1 Topic by RoadcaseBoy (edited by RoadcaseBoy 2015-09-25 08:58:37)

  • From: Seymour Duncan's Hometown, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-03-05
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Topic: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

Very cool video Stewart-MacDonald (guitar parts / tools / supplies) emailed out the other day.  Dan is a world renowned guitar repairman ... and visited with Joe & Mike backstage during the 3 Kings stop in Dayton.  In part of the video Mike shows his restringing technique on the original “Lucy,” the Flying V Dan built for Albert King in 1972.

Dan Erlewine visits backstage with the great blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa and his highly experienced tech, Mike Hickey. Joe talks guitars with Dan, and Mike shares two guitar setup tips.

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Trade_Sec … newsletter

"I was in Space for less than 2 weeks … and suddenly Jeaniene’s back … half the Band is off the gd wagon … we have comedians opening for us … and the nice kid that ran our website is now a kleptof’nmaniac.  Boy ... did you guys miss me!!"  Phil Valentine - Road Manager - Staton House Band

JBLP#251 (unaged) ... thank you Ron.
  • Devan
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

Cool video! Thanks for posting.

I've got a ton of StewMac products around here for setups and fret work.  Really nice gear, and I enjoy getting their catalog in the mail every few months.

I've also got three of Dan's books on guitar setups - highly recommended for anyone who is looking to do their own basic or intermediate setup work.

Funny, I actually emailed Dan Erlewine directly a few years back to ask him some advice about an Ibanez AR-300 that I have which was suffering from binding rot.  I never expected him to reply, but within 24 hours he replied back to me with some good advice.  Total respect for a guy of his caliber who is willing to read and respond to emails from ordinary guitarists.

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Registered: 2010-10-19
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

It's really interesting, even if it is just a stealthy way to advertise StewMac products, but two things about that video:

1, Is it just me, or does Mike have a really complicated way of wrapping the string on the post especially when he says he does it for speed?

2, I know they are both expert techs, who've fixed more guitars than I ever will. But the "loose truss rod = lose tone" sounds like the type of bull you'd hear over at TGP.

  • From: Central North Carolina
  • Registered: 2014-12-31
  • Posts: 166

Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

petew wrote:

It's really interesting, even if it is just a stealthy way to advertise StewMac products, but two things about that video:

1, Is it just me, or does Mike have a really complicated way of wrapping the string on the post especially when he says he does it for speed?

2, I know they are both expert techs, who've fixed more guitars than I ever will. But the "loose truss rod = lose tone" sounds like the type of bull you'd hear over at TGP.

It's really not that complicated when you get it done. Doing the string on the post like that helps preventing slipping.

As far as the truss rod I think a straighter neck helps with the resonance of the instrument and. Playability. I could be wrong though

Guitars: Gibson 2015 LP Traditional in Honeyburst, Gibson LP Studio Deluxe, Fender American Deluxe Telecaster, MIM Fender Strat with Dimarzio Areas, MIM Fender Hss Strat,  Epiphone Sheraton II, Breedlove Acoustic
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  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

petew wrote:

It's really interesting, even if it is just a stealthy way to advertise StewMac products, but two things about that video:

1, Is it just me, or does Mike have a really complicated way of wrapping the string on the post especially when he says he does it for speed?

2, I know they are both expert techs, who've fixed more guitars than I ever will. But the "loose truss rod = lose tone" sounds like the type of bull you'd hear over at TGP.

complicated not at all and it locks the string and makes for easy changing. Try it you may like it.
Hi
Truss rod well if you loosen the truss rod less tension on joint equals less contact. It is basically a big treaded screw. What happens if you loosen a screw?  Some LP have bigger stronger truss rods and their tendions are securely fastened to body, these have incredible tone and the truss rod is robust. Collectors choice LP and if you have Historic Makeovers in Fla do a complete makeover they install a massive truss rod and incredible secure the neck to body. These guitars are amazing resonating instruments.
my two cents
cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
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  • Registered: 2010-02-01
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

I've been using the same stringing technique for a few years now. Works great, quick to do and helps with tuning stability. I got it from one of my set up DVD's.

