The Action On Your Fender Is The Single Most Important Aspect of Your Guitar

Oh spank me! (One more overlooked factor in Fender playability) Love ninja editing)

How is your tremolo? Is it blocked? If so, forget I said anything.

But if it is in use and not properly setup, you will once again fundamentally affect the sound when you get around to setting the trem.

I had a brain fart - thought to myself, oh wait...I have't set the trem block and it's pulling forward like waves breaking on the beach. (Nice metaphor/simile?)
Fvck me...dumbass.

Pull the back cover off - are the claw screws all the way in, or are they almost all the way? Somewhere in between?
Mine were almost all the way out - and of the six screws that affix the bridge to the body only one was flush? They shouldn't be ALL the way down, but these were up and down...no rhyme or reason.

Oh...double fvck me. I am laughing by this point. Gotta laugh, right?

Okay...loosen the strings - no tension on the bridge.
Tighten the six...or two screws depending on your system, until the bridge lays almost flat against the body. Back out the claw screws until it lays flush.
(In reverse in my case - I tightened the claw and then set the bridge, then went back to the claw to snug it)

Tune up. The bridge should lift a bit off the body - you now have a floating trem that is balanced and if you can string well (not as easy as we think) you can bang the crap out of the trem and never go out of tune.

Okay - now the strings are, in my case sitting even lower. Maybe the effect top wrapping gives to tension is in play, the strings are now lower, thumpier and they felt looser - which I realize is nonsense. But I dislike the term "slinky" used to describe the effect.

Action?
Well, maybe that is a tad bit of hyperbole.

The action on a Fender is so much more than the simple height of the strings over the fretboard.
At it's simplest, yes it accomplishes that.

But peculiar to Fenders, it defines the sound of your guitar - perhaps humbuckers are a more generic sound, meant to be thick almost to the point of mud. Muddy is an adjective Fender people use rarely. But I digress.

To set your action, you are touching upon four points of the guitars voice.

Most Fender necks are more curved than other makes - a radius of 7.25 or 9.50 being common.

So that makes it crucial to align the action to mimic the fretboard. Another reason is the pole pieces in Fenders, Strats in particular - staggered pole pieces - so now you are matching not only the curvature of the fretboard but the layout of the magnets as well.

And now that you have moved the saddles height to mimic the fretboard, the pickups need to be adjusted. Unless you raised the action, the pickups will need to be dropped - a lot.

The D & G strings have a lot of built in thump - the pole pieces are the cloeset - this is where your action should be peaking. A nice gentle hump to make great Fender thump.

You are also balancing playability as you go. Lower the low E too far and it falls dead at the 14th fret. The buzz can kill.
Are you going to be above the 14th fret? A lot? How much is your choice.

The B and high E are open to as much room as you like to use. I hold the string next to the one I am bending so I like to feel a bit of a place to "lean" with my off finger. So I'll set them almost high. Much higher than the rest of my setup.

The strings you use have a huge bearing on sound; go heavier and you get twice the thump but need much more action to keep from fretting out.

The older I get, the higher my action seems to go. It is more a balance between the sound I get and playability. I don't need low action to play as I thought I did when I was younger. I can play almost any action, set to MY HANDS.
And THAT, is the key.

We all have different hands and bend in different ways, fret differently, et cetera.
So look to get the sound you crave and your fingers smile (no matter what makes them smile) at the same time.
                                         With Flash

Without

Nice stripe where my thumbs hangs out.

I love the change in the color.

P.S. the specs Fender gives for action based on pickups is a great place to start to tailor it to YOUR sound. But relying on them as a be all end all is foolish.

Buy A New Guitar...Think You're Gonna Just Play?

Open the outer box.
Remove packing.
Remove the inner Fender box.
Open Fender box.
Remove packing.
Pull guitar from box.
Remove bag of "case candy."
To completely remove the plastic film laid over the pickguard and tremelo plate means removing the knobs and some screws.

The great people at Sweetwater boast of a 55 point inspection prior to shipping. The card is signed.

"Pass a white glove inspection"
Sweetwater is cool in that they show you photos of the guitar you are buying, the serial number, the exact guitar...not a general representation.

In the picture they sent me and was on the website, shows a mark?

