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Post by foxx on Mar 3, 2006 22:06:32 GMT -7
So I just picked up this used Korean Sheraton semi-hollow body. I really like how it plays, yet the tuners, pickups, and electronics could be better. I am considering replacing all the hardware, it's cheap gold plated crap. I believe that the pups are microphonic, if you tap them with a pick you can hear it plain as day through the Mazerati. It does sound pretty good otherwise, maybe a bit dull. Does anyone have a suggestion toward pickups? I know that this guitar should be able to cover most styles, except heavy metal, so I want something as versatile as the guitar. I guess we're talking vintage humbuckers, not the mini humbuckers from the original Sheraton, but what seem like "full"size. I have a p-90 LP style guitar for my hard rock and heavy blues tone. I have the Sheraton for about everthing else. I guess I want that organic, open, warm, rich, beautiful tone that the jazz guys get with the semi-hollow bodies. Thanks
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Post by garyh on Mar 4, 2006 13:11:32 GMT -7
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 4, 2006 16:26:22 GMT -7
I'd imagine anything would be an improvement. Gibson '57s always get good reviews and probably Duncan's would be good too. You don't neccessarily want or need a pickup that doesn't make a sound when you tap it. There is a theory that the best tone is had by the pickups that are as microphonic as you can stand, given how loud and how much gain you use. I'd leave the tuners alone if they work okay. A good nut and good bridge are your most bang for the buck hardware wise. Remember, whatever you spend now probably won't be recovered later if you want to trade or sell. It might sell quicker than a stock guitar but probably for very little, if any, more money.
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Post by foxx on Mar 4, 2006 19:08:23 GMT -7
Hey, thanks billyguitar. I maybe I should play some other semi-hollow bodies before I put any money into this guitar. You are right, I won't get that money back. Maybe the tuners will be the only thing I change. I set the intonation with the strobostomp the other day just after doing a guitar with Gohto tuners. The Sheraton took forever, it was way off and the tuners just aren't as accurate as others that I have used. They seem to let the guitar go out of tuner eaiser.
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Post by johnnyl on Mar 5, 2006 2:17:12 GMT -7
Hey Foxx, I was having trouble getting & keeping my Les in tune and a buddy suggested locking tuners. They were pretty easy to put in and they definitely did the trick.
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Post by foxx on Mar 5, 2006 11:00:14 GMT -7
That 's a good idea johnnyl. I had those on a strat, and they did work well. +1 to you and billyguitar
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 5, 2006 15:30:52 GMT -7
I've had a zillion old funky guitars and only one actually had worn out tuners that wouldn't hold tune and that guitar is a prewar Rickenbacker bakelite spanish, which means it's the same as a bakelite lapsteel but with a fretted neck for normal playing. In my experience a sticky nut is the cause of 99% of tuning problems, providing the strings are stretched and there's nothing wrong with the bridge. Be sure and lube the nut grooves with graphite or graphite and petroleum jelly mixed together. I can't very easily tell you how I stretch strings but if you lube the nut and stretch the strings those tuners will work fine. Save your money until you try those things. Just my advice but I've seen a lot of guys throw away money on uneccessary mods.
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Post by foxx on Mar 5, 2006 15:39:49 GMT -7
Keep it greasy, I will try that for sure. Those tuning machines aren't worn out, but not as accurate maybe as some. When I change the strings I will check the ratio and lube em' up. +1 billyguitar. Thanks
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 5, 2006 15:45:34 GMT -7
I'm sure you realize this but always tune up to pitch. If you're sharp, drop it below pitch and come back up. I don't think accuracy would be the issue. You might find that higher ratio tuners are easier to use because they're not so touchy but believe me, if I can gig old Silvertones and stay in tune so can you.
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Post by foxx on Mar 5, 2006 16:43:34 GMT -7
I just used some pencil graphite on my nuts, guitar nuts that is. Yeah, that really helped. I always do tune up to pitch, but what about the fine tuners at the bridge? Can they be adjusted up or down to pitch? I have not had much experience with those. The graphite seems to let the string slide in the nut, at all times not just when tuning. Now I realize that when I tuned before the string would "stick"a bit in the nut and then would adjust itself as I played. Now between the Strobostomp and the lubed nuts I anticipate much better accuracy and the strings will stay in tune much better. Thank you soo much! +1 again billyguitar.
