and price class. IMHO, it's a pity you ask for advise from the forum instead of taking both to a pro for a setup - those guitars really deserve it.
And, from your post I read you've already played them enough to give the pro instructions on what to do.

The different play feel may be for instance because of the original setup, neck radius, string action, string gauge, string brand, the nut, or even the frets (although the fret size should be the same; both have the "Vintage style" frets). All these will be fixed in a setup.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:59 pm
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Quote:
jmattis wrote:
You have two guitars in that quality and price class. IMHO, it's a pity you ask for advise from the forum instead of taking both to a pro for a setup - those guitars really deserve it.


Good advice. I just assumed that they'd be optimally setup when I first purchased them.
I guess I was more curious if it's common knowledge that the 2 guitars have a different standard factory setup.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:24 pm
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Played a used EC yesterday. Action was fine but frets sure could have been dressed better.


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 11:59 pm
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Blackie and Number One shared the same 7.25' radius - just sayin'.

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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 12:13 am
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chromeface wrote:
Blackie and Number One shared the same 7.25' radius - just sayin'.

Oh those good old days of just one option...
EC Sig of today - 9.5". SRV Sig of today - 12".
:wink:


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 12:37 am
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chromeface wrote:
Blackie and Number One shared the same 7.25' radius - just sayin'.


That was true once!
When Fender measured Stevie Ray's Number One they found that the radius had become a compound radius because of the number of refrets it had in its life.
Stevie Ray was very hard on frets .....


Last edited by stratmangler on Wed Mar 18, 2015 1:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 1:03 am
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Rory Gallagher's 1961 also became with time flatter than the original 7.25" - and same is probably true for many other vintage (or just vintage radiused) Fenders.

Drifting off topic again... :wink:


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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 4:55 pm
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My EC has very low action. The neck is perfect! Like butter!

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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:51 pm
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Warmoth's neck profile diagram show's the SRV neck to have an assymetric cross section. The Clapton neck is symmetric in cross-section, with a sleek V-shape, less bulky in feel.

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Post subject: Re: EC vs SRV action and playability
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:50 pm
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mdb1974 wrote:
Quote:
jmattis wrote:
You have two guitars in that quality and price class. IMHO, it's a pity you ask for advise from the forum instead of taking both to a pro for a setup - those guitars really deserve it.


Good advice. I just assumed that they'd be optimally setup when I first purchased them.
I guess I was more curious if it's common knowledge that the 2 guitars have a different standard factory setup.


When I buy a new guitar I take it to my local guitar tech and have him set it up. He always sets it as low as possible for optimum bending and no buzz. I've never had to adjust them, even after 20 years of playing them.

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