Please excuse me for the long post....

I've been having some problems with my guitar from time to time that requires setup, but every time I take it to a local tech I end up feeling like the money were wasted and not getting the result I wanted. I've been searching for too long and wasted too much money, I'm almost giving up finding a "decent" tech who really knows what he/she is doing here in Bangkok. Now it seems like my only option, and as some other guitarists around here suggested, is to learn to do the guitar setup by myself. And that's exactly what I've been thinking too, I mean, to be able to do a decent guitar setup by myself. That's quite awesome, not only it will save myself a lot of money to buy other guitar stuffs like effects or etc, I can actually set it up step by step and try it out at the same time and make sure it fits my needs however I like (I think this is one huge advantage that you might not get if you take it to a tech). And I've seem lots and lots of video tutorials on Youtube, step-by-step instructions on Google, and of course I can even ask here on the forum if I get stuck.

BUT my only concern is, as a total beginner, sad to say... but the easiest, most simple setup like changing strings, I can't even do it myself to be honest. I guess I've been relying on others too much in the past. AND I certainly don't have the money to purchase another cheap guitar for myself to mess around with. Besides, cheap guitars may not be the same setup like my Fender Stratocaster.

Long story short, my point is, I don't have the confidence to get into my expensive "Fender 57 Reissue Stratocaster Maple Neck Made In Japan Since 1993" right away with no setup experience at all, well at least to me it's really expensive, and it's my best buddy. I can't afford to make any mistakes on it. Because first of all, like I said, I'm almost giving up finding a good tech here in Bangkok. So basically no one will be able to fix the damage I have done. And second of all, I'll not have enough money to buy another one, that's for sure. So what do you guys think? Should I just go for it and risk the chance of either making my guitar worst or better? (I'm talking about stuffs like getting into the guitar and adjusting the truss rod and some major adjustments here that could really damage the guitar if it goes wrong.) Extremely tough decision for me, because if I do it right by luck it will be great, problem solved, but if I do it wrong, I'm total a dead man. LOL

BTW. If you guys have a good site that explains about guitar setup (any knowledge about guitar setup) really clearly for total beginner like me, and it worked out well for you, please share so I can take a look and try to decide if it's too complicated for me or not. Cheers : )

TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS I HAVE AT THE MOMENT

Abnormal Super Loud Buzzing Problem
I have no problem with the 60 cycle single coil hum, because when I play on a decent amp that has a ground wire. The hum would be barely noticeable while playing. However, something wrong about my Stratocaster that once in a while the buzz would go extremely loud in "All five switch positions". Even positions 2 and 4 that should act something like a humbucker has the exact same amount of extremely loud annoying buzz comparing to positions 1, 3 and 5. I even changed to a new set of Lindy Fralin Blues Special pickup recently that has what they call the "reverse wound". And this super loud buzzing noise problem still continues to occur very often. It's like, I plug my guitar into the amp, any amp, I'll hear these 60 cycle hum that seems absolutely normal and doesn't bother me much, but a few minutes later, the super loud buzzing noise would just suddenly come out of nowhere that I can't even hear my playing clearly. Even if I try to point the guitar in different directions the amount of super loud buzzing noise is still exactly the same. It wouldn't decrease at all. I've been experiencing this problem continuously since I bought the guitar second-handed. It's getting really annoying. What do you guys think? Is it loosen wire inside that should be solder again? (BTW. what are some ways to decrease buzzing other than changing to humbucker pickup / changing the plate? Is shielding going to help much in reducing hum?)

Abnormal Super Tight Strings Tension
"I used to be able to bend in tune", and the .10 gauge strings on my Stratocaster were a bit loosen that I can bend comfortably in tune for hours of playing. However, after I change to a new set of Lindy Fralin Blues Special Pickup recently, the tech changed the strings to new ones and might have done something with the setup as well, the strings tension becomes extremely tight now that I can barely bend in tune and my fingers get killed very fast. Even when I go back down to .9 gauge strings which should be relatively easy to bend. I really don't think it's my lack of practice problem, because I've been playing for a pretty long time already, and I practice very often. Point is, I used to be able to bend in tune, I still can now, with other guitars, except mine... something is wrong with the setup...

Okay, one,
DUDE!!! You're scared of messing up your guitar, to be honest, that is a good approach, meaning you will take your time with it. Guitar setups are easy if you know what you're doing. Of course, I'm not one to talk, I beat my guitars, accidentally of course, but the dents, yup, that was me.

