1 Topic by GeorgeT993 (edited by GeorgeT993 2015-02-16 15:00:17)

  • Registered: 2015-02-16
  • Posts: 6

Topic: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

Hello everybody!!

Hope you all are well!

I know there are a lot of questions about Joe's set up, strings and neck adjustment and what not and i have seen what he has posted. It was helped... however i have been wondering about something.

Obviously anybody will want the best out of their guitar and thats with playability and sound. I read that Joe uses 11-52 (I have used these for a while) and Highish action (which his guitar tech said in a video it isnt really high for a guitar player who plays a lot)... and Also a straight neck with no relief.

What i am wondering is if Joe, or anybody else with this sort of setup experiences fret buzz? I am i hard hitter so i do expect a little regardless of how much relief and bridge height i set... But i also remember Joe saying about the guitar sounding best unplugged to ensure a great sound plugged in. But i have also heard a lot of people saying "If you cant hear it through the amp then dont worry about it".

Does anybody have this set up with absolutely no buzz? Or is it just normal. I understand if i sound quite paranoid about buzz in this!

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

GeorgeT993 wrote:

Hello everybody!!

Hope you all are well!

I know there are a lot of questions about Joe's set up, strings and neck adjustment and what not and i have seen what he has posted. It was helped... however i have been wondering about something.

Obviously anybody will want the best out of their guitar and thats with playability and sound. I read that Joe uses 11-52 (I have used these for a while) and Highish action (which his guitar tech said in a video it isnt really high for a guitar player who plays a lot)... and Also a straight neck with no relief.

What i am wondering is if Joe, or anybody else with this sort of setup experiences fret buzz? I am i hard hitter so i do expect a little regardless of how much relief and bridge height i set... But i also remember Joe saying about the guitar sounding best unplugged to ensure a great sound plugged in. But i have also heard a lot of people saying "If you cant hear it through the amp then dont worry about it".

Does anybody have this set up with absolutely no buzz? Or is it just normal. I understand if i sound quite paranoid about buzz in this!

I suggest you take it to a tech and have him adjust it to your liking and the way you play. I was fortunate recently to play Joes skinner and I asked him what strings and he said 11-52. It played beyond amazing. Also for me a guitar is worthy of plugging into a amp if it sings unplugged. If it is acoustically correct you are half way there.
My to cents
Good luck
cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

Fret buzz could be a high fret somewhere. It happens. IF it is a high fret, it could be from the dryness/moisture in your area. Guitars are like people - in that they need room temperature and between 45-65% humidity to keep from warping. It is wood, afterall. You'd hate to file down some frets, and when springtime comes you'll have low frets.

Taking it to a guy who knows his stuff is essential. Getting a high fret down isn't as costly as a full fret dress, and is certainly not expensive as a refret.

That said, I like to get my guitars setup once a year or so. It's a like an annual doctor's exam lol without bending over to cough!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

4 Reply by GeorgeT993 (edited by GeorgeT993 2015-02-16 16:31:49)

  • Registered: 2015-02-16
  • Posts: 6

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

Hi guys, thanks for replying!

The fret buzz is only bad on a couple of strings... E and A. the others are fine. And can one unlevel fret cause buzz on all the other frets?? I have been wondering about this... i have not been in any drastic change of humidity, but i have been in a lot of temp changes recently due to gig venues not having proper heating and playing in very cold temperatures.

I did take it to a guitar tech who was saying it was buzzing because i hit the crap out of the strings... which i do... trouble is the neck felt a bit like a banana and i was worried id do damage if i loosen it more... also the action wasnt low at all. He tightened it and it feels great to play... its a lovely resonant piece of wood as well. Its just got a bright buzz on the E and A when i play it. The neck isn't dead straight, only very minimal relief... and my action is slightly over 2mm (on 12th fret).

Is that just low action... because to be honest i have no idea what is considered low - medium and high!

How could i test for sure for unlevel frets?

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

GeorgeT993 wrote:

Hi guys, thanks for replying!

