Gordon Smith advice needed
MIKE G
Happy Christmas!!!
Does anyone have basic set up details for a Gordon Smith SG please?
Christmas present needs neck adjustment but I cant decide if string
height needs setting before or after neck rod.
Thanks.
--
Mike
Steve Cobham
Check the neck under tension - i.e. strung and up to pitch - if it's
got any back bow it'll need adjusting.
The string height is something that you adjust *after* the neck's how
you want it. Shoot for a dead straight neck and then take it from
there. A little relief is acceptable, but not too much. Then adjust
the string height. Drop it until you get string buzz and then raise it
until the buzz disappears.
Any buzzes that don't sound when the guitar is plugged in can be left.
Adjusting the string height before adjusting the neck is probably
going to be a waste of time if you think about it.
As a general rule of thumb, approach the set up tasks in this order:
- trussrod
- string height (and radius if adjustable)
- intonation.
I'm disregarding the nut here as GS usually do very nice nut jobs and
it shouldn't need any attention.
Be prepared to then go from one component to the other in any order,
possibly several times, until it's how you want it. Generally,
however, once the neck is straight, just leave it alone.
All this is best done with a fresh set of strings.
I do know that GS are very approachable, so a phone call when they're
back at work should get you any factory spec you might require. It
might be worth asking what strings are installed on your model guitar
at the factory. The specs will apply to those whatever they are.
I like GS guitars.
Gary Ames does as well............ ;-)
Anyone here who's contemplating buying an Epi instead of a Gibson
because of the cost would do well to check out the Gordon Smith range,
and there's some *real* secondhand bargains out there.
Quality instruments at a realistic price.
Steve.
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Gary Ames
<guit...@guitarnet.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>Hello,
>Happy Christmas!!!
>
>Does anyone have basic set up details for a Gordon Smith SG please?
> Christmas present needs neck adjustment but I cant decide if string
>height needs setting before or after neck rod.
>Thanks.
Which model is that? I have 2 Gordon Smiths and love them both -they
just "feel " quality. The Gypsy 2 , is I guess a little more like an
SG, but is pretty sturdy/heavy.
As Steve infers , I am a fan . Have you tried phoning Gordon Smith
direct ? I have several times ( to date a second hand model , etc.)
and found them very helpful and very keen to chat - they really seem
to take a pride in their product.Coil taps as standard seems a nice
twist !
So many good value second hand models too , I think the fact that
Gordon Smith don't seem to be too greedy , when selling , coupled with
the fact taht dealers dont seem to know the real value second hand
means there are bargains to be had !
Maybe the range is underrated over here . I have had a series of email
with a guy in the States , who raves about his Gordon Smith , which he
feels plays far better than the (several) Les Pauls he has owned annd
the "hand made UK" cachet the Gordon Smith has is a real plus for him
( BTW , I am not on commission , or in any way connected with Gordon
Smith guitars !!)
Have fun !
Gary
G a m b i t
> Christmas present needs neck adjustment but I cant decide if string
>height needs setting before or after neck rod.
>Thanks.
Everyone's been saying phone them and I would agree. Having bought a 2nd
hand GS2 last year (absolutely gorgeous!!) I rang them just out of
curiosity, gave them the serial no. and they told me when it was made and
how much it cost, we also talked about strings n things - couldn't have
spoken to a nicer bunch of guys...
Gordon Smith Guitars
Tel: 0161 777 9438
Address: 9 Manchester Rd
Partington
Manchester
M31 4FB