See the crescent moon thing on the lower right hand side of the body - across from the Tone knob?
"Gawd, I hope it is just lighting..."
No, it was gunk and it was present as I unpacked the guitar. At least it wasn't a ding.

They are a great place to buy your stuff. But no, they are far from perfect.
(No one is, I know that)

The strings?
"Stable tuning"
Yeah, the string were new in 2012. They had rust on them.

Lower the action. Change the strings. Lower the pickups since you lowered the strings.
The high 'E' and the 'B' feel pretty good.
The lower four are subject to future change.

My point, when you unpack a new guitar, you are several hours of work away from having the guitar you ordered. And either you supplied the labor for free or paid through the nose.
How many people are discouraged by the generic setup manufacturers use?
And further, how many have no idea how to make it what they wanted in the first place? It gets lonely when you think you have screwed up with your new, pristine guitar.
"Oh no...what am I gonna do, now?!"

Many stores offer "free" adjustments et cetera.
Yeah, when I buy a guitar, why not ask me what I like for action and so forth before I walk out the door and then set it up for me?
"What string gauge would you like?"

I could sell another set of strings and maybe a strap as well.
It's an opportunity that most establishments gloss over - they got a sale, what more do I want?

I want it playable when I get home...duh.

I do try to explain this to the new people, learn to bond with the guitar as you tighten and tweak.
Just as in life...

Music, Language and Love

They are all symbolic forms of communication.
They make the world go 'round.

So why does a Mont Blanc inspire better prose?
A "real" Stratocaster inspires better music.
Love inspires sharing on the most intimate levels - laundry becomes a fun pursuit.

What is it about the human mind that craves, "better?" That wants to say, "I use the best?"
On the obvious level, it is a statement on how far we believe we have come relative to those around us.

So I am better than Mother Teresa because? My watch cost more than her wardrobe?

I am torn, perpetually by the truth that my guitar is merely a tool and yet, the more expensive the tool and the perception that the tool is superior, the better my results?
Not necessarily.

My output may not be better; it certainly is more copious, but not necessarily better. Okay, odds are, the more work I produce, the greater the chances that one of my pieces actually is better - I get that.

But who am I impressing with the guitar other than myself?
Does anyone in the audience know it is new? Do they care? Not likely on both counts.

So why do we need to reinforce these notions to ourselves? Am I trying to convince myself of a truth or am I just trying to silence my inner critic? The release valve that never specifies what pressure it is reducing. Just that it is telling me something.

As I dial the action in, the guitar becomes more a part of me, rather than the tool of choice.
As I tinker and tighten and move the tool becomes more me.
I am trying to elevate my opinion of myself?
The, "I do deserve better," voice?

I dunno. But I am tinkering and playing so the end result is a good one, in all regards.
Gawd, this thing is purple!

Quick Update Stratocaster

Heavier than the Squier ~ 6.6 lbs

Louder at the same setting of volume and tone.

Height of the pickup switch is lower, shorter, closer to the pickguard. Hopefully less chance of inadvertently smacking it.

Strings were old and nasty. Action was too high, without curve. I swabbed the interior of the truss rod opening and it was a) dusty and b) still had wet tint/paint - at least the color leeched into the q-tip a bit. I dunno.

Frets are medium jumbo and are fine, nut is cut better, less deep than the Squier. Looks like similar material.

The pole pieces in the pickups are slightly larger than the ones on the Squier.

Tuners are the traditional loop through, whereas the Squiers use a top holed tuner which makes it simpler to restring. I had not done my other method in a while and forgot the cogent points. Fun of rediscovery. Note to self - leave enough slack for sufficient turns.

I had gotten a bridge cover that didn't fit the Squier - after some futzing with it, I got it to fit. I dunno what my problem is; I like bridge covers in place, hate getting my palm ripped by a nasty screw head.

The finish is interesting - why gloss the fretboard side and satin the back? My faded SG has a 'satin' fretboard/neck. I don't see why Fender choose to use both.

Neat neck. Normal grain, nothing spectacular. Not tinted like the Squier.

One brown line that runs the entire neck up the middle. And a stripe near the top on the back that has that quarter sawn look - it runs the entire neck as well. I tend to stop and look at it when glancing at my hand.