The fret buzz is only bad on a couple of strings... E and A. the others are fine. And can one unlevel fret cause buzz on all the other frets?? I have been wondering about this... i have not been in any drastic change of humidity, but i have been in a lot of temp changes recently due to gig venues not having proper heating and playing in very cold temperatures.

I did take it to a guitar tech who was saying it was buzzing because i hit the crap out of the strings... which i do... trouble is the neck felt a bit like a banana and i was worried id do damage if i loosen it more... also the action wasnt low at all. He tightened it and it feels great to play... its a lovely resonant piece of wood as well. Its just got a bright buzz on the E and A when i play it. The neck isn't dead straight, only very minimal relief... and my action is slightly over 2mm (on 12th fret).

Is that just low action... because to be honest i have no idea what is considered low - medium and high!

How could i test for sure for unlevel frets?

Try another Tech the one you brought it too should have found it.

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-04-12
  • Posts: 663

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

GeorgeT993 wrote:

Hi guys, thanks for replying!

The fret buzz is only bad on a couple of strings... E and A. the others are fine. And can one unlevel fret cause buzz on all the other frets?? I have been wondering about this... i have not been in any drastic change of humidity, but i have been in a lot of temp changes recently due to gig venues not having proper heating and playing in very cold temperatures.

I did take it to a guitar tech who was saying it was buzzing because i hit the crap out of the strings... which i do... trouble is the neck felt a bit like a banana and i was worried id do damage if i loosen it more... also the action wasnt low at all. He tightened it and it feels great to play... its a lovely resonant piece of wood as well. Its just got a bright buzz on the E and A when i play it. The neck isn't dead straight, only very minimal relief... and my action is slightly over 2mm (on 12th fret).

Is that just low action... because to be honest i have no idea what is considered low - medium and high!

How could i test for sure for unlevel frets?

Get yourself a metal straight edge that spans only three frets. Place it over the first three frets and check that the straight edge has no ability to rock, then work your way up the neck, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fret, then 3rd 4th and 5th fret and so on up the neck. If you have a high fret you'll easily be able to locate it. I started out with cheap guitars and did all my own set up, so I learned the safe way. Now I'm comfortable working on my higher end guitars. If you've never done fret work before I would suggest leaving the repair to a professional, but you can certainly do the checking yourself. I hope this helps

Play some cards & drink black coffee,
How I’d love to see you smile....
JBLP Std Goldtop
2015 R9 LP
  • Registered: 2013-04-19
  • Posts: 5

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

i consider 3 64ths  top of fret to bottom of the string at the 12th fret low action.4 64ths  medium ,5 64ths medium high, 6 64ths high. i find  guitar necks straighten a bit in the cold.ive got 2 guitars setup with little relief and on those i get buzz on first 3 frets of low e string if picked very hard.more info on your problem would be good ,is this a new problem ,does it buzz all the way up the fretboard or just the first 3 or 4 frets ,sometimes strings can do strange things but the tech should have changed them with the setup .

8 Reply by GeorgeT993 (edited by GeorgeT993 2015-02-17 07:08:11)

  • Registered: 2015-02-16
  • Posts: 6

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

justforfun wrote:

i consider 3 64ths  top of fret to bottom of the string at the 12th fret low action.4 64ths  medium ,5 64ths medium high, 6 64ths high. i find  guitar necks straighten a bit in the cold.ive got 2 guitars setup with little relief and on those i get buzz on first 3 frets of low e string if picked very hard.more info on your problem would be good ,is this a new problem ,does it buzz all the way up the fretboard or just the first 3 or 4 frets ,sometimes strings can do strange things but the tech should have changed them with the setup .


Hey man,

Its only really on the low E (mostly) and the A (a little bit) up till around the 9th fret.
The strings get changed reguarly (before every gig which is weekly) and when i took it to the tech he did put a fresh set on.

