A quick question about setting up

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:10 pm

Are there any rules for setting up a guitar?
I'm wanting to setup one of my Jags for 12s, currently using 9s, but I am concerned about adjusting the truss rod. I have never had anything to do with a truss rod adjustment before. The 12s will most likely be tuned to C#, so it would be interesting to know if that puts a lot more tension on the neck than the 9s tuned standard.
With other aspects of altering/ setting up a guitar I've just played around and learnt as I've gone along, but I don't want to do any permanent damage to my Jag.

Jack

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:08 pm

Are you tuning down to C#, or up to C#? If you're tuning down, I would suspect that the tension would be similar or less than .09s in standard? If you're tuning up... you're likely going to snap strings

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:16 pm

Yeah it's gonna be about the same tension at C sharp... so don't worry about it. If you go up to E standard then adjustments may need to be made.

To check the curvature of the neck. capo (or finger) the first fret and last fret... at around the 9th fret there should be a small gap about the thickness of a business card.

Other adjustments may include nut file / lube and trem adjustment.

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:40 pm

Down low :p
I'll chuck some 12s on it then, and see how it goes

seeing as the tension will be similar, the bridge springs shouldnbe okay too, yes?

Might try my jagstang instead actually, my jag is 'just nice' so I wouldn't want to spoil it

Thanks for the help.

Jack

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 9:37 pm

With truss rod adjustments never go more than a quarter turn, you should'nt need to and let the neck settle if you do. Some people turn the truss and keep turning it because nothing instantly happens (it does'nt work that way) then come the next day the neck is a mess.
Having said that judging by the tuning change against the gauge change like Owen said you should not need to do any truss adjustments.

Earth · Post by **Earth** » Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:32 pm

You can work out any tension you like here:
Here.
This is a useful tool and I use it often. The default is metric but you can put LB and inches into it.

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 4:52 pm

The jagstang is now C#

sounds sooo evil. I think I'm going to put 500k pots in to try and brighten it up a little. Band practice in an hour so I can try this evil mofo out!

Earth · Post by **Earth** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:28 pm

Usually if you go from like 9's to 10-12's and drop the tuning any tension increase will basically cancel it self out, not 100% but close enough to not need to adjust the truss rod.

You will however likely have to adjust the intonation as this will be the first thing to go out if somethings gonna go out.

If a truss adjustment is required, remember, 1/4 turn at a time.
Check the relief at 6, fretted at 1 and 14.

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:39 pm

Thanks

yeah the intonation was a little out, surprisingly not too bad though.

Definately needs brightening up, just goes way too muddy when driven, and I don't want to play about with the EQs on my pedals and amp cause then it will mess up the sound of my mustang!

Jack

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:07 pm

You can change that capacitor on the tone for a .022, this will brighten things up a little.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:18 pm

Fran, would that be the same for the tone on the Jags roller rhythm circuit, on the top horn ?

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:55 pm

Fran wrote:You can change that capacitor on the tone for a .022, this will brighten things up a little.

I've already swapped one of these in, much better when it still had hybrid slinkys on, but these 12s seem to muddy it up again. I've ordered some 500k CBS from ebay so we'll see how they do

Jack

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 3:36 pm

othomas2 wrote:Fran, would that be the same for the tone on the Jags roller rhythm circuit, on the top horn ?

In theory it should although i've not done it myself, worth having a play around with! The pots are different values though (50k and 1meg so that could be a problem).
I noticed on CIJ Jags the rhythm circuit is really dull but on the Vintage Jag it actually works well with high gain. Whether that is because of a different value cap or just better quality electronics i dont know.