Newbie Questions on New H535

[MikeMeier]

Gentle HOC Members,

I'm a new HOC member and new H535 owner with no previous electric guitar experience. I have a couple newbie questions and apologize if I've missed earlier threads which may have already discussed them.

 

Is there a FAQ on H535 setup? I see many screws for possible adjusments and wonder about their general use. E.g. How well should the strings be centered above the pickup poles? What are criteria for the pole depths? And many others. Or, are there recommended sites or books that deal with setup?

 

What about strings? I've been using DR JZ-12's largely because my amateur fretting bends lower guage strings and sharps the sound. One recently visited site recommended D'Addario Chromes (12's, I think) and (expensive) Thomistic-Feld George Bensons, which are 14's. The latter sound pretty heavy to me, and I wonder whether truss rod adjustment might be necessary.

 

Thanks for any comments.

Mike Meier

 

 

[chico]

Hi MIke, welcome to HOC. I am going to pass on the setup questions but my curiosity is piqued by the thought you might put heavy strings on a 535, which I don't have in my stash at this point...

 

I think they come from the factory with 10s but others here use 11s, as far as string guage.

 

Your milage may vary, but you can be sure others here will have the answers to your q's.

 

Best wishes, look forward to hearing more from you, let us in on some pics too, that'd be great.. we all lust after Heritage Guitars no matter where they are found..

[Guest HRB853370]

Hey Mike

 

Welcome here. There is loads of information on the internet about setups, adjustments, etc, but you may want to consider investing in Dan Ehrlewine's book on "how to make you electric guitar sound great". He has another book on guitar repair and setup, which covers much more ground on repairs, etc as well. Good luck.

 

Post some photos of your 535 when you get a chance, we are all gluttons for good guitar porn on this site!

 

[kidsmoke]

Gentle HOC Members,

I'm a new HOC member and new H535 owner with no previous electric guitar experience.

 

Geez, Mike, you don't mess around! First electric a 535?!?! Congrats, and yes, pics are an unofficial requirement!

 

As to the set up, there is nothing particularly unique to the set up of a 535/semi hollow, as opposed to other types of electric guitars. Sounds like you're an acoustic refugee...the same rules apply as far as neck relief and action...it's personal preference. You have the added bonus of bridge height adjustment on an electric.

 

Slammer (who I'm surprised responded to this thread, given the fact that you addressed it to "Gentle HOC Members"....) was dead on when he recommended Erlewines book(s). In the short term, here's a quick primer on pickup height: http://billlawrence.com/Pages/Pickupology/Introduction.htm (there's a quick setup recommendation middle of page)

 

As to pole/string lineup. It's not uncommon for there to be a slight misalignment.

 

We've got tech's on board here who can dial you in further, but learning to mess around is good, and with the exception of going nuts with the truss rod, you really can't do any serious damage.

 

Welcome!