Bridge is floating, but I haven't put the trem arm on, so no matter, yet. And it is a short trem arm? Cool!

The inside is shielded with paint. It is a higher quality cover than in my Vox, but it is the same thing. Quiet? Not so much, it's a strat.

No rolloff when cutting the tone knobs - same volume, just less treble.

It was cheaper than the Jag by half and both are MIMs, but this seems a better piece.

I tried some recording but since every 5 seconds I stopped to adjust action or tune, I have squat but this. I tend to try everything at once - so there is OD, wah, chorus. Really just getting a feel for what it puts out.

Fooling Around

Someone remarked, "You're like a kid on Christmas..."

NGD/ GAS/ Why The Face?

NGD - New Guitar Day - the beginning line to countless threads at My Les Paul

GAS - Guitar Acquisition Syndrome - a common disease among players

WTF - Why The Face - Modern Family

In 1971 late December, I had talked my parents into buying a new Fender Stratocaster for me.
Victor's House of Music, Ridgewood, N.J. Naturally, they didn't stock one, they had to order it for me.
Sunburst with a maple neck and HSC - Hard Shell Case.
$272 and change.
And then the waiting game began.
I would get it by February - a ninety day window.

It may have been this experience that taught me to relish the anticipation, the seemingly endless waiting.
I'd pore over the Fender catalog, day after day after day.

One night I made my way to the neighboring town of Ridgewood; to a dance. The band was nothing spectacular. I don't recall a thing they played. But I do remember walking to the stage and talking to the guitarist. He had a wine Strat, a midnight wine Strat to be precise. Burgundy to the point of purple. Almost black if you did not look closely.

I told him I had just put in an order for my first Strat; he handed his to me.

"Here, see what you're getting..."

I was transfixed. I played a chord or two, mumbled something and handed it back.

At a Farmer's Market gig, I was taking a break. I laid my guitar on the stand and started to walk away when I noticed a kid, maybe ten...twelve? staring at my guitar. He can't ask, but you know he wants to.

I pay my debt,

"Here, play it while I take a break, take care of it, okay?"

He looked like Ralph Kramden - Hummna Hummna...But his eyes were lit.
I didn't go far and I kept an eye out, but the kid's fire was lit. I paid it forward.

This is half the reason I do this. I love to see a child fall in love, be transfixed, this is the moment that kid will remember for the same forty five years I recall my tale. It is profound to a budding musician, to be included.
It costs me nothing and does so much.

Oh, why the acronyms?
I found a midnight wine Strat for just the right price. Wanna see my eyes lit up? Wednesday.

An Open Letter To Eric Clapton

Dear Sir, Lord, Esteemed Colleague in Arms,

It is not normal for me to be able to pinpoint your effect upon my playing, you have always been an enigma to me. I had discovered music just as Cream was closing shop.
But I recall playing Disraeli Gears more times than I could count.

If asked, most people would label you a "Bluesman," of one form or another. But what reflection on your body of work has led me to conclude is you are a faceted musician of no stripe at all.
You handle ska with equal aplomb.
Or Gospel, or Pop or...or...the list does not seem to end.

I was asked once to capsulize you and I said, "If you take any John McLaughlin and slow it by half, you have Clapton."
It was meant to be derisive and nasty. Now, I kinda see it as both true and a huge compliment.

You sir, introduced me to the power trio, before I was even aware of Hendrix.
The first time I got high, I wasn't aware of it. I just recall eating a bag of cookies.

You sir, showed me the path of free form jamming.
My first band consisted of myself, my bestest friend in the entire world on bass and a young kid, who by virtue of owning drums, became "our" drummer. (during a break, I sat down on the set and started playing - everyone ran back in - Charlie, you got better!).
Then Bert went to California on vacation, so I told Charlie that it was over and hooked up with a Ginger Baker freak. Rick, looked, and played...AND PLAYED like Baker. When Bert returned he was naturally upset I had made the unilateral move. His anger lasted four and a half seconds.
We set up in Rick's basement. He had a stereo setup behind the drums...his brother's drum - John was an excellent player as well.
Rick would put some Cream on and we'd join in. Inside of three weeks, we were playing five or six songs, fairly well. And the jamming...gawd.

