In praise of good setups

Reinhard

I got my J-45 standard back yesterday after a new nut, bone saddle and setup from Foster van der Merwe.

Prior to the setup I didn't like the action, as the nut was too low and the saddle too high for a comfortable action all the way up the neck. Also, when playing a G open chord something on the E and A strings didn't quite sound right. The guitar still sounded great, but I knew it could be even better.

So observations post setup: The action is very comfortable now. Plays great all the way up the neck. The combination of the new nut and saddle has definitely changed the tone. Tough to describe, maybe a little mellower compared to the graphtek nut and plastic? saddle. All I know is it sounds and plays great now. The "funny" sound I got on the open G chord is gone too. I'm pretty chuffed, great work from Foster yet again.

So all and all, a great way to start the weekend ?

DaFiz

I'm yet to hear anyone "fault" Foster... seems he can do no wrong,
and he's such a "nice" guy too... way to go Foster :applause:

vic

My Jumbo must also go that way.

Reinhard, what strings/gauge did he put on the J-45 ?

Reinhard

Vic wrote: My Jumbo must also go that way.

Reinhard, what strings/gauge did he put on the J-45 ?

I gave him some D'Addario EXP 12's to put on. I really like them.

vic

Reinhard wrote:
Vic wrote: My Jumbo must also go that way.

Reinhard, what strings/gauge did he put on the J-45 ?
I gave him some D'Addario EXP 12's to put on. I really like them.

aaah thanks...my acoustic has the same currently, but I would like the action a bit lower, especially down at high E.

arjunmenon

Just another word of praise for Foster and his work.

I recently had my electric refretted with stainless steel frets and the nut changed to a Graphtech black tusq.
Foster's work is just phenomenal. He went over & above what a standard setup should include.
The fret ends have even been rounded like worm-heads.

Will post some pics soon. You've got to see Foster's work to believe it!

Wizard

DaFiz wrote: ... and he's such a "nice" guy too... way to go Foster :applause:

+1

He's also very wise and honest in advising you on an "appropriate" fix for the instrument in question.
Will actively discourage you from over-investing where the instrument doesn't warrant it.
Is also no brand snob - instruments are instruments and wood is wood.
--> How do we get it to sound the best at the appropriate budget?

Wizard

Oh ... he's also a magician.
He has a woodwork shop without any sawdust.

Malkav

Arjun Menon wrote: I recently had my electric refretted with stainless steel frets and the nut changed to a Graphtech black tusq.

Wait so is Foster doing SS frets now? If not who did you send it to?

Bob-Dubery

Reinhard wrote: Prior to the setup I didn't like the action, as the nut was too low and the saddle too high for a comfortable action all the way up the neck. Also, when playing a G open chord something on the E and A strings didn't quite sound right. The guitar still sounded great, but I knew it could be even better.

I'm starting to get suspicious about those off-the-shelf pre-cut Graphtec saddles. They're sort of more or less OK for most guitars, but "more or less" can add up to intonation issues across the 6 strings.

Reinhard

X-rated Bob wrote:
Reinhard wrote: Prior to the setup I didn't like the action, as the nut was too low and the saddle too high for a comfortable action all the way up the neck. Also, when playing a G open chord something on the E and A strings didn't quite sound right. The guitar still sounded great, but I knew it could be even better.
I'm starting to get suspicious about those off-the-shelf pre-cut Graphtec saddles. They're sort of more or less OK for most guitars, but "more or less" can add up to intonation issues across the 6 strings.

Mine had a graphtec nut and some synthetic/plastic saddle. The latter not being a good fit. IMO the nut was cut way too low.

With the new nut/saddle, everything is spot on, plugged in all the strings are even. The guitar plays so nice I am tempted to have the same done for my Hummingbird.

AlanRatcliffe

X-rated Bob wrote: I'm starting to get suspicious about those off-the-shelf pre-cut Graphtec saddles. They're sort of more or less OK for most guitars, but "more or less" can add up to intonation issues across the 6 strings.

They are not supposed to be drop in replacements. The grooves are only there as a guide for where to cut the slots.

Bob-Dubery

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
X-rated Bob wrote: I'm starting to get suspicious about those off-the-shelf pre-cut Graphtec saddles. They're sort of more or less OK for most guitars, but "more or less" can add up to intonation issues across the 6 strings.
They are not supposed to be drop in replacements. The grooves are only there as a guide for where to cut the slots.

Are we talking saddles or nuts here? There are pre-cut Graphtec saddles, with a slant from high E to low E and pre-cut compensation for the B.

arjunmenon

Chad Adam Browne wrote:
Arjun Menon wrote: I recently had my electric refretted with stainless steel frets and the nut changed to a Graphtech black tusq.
Wait so is Foster doing SS frets now? If not who did you send it to?

Yup, Foster is doing SS refrets.
And a bloody good job of it he does too.

Nitebob

Took my acoustic Cort to Andries Vorster at The Fret shop on Friday morning. For a bone nut, saddle, bridge pins, a set of Elixir custom lights and a full set up. He told me I could fetch it later on Friday, but the dayjob interfered so I said to him I'd get it on Saturday. Got there on Saturday and the whole Fearie Glen was without power. Thus I couldn't swipe the trusty card and considering the large area that was without power, I couldn't make it to a working ATM and back before closing....

On Sunday however I went to get it. Andries himself wasn't there, but I got my baby...my first impression was that the strings was too high on the treble side, but I put it back in the case and left for home.

The set up and little thingies I had added, make me sound like a halfway descent guitarist is all I can say. Been playing it up to 23h00 last night and started again at 05h00 this morning. Strings turned out to be just right with the radius. I'd like to say it plays like a new guitar, but some new guitars don't even play this nice. Thanks Andries. Well done! :applause:

guidothepimmp

Yup , Andries does great work... +1