Only way you can mess up that guitar truthfully though, is if you're forceful with it, and/or use the wrong tools. Screwdrivers with number 1,2,and 3 phillips heads, a couple flat head screw drivers, a good allen key set, and a string winder, which are cheap at guitar shops, all you're gonna need for a setup, unless like me, you gotta polish it as well.... Just take your time with it, only expensive break is if you crack the wood of your guitar.

60 cycle hum? I'd say pull the pick-guard, and put shielding tape, it's cheap enough to do. This could be your amp as well, or even the house outlet, as the house may not be grounded properly.

The string tension? Well, could be the way the action is set.... Also could be the use of steel strings instead of nickel..... Couldn't tell you, but only you can tell by doing your own setup. See how it feels after setting it up with your favorite brand of strings. Or you can just send it to be setup again, and specify you want "low" action

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ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

Do not mess with the truss rod adjustment. Since it is the biggest most obvious thing, sometimes it's the first thing a beginner starts to twist on. You can have a wallhanger really quick if you do not know what you are doing. Leave that adjustment to a pro or until you are the pro.

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Stage Guitars: '80s Thin line LP Custom, '70 LP Standard, '83 Squier Black Headstock Strat w/ Dan Torres pickups, '59 Black Danelectro DC, sometimes others.

Pedal Board: Nady UHF 10 -> TU2 -> Rocktron Big Crush -> 70s MXR Phase 100 -> Cry Baby -> Bad Monkey -> Early '80s Rat -> Early '80s Ibanez CS 9 -> Ibanez DE 7 -> Behringer Dr 100 Stereo Reverb

Stage amps: '63 Blonde Tremolux w/ two original 2X10 cabinets with a '60 Ampeg Rocket/18 watt VTB Marshall clone/ Epi VJ into a Mashall 1965A

Yes you should most definitely do your own set ups.

The internet is your friend.

Problem No1 - Buzz

There is a decent chance that it is corrossion on your jack socket barrel. Especially if you live near water. I'd start there and check all the wiring. Losing a bridge ground (usually attached to your tremolo claw) is another prime suspect.

Speaking of Prime suspects:

Problem No2 - Dud setup.

Take it back to the dude and tell him your issue(s). Seems like they:

A/ Screwed something up. I suspect it involves the tremolo bridge and assembly as this will make all sorts of odd things happen with string tension.

B/ *ABUSING A GUITAR TECH DISCLAIMER* Failed to communicate with you about the work they performed in any meaningful way. Guitars are set up for particular strings. Slapping on any old set is total poodle arse. If I changed a set of pickups and tested it and had a nasty buzz I would either:
i/ Find it and fix it.
ii/ Ring the client and ask for instructions.
iii/ Suggest that the PU change was an expensive and unnecessary step.

None of this would have been necessary because I would have:

i/ Discussed the whole issue of the instruments performance with you (buzzes, string choices, set-up requirments)
ii/ Tested the guitar to establish whether there was any issue that also needed to be addressed AND to give worthwhile feedback about the proposed job.
iii/ Charged you an idiot tax if you got in the way of yourself by being a douche during the conversation (I'm bad like that - Grouchy old tech).

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It might be worth checking whether your neck screws are tight.

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For the Abnormal Super Loud Buzzing Problem. Basically, I'm getting two kind of buzz at the same time, and if you imagine two kind of buzz coming out together at the same time it does sound very loud and annoying. The first type of buzz I'm getting is not so loud and only appears in position 1, 3 and 5. In position 2 and 4 with the reverse wound, it's almost silent, the buzz can be barely heard. I believe this type of buzz is the normal 60 cycle hum single coil hum, which I don't mind at all, I understand that's just how single coil pickup acts, there's no way for it to be totally silent without any buzz. The second type of buzz I'm getting appears in ALL five positions. And it's MUCH louder than the first type of normal buzzing sound. And this type of buzz is not always there like the first type, it comes out once in a while. However, what I forgot to mention in the previous posts is that, when I touch the strings or the cable's metal part with my hand. This second type of super loud buzzing noise will be gone and only left with the first type of buzz. Which someone mentioned as well: "If it's stopped by touching the strings with your hand, it's likely to be a general shielding problem." So my conclusion is my Stratocaster probably has a loosen wire (Although giving the guitar a bit of a shake didn't seem to have an effect?), and it's pretty bad, the buzzing is really loud, if I let my hands off the strings while playing, I think that buzz is going to scare people and at the very worst ruin the song lol. Now I know where the problem is for the abnormal super loud buzzing, I believe? How do I know which is the loosen wire that needs to be solder again? And I'm not so sure if I can fix this one on my own...