It started getting bad when cold weather kicked in... I dont remember it being like this when i first got it. I wouldnt have pulled the trigger otherwise! It is fustraiting to have this problem so soon. Its a 2013 R8 and i have had it (bought new) coming up to a year in a couple of weeks!

Also judging on your measurements i have high action! Or Medium High at very least...

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

You might not figure it out until the summer and then it could magically go away. lol
11-52 with a high-ish action, should 'should' be able to do a pretty heavy picking without them buzzing. BUT that said if someone else plays the guitar and the buzz isn't there... you might just have to lighten your attack.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2015-02-16
  • Posts: 6

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

Its there even if i pick quite lightly on those strings. I moved the action up a lot, way more than normal to see if it would stop but it didnt... I have a feeling its the frets...

  • Registered: 2013-04-19
  • Posts: 5

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

hope you get it sorted out.if you post where you are at maybe someone on here can give you the name of a good tech

  • From: athens,hellas
  • Registered: 2015-02-18
  • Posts: 10

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

i had a similar problem with a brand new les paul standard.i use 11-52 strings,wraparound,stopbar at lowest position,medium-high action,allmost straight neck with very small amount of relief, and had buzz at 5-7th fret at low E and A and detune at theese strings.the problem was a bad factory nut that couldnt handle this kind of set-up.when i put an after market nut (i tested graphtech and tusq.i kept tusq and the other i have it spare) the problem dissapeared.
check the nut.in my opinion its,maybe,the most important factor for a well done set-up or lets say for the "geometry of the guitar".

  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 175

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

I run both my Bonamassa Les Paul Studio and a cheap £100 Harley Benton Les Paul with a straight neck, 11-52's, tusq nuts and a medium action that is more or less comparable to my floyd rose equipped guitars with no buzzing from end to end.

  • Rich85
  • Rich85
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: Australia
  • Registered: 2014-04-02
  • Posts: 50

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

get a good tech to have a look if you are concerned. I always found a fair amount of buzz from the low E with those strings though, compared to 9's especially. Just louder acoustic sound I guess.

Les Paul Geek, nut, obsessed etc. etc.
  • From: Teesside, UK
  • Registered: 2013-03-10
  • Posts: 193

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

cindyron wrote:
GeorgeT993 wrote:

Hello everybody!!

Hope you all are well!

I know there are a lot of questions about Joe's set up, strings and neck adjustment and what not and i have seen what he has posted. It was helped... however i have been wondering about something.

Obviously anybody will want the best out of their guitar and thats with playability and sound. I read that Joe uses 11-52 (I have used these for a while) and Highish action (which his guitar tech said in a video it isnt really high for a guitar player who plays a lot)... and Also a straight neck with no relief.

What i am wondering is if Joe, or anybody else with this sort of setup experiences fret buzz? I am i hard hitter so i do expect a little regardless of how much relief and bridge height i set... But i also remember Joe saying about the guitar sounding best unplugged to ensure a great sound plugged in. But i have also heard a lot of people saying "If you cant hear it through the amp then dont worry about it".

Does anybody have this set up with absolutely no buzz? Or is it just normal. I understand if i sound quite paranoid about buzz in this!

I suggest you take it to a tech and have him adjust it to your liking and the way you play. I was fortunate recently to play Joes skinner and I asked him what strings and he said 11-52. It played beyond amazing. Also for me a guitar is worthy of plugging into a amp if it sings unplugged. If it is acoustically correct you are half way there.
My to cents
Good luck
cheers Ron

A question for you Ron. I know the aged Skinners came with 11-52 but what are the in between gauges...? I use Ernie Ball but they don't seem to do sets of this gauge, in fact I'm struggling to find somebody who does. Any suggestions...? Cheers.

JB shows: Newcastle 2015, Hammersmith nights 3&4 2015, Calling Festival 2014, Newcastle 2012, Bridlington 2010
Guitars: Gibson Custom Shop Les Pauls; Skinnerburst #018 (Aged), Texas Burst (Heavy Aged), Fender Custom Shop Strat '63 Relic
Amps: Mini Jubilee Head, Carol-Ann Satin

R8 LEMONBURST's Website

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

R8 LEMONBURST wrote:
cindyron wrote:
GeorgeT993 wrote:

Hello everybody!!

