Setup advice for newbie heritage owner, please!

[Trouble]

 

He bought the guitar from me and it was set up shortly before shipping. .007 neck relief and .045 string height at the 12th fret on the high E, and .055 string height on the low E. It's a 2007 model and has a lightweight tailpiece, stock nashville style bridge, a bone nut, and tonepros kluson deluxe tuners. It played fine for me but I'm used to these guitars. Sounds like Tyler is more used to Fender and PRS scale lengths with different string tension. I suggested he top wrap the strings for a bit less tension. Any other suggestions for him would be appreciated.

Tell him send it to me and I'll break it in.

 

Really though, everyone keeps saying strat types ( longer scale) are easier to bend/play than shorter scale. I don't get it.

 

Shorter scale = less tension to get to the same pitch with the same string guage, fenders usually have a 10 inch radius where as Heritage has a 12 inch radius. Everything adds up to a guitar that is easier to play. I'm not talking out of my ass I played strats for years and years, and still nthink a shorter scale is way easier.

 

I'm thinking something else is going on. tuning a full octave higher seems unlikely to me (although it would explain everything) because I can't imagine the strings would reach that tension before failing in some way, sounds to me like the buyers setup is to blame or he decided he didn't want the guitar and is looking for a way out.

[Trouble]

2 more things, Golferwave I'm assuming those pics were taken by you before it was shipped right? So maybe really doesn't tell us what has happened since.

 

And the other thing, why did you sell that guitar ARE YOU CRAZY?!! That thing is beautiful.

[Kuz]

To the OP, all my Heritages are setup to 4/64ths on the low E and 3.5/64ths on the high E.

 

All Heritages are capable of this low action if you are used to setting up short scale 24.75" guitars.

 

Take it to a good guitar tech, lower the action, tune to pitch, and ROCK!!!

[golferwave]

To the OP, all my Heritages are setup to 4/64ths on the low E and 3.5/64ths on the high E.

 

All Heritages are capable of this low action if you are used to setting up short scale 24.75" guitars.

 

Take it to a good guitar tech, lower the action, tune to pitch, and ROCK!!!

 

 

3/64ths is .047" and 4/64ths is .062" so unless it's been changed by the buyer my setup of .045" and .055" is pretty low. Maybe too low for the type of bends he's doing. I'm sure he'll get it set up to his liking.

[High Flying Bird]

And the other thing, why did you sell that guitar ARE YOU CRAZY?!! That thing is beautiful.

 

I was thinking the same thing. He spent to many days in the sun.

[Gitfiddler]

Buyer's remorse?

[golferwave]

2 more things, Golferwave I'm assuming those pics were taken by you before it was shipped right? So maybe really doesn't tell us what has happened since.

 

And the other thing, why did you sell that guitar ARE YOU CRAZY?!! That thing is beautiful.

 

 

The pictures were taken a few months before it was sold. I have another one in the same finish and need to start downsizing my collection. I still have 16 Heritage Guitars so I'm pretty well covered.

[Hfan]

Tyler,

 

The shorter scale should definitely bend more easily with the same string gauge and tuning. You have less tension on the string to reach pitch. As HFB said, raise the tailpiece or top wrap. It could be binding at the bridge which will make it feel stiffer.

 

It looks like the tailpiece is pretty low, which can give a sharp break angle off the bridge. That can cause the string to break more easily. I do full pitch plus bends on my H157 all the time without problems using D'addario 110s, or Pure Blues. Did the string break at the bridge, the tailpiece or somewhere in the middle?

 

BTW, if you are a geek and like to do math.

 

From:

http://en.wikipedia....ibrating_string

 

 

where T is the tension, μ is the linear density, and L is the length of the vibrating part of the string. Therefore:

the shorter the string, the higher the frequency of the fundamental

the higher the tension, the higher the frequency of the fundamental

the lighter the string, the higher the frequency of the fundamental

 

 

The linear density is effectively determined by the string gauge.

Oh well, guess my assumption was wrong. I pictured two wires stretched to different lengths and I could picture the longer wire being less taut, so much for assumptions. I will examine the formula posted and report back if I discover any errors, I hope to disprove it.

 

I honestly can't tell a difference in string tension, maybe because i played acoustic exclusively for many years doing lead bends etc with .012s and many years doing work that involved some heavey mechanicals which builds finger and hand strength. 10s feel like rubber bands no matter what guitar I am playing.

 

That 150 is a beauty and optioned to the gills, hope the OP finds the solution to make it work for him.

[Tallershadows]

If you purchased the guitar from Golferwave, I am sure the guitar is sound. I have purchased from him before and he is well respected in this forum. Do you have anyone who is accustomed to LPs and H150s who can look at the guitar and render an opinion? That might be useful.

[tyleresco]

Thanks, but that's not neccesary. I never put in doubt his reputation, on the contrary if you read my post i admit i'm a newbie and there's a whole universe i want to learn about heritage. That's why i boght the guitar.

In fact, i never mentioned his name, he had the politeness of publishing pics and expose the case on detail.

And yes, i've taken every advice in this post seriously and i want to give the guitar a try, it was just my very first impression and a bad experience that i wanted to understand.

About the heritage, as far as i can see is in very good conditions and golferwave has treated me very well. No complains, it's just i'm accustomed to very different characters and this was a shocking experience.

