Why is it that...

[willo]

....whenever I change my strings, and the bridge is removed, then replaced, do all my strings choke and not sound anything musical at all? All I am getting is dead spots up and down the length of the fretboard. I didn't change anything with the saddles or anything, so whats up? and how can I sort it out?

I always wanted to ask this question, but especially now seeing as the problem is happening again!

Please help?

[FELINEGUITARS]

Which guitar is this that we are discussing?

[willo]

its my Les Paul, its the one in my avatar.

I think it may be a really stupid question - i guess thats why i never asked before - but its happened before. All i did then was handed it to my tech for a set up and it came back fine, which leads me to think it may be something to do with intonation?

Either way, it always ends up unplayable unless I leave one of the old strings on while I put the new strings on.

[FELINEGUITARS]

One of two things is at play here...
Either the bridge posts somehow get wound back into the body and therefore lower the action so low that the strings buzz against the frets.

Or when you string up the neck relaxes when all the tension is removed from the strings by taking them all off.The tension in the truss rod will pull the neck backwards into a backbow. As you tune up the strings the tensions balance out and the buzzes should disappear.

Try changing one string at a time - or be very careful not to let the post height change if taking all the strings off, or simply dont take the bridge off if that is wht lets the posts lower.

[willo]

Thanks for your help! i think it sounds like the posts have lowered when I was polishing my guitar up - i wasnt too careful today and knocked the post a little, and then i was all 'oh shite...hope its ok'. evidently it isnt!

So if this is the problem, have you got any tips for raising the height of the bridge posts again, or should i just go for it?

[_tom_]

When I raise or lower the bridge on my Epi LP, I always go a quarter turn at a time.

[willo]

When I raise or lower the bridge on my Epi LP, I always go a quarter turn at a time.

with strings in or not? treble or bass side first?

[_tom_]

With strings in. I find without the strings in I cant tell what the actions gonna be like. I always do bass end first for some reason. Hope that helps :D

[FELINEGUITARS]

Ok - it's real easy.

Put a capo on at the first fret.

Take something that is between 1.2-1.5mm thick (0.047-0.059") to measure the gap between frets and strings.

I suggest either the end of a low E string if you use a set of 10-46 or 11-49s or an extra thick guitar pick (a purple totex or one of Tims BKP picks). Or use a steel rule or feeler gauges if you have them.

Raise the bridge posts till you can just get the pick or string end between the top of the fret and the underside of the string. It should pass through without moving the string.

On the low E measure at the 12th fret, and on the high E measure on the 17th fret

[willo]

ok thanks for that info! :D

I'll give it a shot in a minute and post back (hopefully with my guitar restored to its former glory!)

[willo]

ok Ive been trying this and at the moment im in a bit of a mess. The bridge is now raised so high off the body of the guitar that the strings are almost flat between the bridge and the saddles, yet I'm still not getting the BK pick through at the 12th fret, nor am I getting anythign that actually resembles a musical note!

Could something else be the problem? i dont htink I can raise my bridge much higher!

[FELINEGUITARS]

I think you are adjusting the TAILPIECE there.

Turn the bolts for the tailpiece back down to the body and get ready to adjust the bridge.....

OK - firstly are strings tuned to pitch? What gauge do you use? and what tuning?
And are you restringing with the exact same gauge of strings as before??

With strings tuned to pitch
Put capo on at 1st fret. Hold down high e string at 17th fret. Look at where the 8th fret is and see how much gap there is between high E  string and fret whilst still holding down at 17th.
There should be a small gap - enough to get a sheet of papr through, maybe almost a businesscard, but not much more.

If there is no gap at all - like the string touches the fret then the truss rod may need adjustment, but I would be surprised if this was the case
If it is correct then as I said above:
Take something that is between 1.2-1.5mm thick (0.047-0.059") to measure the gap between frets and strings.

I suggest either the end of a low E string if you use a set of 10-46 or 11-49s or an extra thick guitar pick (a purple totex or one of Tims BKP picks). Or use a steel rule or feeler gauges if you have them.

Raise the bridge posts till you can just get the pick or string end between the top of the fret and the underside of the string. It should pass through without moving the string.

On the low E measure at the 12th fret, and on the high E measure on the 17th fret

[willo]

I think you are adjusting the TAILPIECE there.

 :oops:

shhh! don't let on to anyone that i forgot which bit was what!

I will try and get the guitar sorted now - thanks so much for your help - but I am still having difficulty tuning it to concert pitch in advance, as it is already choking then.hmmmm... :shock:

[FELINEGUITARS]

Ok- raise the posts for the bridge up half a turn in advance, then tune to pitch and then follow the instructions. Having pre-raised the height, it may be that you end up lowering the string to height but it doesnt matter as long as you get it sorted in the end

[willo]

ok, thats grand! my guitar is sounding notes again and is tuned up fine! thanks so much!

I might try lowering it now to see if i can get it some lower - i couldnt be bothered measuring it, as soon as i got into pitch ive just been jamming. But i'll get on the case and try and lower it soon. Thanks a lot! :D