P.S. I think I'll just leave the Sheraton as is. One of these days I will just get something better I'm sure. The more I play my through the Mazerati the better I get and everything else just seems to be following suit.
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 5, 2006 16:44:57 GMT -7
I just used some pencil graphite on my nuts, guitar nuts that is. Yeah, that really helped. I always do tune up to pitch, but what about the fine tuners at the bridge? Can they be adjusted up or down to pitch? I have not had much experience with those. The graphite seems to let the string slide in the nut, at all times not just when tuning. Now I realize that when I tuned before the string would "stick"a bit in the nut and then would adjust itself as I played. Now between the Strobostomp and the lubed nuts I anticipate much better accuracy and the strings will stay in tune much better. Thank you soo much! +1 again billyguitar. I keep a pencil in my gig bag
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 5, 2006 16:45:43 GMT -7
been wanting a Epiphone Zephyr
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Post by foxx on Mar 5, 2006 17:03:27 GMT -7
So Dave, let's say you were not a professional musician, maybe hard to imagine for you, but. How many guitars and what kinds would be essential? Right now I have 2 electric guitars , the Sheraton and this custom made LP style double cut with a mahogany body and gibson P-90's. I aslo have a 2000 Martin D-15 Mahogany. I feel that with these three guitars I can cover a wide range of music and tones. Yet I want more. Currently, I make no money from playing music and have no plans for that to happen. So, I can't justify spending more money on other amps or guitars, at least to my fiancee. In the last 2 years I have accumulated all the gear that I have, I had quit playing for 5 years or so. I have as much money in pedals as my Mazerati costs. I have bought an entire set of harmonicas, really nice ones. I bought a 4 track, two microphones and a mic preamp. I'm afraid to total up the $$ for all of it. If this keeps going I think that she's gonna get pissed. I really don't feel like I have G.A.S. I just have a desire to have a certain sound. And now I have a Memory Lane on the way. Won't it be better with a volume pedal and another Z to send my delay to? And then I could use the other Z for my Harp's, oh no do I have G.A.S.?
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 5, 2006 19:07:23 GMT -7
thats pretty funny Foxx ,aint you heard of hiding your stuff?, you know you can do most of that with one Z , but thats no fun . I really think its more important to have a good amp .....youve got that and then cover the bases ......humbucker ,single coil , hollow body ,acoustic ,,,good luck
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 5, 2006 19:28:02 GMT -7
Is the Epiphone Zephyr what they're calling their version of the ES-5, like Duke Robillard uses? I have a 1948 blonde Epiphone Zephyr Deluxe but they only had one center mounted pickup so I don't think that's what you mean. I've checked out the new Epi with three P-90s and thought that would be cool. The only issue would be replacing the pickups and maybe the rest of the wiring and components while it's opened up. I used to gig with archtops a lot. I love the sound, especially another old Epi I have that I use one of those DeArmond monkey-on-a-stick pickups. Those DeArmonds are killer! I got so I didn't like having to crane my neck out to be able to see my fingers on the neck. Solidbodies are much more convenient. What makes the new Epi's so cool for a project is that they are only a small fraction of any condition Gibson ES-5, and they look great.
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Post by fishman on Mar 8, 2006 16:07:50 GMT -7
i have a Epi sheraton II as well, great guitar.....I also have a "real les paul standard" ....the epi can do pretty good on its own...I had to play a bit with the amp settings,and the knobs on the guitar but a good sound is in there stock......I was going to play the switch pickup game but after playing around some I decided it was not necessary...I may change the tuners and the gold cheapo to some real gibson chrome....and thats about it....well, maybe shoot some P90's in to it if I was to do anything with the pickups...I like the originals and would only change them to get a totally different vibe.....not to try to improve on a theme....IMHO they are great guitars for the money...and better than some "real" gibsons I have seen
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