For the rest, i hope you keep sharing your knowledge with me, i thank you all for your tips and i hope i can ride this wild horse soon to become a real member of this fellowship.

[Kuz]

Just curious if you have been playing guitar for a while or just a beginner.

 

I have short scale 24.75" guitars (Heritages, McInturff), long scale 25.5" guitars (Strat,Tele, Heritage Archtop), and medium scale length 25" guitars (PRS, Thornton) and never have an problem switching between guitars for different songs.

 

I just can't understand how this guitar with a different scale length (which should play EASIER because it is a shorter scale) can be the "shocking experience" and nightmare you are referring to, unless you have just started playing and only have owned one guitar.

 

Not trying to beat you up, just trying to understand.

[golferwave]

I want to change the course of the conversation here. We got into this setup discussion pretty fast and forgot to welcome Tyler to the HOC. Welcome! Tyler lives in Mexico and bought the H-150 from me and it was a perfect transaction. I remember in the 1960's I was playing a Stratocaster like a huge number of us were back then. I also had trouble adjusting to Les Paul style guitars in the 1970's when I started to play them. You'll find with time that they're a joy to play. As we talk here about setups and such I would recommend that you get yourself a copy of the "Guitar Player Repair Guide" by Dan Erlewine. Buy a good straightedge and a set of automotive feeler gauges and with the help of the book start experimenting with and doing your own setups. Start slow, don't make big changes at one time to the guitar. In short order you'll fine the perfect setup that fits your style of playing. And please join in here on a regular basis, it's a great group of folks.

[High Flying Bird]

I want to change the course of the conversation here. We got into this setup discussion pretty fast and forgot to welcome Tyler to the HOC. Welcome!

 

No shit! Welcome aboard Tyler.

 

Now, go down to Lowe's or Home Despot and get a short stubby flat bladed screwdriver and raise that tail piece. When my custom Firebird got here I could hardly play it. I raised the tailpiece and the strings became as smooth as coconut milk. No need for another setup.

 

Now a note to the both of you. I want to meet y'all in Kalamazoo next summer.

[blueox]

Congratulations on your H-150! That's a beauty. As to your initial problems, my advice is to avoid all other guitars and their influence for a while and just play your Heritage every day until you get comfortable with its scale length, weight, overall feel, and so on.

[HANGAR18]

Congratulations on your H-150! That's a beauty. As to your initial problems, my advice is to avoid all other guitars and their influence for a while and just play your Heritage every day until you get comfortable with its scale length, weight, overall feel, and so on.

 

and turn it up to eleven!

[tyleresco]

Just curious if you have been playing guitar for a while or just a beginner. I have short scale 24.75" guitars (Heritages, McInturff), long scale 25.5" guitars (Strat,Tele, Heritage Archtop), and medium scale length 25" guitars (PRS, Thornton) and never have an problem switching between guitars for different songs. I just can't understand how this guitar with a different scale length (which should play EASIER because it is a shorter scale) can be the "shocking experience" and nightmare you are referring to, unless you have just started playing and only have owned one guitar. Not trying to beat you up, just trying to understand.

Yes, i've been playing for a while several guitars and that's why i was shocked i couldn't with this. I lowered the action and that's better but still feel it a little hard.

 

I want to change the course of the conversation here. We got into this setup discussion pretty fast and forgot to welcome Tyler to the HOC. Welcome! Tyler lives in Mexico and bought the H-150 from me and it was a perfect transaction. I remember in the 1960's I was playing a Stratocaster like a huge number of us were back then. I also had trouble adjusting to Les Paul style guitars in the 1970's when I started to play them. You'll find with time that they're a joy to play. As we talk here about setups and such I would recommend that you get yourself a copy of the "Guitar Player Repair Guide" by Dan Erlewine. Buy a good straightedge and a set of automotive feeler gauges and with the help of the book start experimenting with and doing your own setups. Start slow, don't make big changes at one time to the guitar. In short order you'll fine the perfect setup that fits your style of playing. And please join in here on a regular basis, it's a great group of folks.

I actually own Dan Erlewine's guide, i've used it sometimes.

 

No shit! Welcome aboard Tyler. Now, go down to Lowe's or Home Despot and get a short stubby flat bladed screwdriver and raise that tail piece. When my custom Firebird got here I could hardly play it. I raised the tailpiece and the strings became as smooth as coconut milk. No need for another setup. Now a note to the both of you. I want to meet y'all in Kalamazoo next summer.

Then i raised the tailpiece but the guitar looks awful with that holes exposed, is that normal for a heritage player to be with two holes uncovered that way? I don't like it. Why don't they put some kind of washer for that poles if they know they'll be raised?

 

Thank you all for the good welcome, i'll be here more often.

[Trouble]

Top wrapping your strings will effectively accomplish the same thing as raising the tailpiece, and you can screw the tailpiece back down. Also adds some length to the strings while the scale length stays the same so gives the feel of even less tension.

 

Maybe somebody can help out with a picture?

[tyleresco]

There's no need for a pic, indeed the guitar was set up like that out of the box but it had a lot of string buzz and i changed the strings to the traditional way to avoid this.

One thing for another, as always.

[DetroitBlues]

It shouldn't buzz unless your bridge is too low, neck relief isn't right, or there are a couple loose frets. Top wrapping helps, and there should be no buzz caused by it. Many players, including Joe Bonamassa swear by it.