# The Great Ongoing Guitar Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 31, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172 "2010-01-31T23:20:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 106
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2102 "2011-11-07T11:20:51Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Jeez, yourself. I was hoping some nerd would come along to answer that question. I was a little worried **Quasi** would start putting Mazola or Coppertone on his fretboard without some guidance. Ignorance fought, **I-VI-ii-V** , thanks!! Oh, I will add this: I never oil my fretboards. I keep my guitars in their cases and play them regularly so the fretboards get oil from my fingers. No real need. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2103 "2011-11-07T23:54:15Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > On the wall are over $1million worth of guitars. > > - A 1959 Les Paul Sunburst with gorgeous flamed maple > - A 1958 Black LP Custom with 3 pickups > - A 1957 LP Goldtop with the rarer black plastic parts (vs. normal cream) - the same guitar blues/rock phenom Joe Bonamassa used as the basis of his Custom Shop signature model > - A 1958 Gretsch White Falcon > - A 1959 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins (aka a Brian Setzer guitar) with gorgeous maple > - a 1953 Tele - one of the best I’ve seen > - A 1937 Martin D-18 wideneck - and a second one he just go needed a bunch of fixing up > - A 1953 SJ-200 > …you get the idea - those are the ones I can remember. I’ll be in my bunk… > [@](#): > > I was giddy like a little girl 😉 walking back to my son’s event - called a couple of friends and finally spazzed out and freaked. > > That’s my story - thought I’d share… I take it your son’s college fund now has a 1/4 inch jack and needs new strings after every 100 hours of playing? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2104 "2011-11-08T18:24:18Z")
I haven’t been following this thread, but… Any tips on changing the strings on a Strat? I find it to be extremely frustrating. It’s like, to borrow an analogy, trying to play pool with a length of rope. What’s an easy way to get the strings OUT of the little holes? And IN to the little holes? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2105 "2011-11-08T18:24:32Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > I’ll be in my bunk… > > I take it your son’s college fund now has a 1/4 inch jack and needs new strings after every 100 hours of playing? 😉 No, but if he gets the scholarship he was testing for - which is what brought me to the city in the first place - I might actually be able to go after another nice old acoustic! I have a couple of nice vintage electrics, but you know what? I play my homebrew Telecasters more. While the vintages ones I got are special examples, I was really able to learn from them and ensure that the qualities I was looking for in an electric where in the ones I built. And since I am not going to gig with a pricey vintage and I get more playing time (and hear a much bigger difference in tone) with a nice old acoustic, I would love to figure something out… ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2106 "2011-11-08T18:27:59Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I haven’t been following this thread, but… > > Any tips on changing the strings on a Strat? I find it to be extremely frustrating. It’s like, to borrow an analogy, trying to play pool with a length of rope. What’s an easy way to get the strings OUT of the little holes? And IN to the little holes? Have you taken off the plastic backplate covering the whammy’s guts on the back of the guitar? It can be tough to get the little holes in the “trem block” (that’s the name for that block of metal the bridge is attached to which goes through the body and is hooked up to the trem springs on the back of the body. If you take that backplate off, you should be able to snip an old string and use the string to push it through the string hole in the trem block. Putting a new string in would be the reverse of that, but you need to eyeball the string when it appears through the hole in the bridge, to make sure it comes all the way up through the bridge saddle correctly. If you have further questions, I guarantee there is a video on youtube showing you the best way to re-string a Strat… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2107 "2011-11-08T18:46:01Z")
Thanks for that. And yes, there are plenty of YouTube videos. But for me, the backplate is not the problem. It’s finding all of the holes. It seems to me that there are three of them that I have to get through, and they don’t always line up very well. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2108 "2011-11-08T18:48:52Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Thanks for that. And yes, there are plenty of YouTube videos. But for me, the backplate is not the problem. It’s finding all of the holes. It seems to me that there are three of them that I have to get through, and they don’t always line up very well. Hmm - 3 holes? Okay, let’s stop for a sec - [here’s a pic](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=strat+trem+block&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGLL_enUS388&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6916982911595786735&sa=X&ei=E3m5ToHkJs3jrAfa96zcBg&ved=0CDcQ8wIwAQ#)of the bottom of a Strat trem block - I see 6 string holes. Are we discussing the same item? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2109 "2011-11-08T19:30:45Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Hmm - 3 holes? Okay, let’s stop for a sec - [here’s a pic](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=strat+trem+block&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7GGLL_enUS388&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6916982911595786735&sa=X&ei=E3m5ToHkJs3jrAfa96zcBg&ved=0CDcQ8wIwAQ#)of the bottom of a Strat trem block - I see 6 string holes. Are we discussing the same item? When I try to push a string out, the ball catches on something inside of the block before I can see it. I have to wiggle the string around a bit before I can bypass that something. And when I insert the string, I not only have to bypass that same something, and then get the string through the bridge correctly. It’s like that on both of my Strats. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2110 "2011-11-08T19:32:59Z")