Hope you all are well!

I know there are a lot of questions about Joe's set up, strings and neck adjustment and what not and i have seen what he has posted. It was helped... however i have been wondering about something.

Obviously anybody will want the best out of their guitar and thats with playability and sound. I read that Joe uses 11-52 (I have used these for a while) and Highish action (which his guitar tech said in a video it isnt really high for a guitar player who plays a lot)... and Also a straight neck with no relief.

What i am wondering is if Joe, or anybody else with this sort of setup experiences fret buzz? I am i hard hitter so i do expect a little regardless of how much relief and bridge height i set... But i also remember Joe saying about the guitar sounding best unplugged to ensure a great sound plugged in. But i have also heard a lot of people saying "If you cant hear it through the amp then dont worry about it".

Does anybody have this set up with absolutely no buzz? Or is it just normal. I understand if i sound quite paranoid about buzz in this!

I suggest you take it to a tech and have him adjust it to your liking and the way you play. I was fortunate recently to play Joes skinner and I asked him what strings and he said 11-52. It played beyond amazing. Also for me a guitar is worthy of plugging into a amp if it sings unplugged. If it is acoustically correct you are half way there.
My to cents
Good luck
cheers Ron

A question for you Ron. I know the aged Skinners came with 11-52 but what are the in between gauges...? I use Ernie Ball but they don't seem to do sets of this gauge, in fact I'm struggling to find somebody who does. Any suggestions...? Cheers.

Hi
Curt Mangan string will supply you with any custom set you like. I suggest whatever you get make sure they are pure nickel.
I use them on all my guitars. They work great for me but like anything else guitar it is how they feel in your hands. But try them out. They are not cheap but most things worth it are not. cheers Ron
http://www.curtmangan.com

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Teesside, UK
  • Registered: 2013-03-10
  • Posts: 193

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

cindyron wrote:
R8 LEMONBURST wrote:
cindyron wrote:

I suggest you take it to a tech and have him adjust it to your liking and the way you play. I was fortunate recently to play Joes skinner and I asked him what strings and he said 11-52. It played beyond amazing. Also for me a guitar is worthy of plugging into a amp if it sings unplugged. If it is acoustically correct you are half way there.
My to cents
Good luck
cheers Ron

A question for you Ron. I know the aged Skinners came with 11-52 but what are the in between gauges...? I use Ernie Ball but they don't seem to do sets of this gauge, in fact I'm struggling to find somebody who does. Any suggestions...? Cheers.

Hi
Curt Mangan string will supply you with any custom set you like. I suggest whatever you get make sure they are pure nickel.
I use them on all my guitars. They work great for me but like anything else guitar it is how they feel in your hands. But try them out. They are not cheap but most things worth it are not. cheers Ron
http://www.curtmangan.com

Ok, I'll check out the site. Any idea of the string gauges. I'll guess at 11 14 18 30 42 52. The Skinner is a really good guitar, it played great straight out the case, I want to get the right strings as I'm so pleased with how it plays I I don't want to spoil a good thing. Cheers for the info Ron.

JB shows: Newcastle 2015, Hammersmith nights 3&4 2015, Calling Festival 2014, Newcastle 2012, Bridlington 2010
Guitars: Gibson Custom Shop Les Pauls; Skinnerburst #018 (Aged), Texas Burst (Heavy Aged), Fender Custom Shop Strat '63 Relic
Amps: Mini Jubilee Head, Carol-Ann Satin

R8 LEMONBURST's Website

  • Rich85
  • Rich85
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: Australia
  • Registered: 2014-04-02
  • Posts: 50

Re: Question about Joe's Les Pauls

D'Addario make an 11-52 set


http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetai … tom__11_52

Les Paul Geek, nut, obsessed etc. etc.