Heritage 535 and the G String

[jasonguyton]

Hello everyone. Im new to hollow (semi hollow body) body guitars and I have a questions that has been bothering me for months. I have a 2008 535 that I love. I play a lot of blues and jazz...rhythm as well as lead. I know that string choice has always been a preferred choice thing but I wanted to get your feedback. Here's where my problem is...I've always used 10's on my telecaster. I've tried 12's, 11's, and 10's on my 535. The 11's sound great but I'm always fighting the guitar when I bend the strings...and I bend a lot in my playing. So what do you think about 535 string size and string bending?

 

My second question revolves around the G string. It always sounds sharp when fretted on the first and second frets. So open E and A chords sound horrible. I've tried both wound and unwound G Strings. The wound G string seems to fix it but I loose the bright sound of the unwound string. I don't know if this is just how it is and I have to get use to it, or does my guitar need some work. I barely push down on the string because of the guitars high frets and it is still sharp. I live in the country so I can't find a good luthier to ask. Please let me know what you think.

 

Thanks,

Jason

[GuitArtMan]

I've almost always used '10s on my 24 3/4" scale guitars and just love the feel. 11s are a litle stiff for me when bending. As for the G string being sharp on the first two frets, this is not an uncommon problem. The guitar is an inperfect instrument, that's just the way it is. Some things to try:

1. Make sure the nut insn't too high.

2. Make sure the intonation is set properly.

3. Try an earvana nut. http://www.earvana.com/

4. Go all out and have the guitar Fietenized. http://www.buzzfeiten.com/

[Steiner]

Hi Jason - welcome to the asylum of tone

 

It appears your questions are rather easily solved. String size is a personal preference. The bigger they are, (generally) the better the tone. As one acquires birthdays, one normally has to compensate with shrinking string diameters. It takes practice to get around; fortunately for me, the mounting number of birthdays additionally gives rise to the number of hours of practice. Long story short, use what's comfortable for you.

 

The sharp notes on the first couple frets is probably a high nut (which is not to be confused with a butt-nut). You can try lowering the bridge and see if that helps but I believe a trip to a worthy luthier would be advantageous. The other factor influencing the intonation is the pick-up height. Make note of where you start in case you want to return and lower them way down and see what happens.

 

Let us know how you get along and, dog gone it, post some photos of that 535!

 

[brentrocks]

The easiest fix ive found for tuning problems after bending, especially with the material Heritage uses for theirs nuts is LUBE THE NUT! i use chapstick. Intonation can be a funny thing...especially when you are going from 10s to 12s. truss rod adjustments may be necessary too?

 

Weclcome to the club!!!

 

Pics are a must!

[Thundersteel]

The other factor influencing the intonation is the pick-up height.

 

What does pick-up height have to do with intonation? The bridge, yes, but pick-up height?

[GuitArtMan]

What does pick-up height have to do with intonation? The bridge, yes, but pick-up height?

This is not uncommon on strats and is refered to as "stratitis". Srats have a much more focused magnetic field and so if the pickups are to close to the strings they can actually inhibit the strings vibration. With humbuckers you should be able to those pickups up really close without any problems.