Do you maybe mean three holes per string? Bottom of block, top of trem, through-saddle? Edit: Ah-ha. Top of trem alignment issue, looks like. My cheap-ass Starcaster had that issue, but not after I swapped the trem out and aligned it. What kinda strats you got? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2111 "2011-11-08T19:33:10Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > When I try to push a string out, the ball catches on something inside of the block before I can see it. I have to wiggle the string around a bit before I can bypass that something. And when I insert the string, I not only have to bypass that same something, and then get the string through the bridge correctly. > > It’s like that on both of my Strats. Sounds like a pain. Those blocks are cast metal; perhaps there are “burrs” or something that the string balls are catching on? They should just be a straight-up hold; try running a dowel that is bigger than a string through the hold to see what it catches on? Or just take it to a local shop and have them check it out? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2112 "2011-11-08T19:51:38Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Do you maybe mean three holes per string? Bottom of block, top of trem, through-saddle? Edit: Ah-ha. Top of trem alignment issue, looks like. My cheap-ass Starcaster had that issue, but not after I swapped the trem out and aligned it. What kinda strats you got? Yes, that’s exactly it. I have a Squier and a Mexican Standard. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2113 "2011-11-08T19:57:09Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Yes, that’s exactly it. I have a Squier and a Mexican Standard. Ah, got it. Yeah, ensuring those different pieces that the strings need to thread through are sufficiently aligned to make that straightforward can be a pain. Per **E-Sabs** , upgrading parts and/or getting the guitar set up typically helps… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2114 "2011-11-08T20:23:37Z")
I suppose I could get that work done, but it hardly seems worth it for the Squire (although I love playing it), and I’ve already put money into the Mexican. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2115 "2011-11-08T21:16:13Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I suppose I could get that work done, but it hardly seems worth it for the Squire (although I love playing it), and I’ve already put money into the Mexican. Yep - a pain. Good luck with your decision; it’s one reason I suggest to new Guitarists (I know you aren’t one; I mean when posting to “what should I buy?” threads) to think hard about a Strat - they are that much higher maintenance vs non-whammy guitars. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2116 "2011-11-08T21:27:51Z")
I’m actually pretty happy with what I have, but I got frustrated last night when it took me about 20 minutes to remove the B string. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2117 "2011-11-08T23:40:12Z")
Could unbolt the trem block from the trem, and screw it back together aligning it a bit better. I don’t _think_ that’d mess your setup up too much. That being said, replacing the trem block is cheap as hell and can make things sound so much better. Specially if the Squire’s trem is one of those slanted half-size zinc things. > **[Upgrade Steel and Brass Tremolo Blocks](https://www.guitarfetish.com/Upgrade-Steel-and-Brass-Tremolo-Blocks_c_219.html)** > > Upgrade Steel and Brass Tremolo Blocks - This is the cheapest and probably the BEST upgrade you can make to the tone, response and sustain of your tre I think you want an Asian. $25 for Brass. ---
**Author:** ![Craneop2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Craneop2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craneop2)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2118 "2011-11-10T22:44:22Z")
I was meandering through a pawn shop here in town. As all of you know meandering through a pawn shop always leads to the guitar racks. Got to talking to the salesguy there and he kinda winked and said “best deal in the shop”. It was a Gretsch 5122dc. I was immediately love struck. Plays like a dream, and he said I could own it for $350. I didn’t hook it up to an amp (wish I had). It looks like new and is a gorgeous deep red color. I know it is made in Korea and is probably bottom of the line Gretsch but Dang it, it’s a Gretsch. Somebody talk me out of buying myself an early Christmas gift! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2119 "2011-11-10T22:55:44Z")
Pics, please, **Craneop2**? (If possible, that is; sounds beautiful, but I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you to check other pricing, right?;)) Q ---
**Author:** ![Craneop2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Craneop2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craneop2)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2120 "2011-11-11T00:06:15Z")
**Quasi** I went online to Guitar center web page and the Gretsch 5120 they have there is $699. Its seems to be the same guitar except the 5122 is a double cutout body style. If that is the case then it may be possible there may be something wrong with this one. Although the one I am looking at is used it looks brand new. The fact that it is used might make up for the discrepancy in the price. It is a deep red and I didn’t take pics but dang its pretty. Humbucker double coils on the neck and bridge and a rigsby whammy set up. I still wish I had plugged it in and will before I decide to buy it or not. I have a bad case of wants right now. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172/2121 "2011-11-11T00:32:26Z")
I know the feelin’, my friend! I get the same “wanna’s” every time I see the Gretsch “White Falcon”, but then I get hit with my wife’s comment: “You buy that thing, you better sure know how to play it, Bill”. That isn’t any kind of a commentary on your abilities, okay? Just another brother telling you I’ve been in love with the wood and the look for a very long time. Lord have mercy! Mr. Chet Atkins sure could make his talk, couldn’t he? Can’t WAIT to see what you decided to do, my friend! Q [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=105) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-guitar-thread/527172.md?page=107)