  • From: Moncton, NB Canada
  • Registered: 2013-02-03
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

Great video, wonderful techniques.

Steve

2011 Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio...among others.
Beacon Theater, New York, May 18, 2013/Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea, Feb. 17-21, 2015/3 Kings Tour, Bangor, ME, Aug. 12, 2015

8 Reply by RoadcaseBoy (edited by RoadcaseBoy 2015-09-27 10:35:52)

  • From: Seymour Duncan's Hometown, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-03-05
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

Saw the similar method explained by Gary Brawer for Dunlop on YouTube when researching different methods a couple of years back.  Can jump to the 2 minute mark ...

RESTRING: WITH GARY BRAWER - LES PAUL STYLE GUITAR (posted by jimdunlopusa)

https://youtu.be/_sAQcAlAeKU

So my post is not too far "off topic" ... here is a brief post Gary made on his website about Albert King bringing in his V for a refret years ago. smile

http://brawer.com/2015/05/my-conversati … bert-king/

"I was in Space for less than 2 weeks … and suddenly Jeaniene’s back … half the Band is off the gd wagon … we have comedians opening for us … and the nice kid that ran our website is now a kleptof’nmaniac.  Boy ... did you guys miss me!!"  Phil Valentine - Road Manager - Staton House Band

JBLP#251 (unaged) ... thank you Ron.
  • timb
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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

petew wrote:

2, I know they are both expert techs, who've fixed more guitars than I ever will. But the "loose truss rod = lose tone" sounds like the type of bull you'd hear over at TGP.

"Lose tone" is a bit of a voodoo way to put it, given that tone is such a subjective catch-all for everything, including stuff with no physical basis. (My favorite example is point-to-point hand-wired amps sounding different than an identical amp with the very same components connected via PCB traces.)

But they were talking about straightness of the neck, and how adding relief makes the the guitar "rubbery." That certainly makes sense, as raising the action and/or adding relief both increase the effective bending moment of the strings tuned to the same tension.

This happens because it moves the string tensile force further from the neutral axis of the neck under bending stress, increasing the bending moment.

timb's Website

10 Reply by Devan (edited by Devan 2015-09-27 17:24:37)

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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

petew wrote:

1, Is it just me, or does Mike have a really complicated way of wrapping the string on the post especially when he says he does it for speed?

It's not really *that* complicated IMO, but I have been using the even quicker 'Bill Baker' method of restringing for years and love it. (Video of it below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGLMy6DbpBc

I like that this method has NO loops at all, and the 'Z' bend through the post makes removal SO easy when it comes time to string change.  I haven't had a curly end go through my finger once since using this method! smile

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Registered: 2010-10-19
  • Posts: 190

Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

timb wrote:

But they were talking about straightness of the neck, and how adding relief makes the the guitar "rubbery." That certainly makes sense, as raising the action and/or adding relief both increase the effective bending moment of the strings tuned to the same tension.

This happens because it moves the string tensile force further from the neutral axis of the neck under bending stress, increasing the bending moment.

 

I guess that makes some sence, sometimes it seems there's too much "voodoo" around tone.

Devan wrote:
petew wrote:

1, Is it just me, or does Mike have a really complicated way of wrapping the string on the post especially when he says he does it for speed?

It's not really *that* complicated IMO, but I have been using the even quicker 'Bill Baker' method of restringing for years and love it. (Video of it below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGLMy6DbpBc

I like that this method has NO loops at all, and the 'Z' bend through the post makes removal SO easy when it comes time to string change.  I haven't had a curly end go through my finger once since using this method! smile

Yeah, that's how I do it too. I use that method with strats, with absolutly no slipping or other tunning issues caused by the floating trem.  Can't believe the way I used to do it with all kinds of crazy bends and knots around the post.

Anyway, didn't mean to sound like I was disregarding the way people do things. just genuinly curious for opinions.  I'm just used to the way I do it, and was intrigued by the way shown in the video.

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Re: Stewart-MacDonald / Dan Erlewine Backstage with Joe & Mike video

worth the bump

---------------

(If only I had 1% of Joe's guitar talent)