Last November I rekindled my love of Strats. Last week I was sick and had little to do, but look up minutiae... and something got me started with you.
What a masterful expression in so many diverse genres.
But when I was 13, and had the choice between Derek & The Dominoes and Grand Funk's debut, 'The Red Album.' It was a no-brainer. Grand Funk.

So, I must apologize for any dismissal I directed toward you, as I have nothing but admiration and respect for everything, you gave to me.  And I realize that to be a catalog so varied and so many styles touched upon, must have been the joy of it for you. "I can play whatever I like; whatever I want to try."
The sheer creation.

Kinda like your hair.

Success

At some stage in life, usually later rather than sooner, we try to assess our relative success in life.
We begin by looking at wealth, possessions, family, business...

I have, for a day job, been a Quality Professional since 1979.
THOSE ARE THE WRONG METRICS!

I have been playing a guitar since I was eight. I have been in a movie playing my guitar, I have several credits on very obscure albums of little note. I have done session work with real names.

1970
I had just returned from summer camp and began my "career" as a high school student - 7th grade...the big times.
At camp we had an overnight trip - to Woodstock.
I'm thirteen, had just discovered my penis, pot and music. To call Woodstock pivotal...understatement.
Had to have a Stratocaster and had to be Jimi. No two ways about it.
My first real dance. The band is called Spyder and they played 'I'm So Glad.'
Girls are dancing, the music is making something happen inside me, I am higher than the proverbial kite. Oh, this...is what I gotta do.

1971
My best friend knew a guy who said he could get us lesson with "the greatest guitarist in the world." I laughed so hard I didn't call until almost a year later.
Al DiMeola lived in Bergenfield. I took lessons, hung out, got him to write a letter of introduction for my college days ahead.

2007
I decide to play "out," make or join a band and play for money. Since that time I have played a couple hundred gigs, traveled a little, bought and sold about a dozen guitars. In short - I am living my dream, aren't I?

The unbridled joy that music has brought. The adventures...the tales. I get to share my innermost feelings and people applaud.
How is that anything but a resounding success?

Always room for improvement, though...(The QA speaking)

Funny, You Don't Look Flu-ish

I slept the past four days away and ate nothing.
The flu is leaving.
I lost close to thirteen pounds.

The fuck I am complaining about?

While bored - illness is boring because you are literally killing time until you can DO something productive, I rediscovered my love for all things Clapton and dug to find his Master Builder at Fender. Turns out there is more than one.
But if I had eight thousand dollars to spend on a guitar, and the requisite four years to wait for it to be delivered...I think this Gene Baker number comes really close.

Yes...a 4 year wait and $8,000 gets you this.

What kicks my flu ridden ass is I'd sound the same playing Noon's beauty or my current ride.

The more I look at it, the more I realize I'd need an entirely new wardrobe just to play that Noon thing.
And where would you take that to play, e?
The Back Door?
Club House 66?
Phil's Sports Bar?
Characters?

Back to bed...but first a little something I call Noodling.

And Now For Bed

Wasn't planning work of any form this weekend.

A call from a keyboard player led to a nice little gig on Friday.
While there, the same guy tells me - "...and another tomorrow."

Assumes I heard or knew something I hadn't.

Signals cross, and rather than the mid day thing I had been expecting Saturday afternoon, turned instead to be an opening act at a nice little club close by, in the early evening.

That's okay...stoners and musicians have that in common. Details seem to slip by. Details...
When the guy doing the booking is a stoner musician, hooboy.
This is the guy that has forgotten such essentials as the power supply for his keyboard.
I am laughing, no, really I am. (He has the good weed!)

We're playing some simple RTF tunes (yes, there are a couple, No Mystery) and found our groove. Some heads are bobbing, fingers snapping.
And then...

Since Thursday I have been making signs of the cross, using my voodoo dolls and praying to the Hooch God all to ward off the latest flu going around.

About halfway through the third tune, a really loose arrangement of Loopsy Loo and I felt my chest tighten and my head gave me a slight twinge, near my right eye.
(This is where this degenerates into a diatribe about aging)

Might have been love, were that applicable, but no, it's the M&^therf%$k*ng flu.

So I was getting happier, more gigs means more of everything I love, maybe even some money. And now this?
G'night