For the Abnormal Super Tight Strings Tension. I used a guitar tuner so I'm pretty sure it's in tune, and I'm still using DAddario as always. Yes my Stratocaster has a tremelo bridge but I don't have a tremolo and never used it before, I don't know how to find out if it's a locked down bridge though? If it's locked, does that mean I have to unlock it? I'm still trying to find out how to loosen up the tremolo bridge and raising the action to see if it solves the problem.

BTW. Thankfully, yesterday I was introduced to a guitar tech by another foreigner guitarist that also lives in Bangkok. He gave me the tech's number & e-mail and said that the tech has helped him with some construction and repair issues and is a guitar builder himself. I e-mailed the tech just asking him if he could do some shielding like this for me: Fender Stratocaster- Shielding for Hum Reduction ,and he replied "shop open tuesday we have copper tape also carbon powder, but im an electronic engineer many fact are not like those webpage said believe me." Hmm he sounds like he knows what he's doing eh? lol I hope... I'm thinking I should still definitely at the very least learn how to change strings myself. But perhaps I should mention the two main problems I have to the tech and have him figure out where the loosen wire is and solve the tight strings tension problem for me? Hesitating... I'm just praying and hoping this time I'm not going to end up feeling like money wasted again like always lol. Oh and, these kind of problems that I have aren't huge problems right? They shouldn't cost much if I let the tech fix it right?

The abnormal buzzing is a missing bridge ground you should be able to fix it easily.

The string tension thing is quite strange but it sounds (over the internet via text) like a much heavier gauge string has been used on a floating bridge and the bridge is now sitting up out of the body. If I had the guitar in my hands I could tell you in a trice.

The guitar almost certainly DOES NOT NEED additional sheilding (unless being noiseless is your thing). Fixing the missing bridge ground will fix everything (relating to buzzing sounds).

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My Gear , please wack with the side of your hand for normal service.
Bringing you EVIL VOODOO WAX MAGIC since 2009

You must run a lot of gain to have this problem of buzzing in all 5 positions! That or your amp is quite loud, or you're just obsessive compulsive about it. If you touch the strings, and the buzzing stops, it should be good. If the strings don't stop the buzzing, and you have to touch the cable to get it to stop, it's a loose ground in the guitar as mentioned before.... Something tells me it's your amp if it's this annoying, try a ground lift plug when plugging the amp in.... Could be your house wiring. And in positions 1,3, and 5, that's how single coils are. They get hum, the shielding will help some, but not all of it.

__________________
ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

theres a lot of tutorials in youtube on how to setup guitars, and on how do i play guitar.. most of them are reliable..

Dude, cut the crap.
It's easier than hell.
First try to find the spec for your speciffic guitar either online or in the manual. take a Capo, or finger like i use, (Same differnce) and hold the sixth string down on the last fret, 22 or 24. take the correct feller gauge and at the 8th fret stick the feller gauge in between the neck and the "normally" new strings and if it is touching the top of the fret wire and the bottom of the 6th string your good (all my guitars are 10/1000's, but others might be differnt, and if one of mine where differnt i'd still make it 10/1000's) if it isn't right, turn the truss rod (with allen wench) at most 1/2 of a turn in any dirrection. if it gets closer you know it is the right way, keep adjusting till it is about 10/1000's from the neck.

Don't waste your money on pro setup, IT'S EASY TO DO IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, if you don't, find out or go waste your money, make your choice.

You do realize his screen name is olddawg, right? That means he's probably seen it happen more often than not, over the course of many years. I'd listen to him, but hey, I'm just me.

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crew

Selling BOSS FW-3. I live in Brazil, mind you, so prepare yourself for $30-ish for shipping and waiting. Local pickup available, along with beautiful beaches and cheap bitches.

My only point was that one should learn all of the other adjustments first. Intonation, trem float, string height at the bridge, pickup height, etc. The easy and routine ones. Then tackle the nut dressing and truss rod adjustments. I have guitars that are 30+ years old that have never needed a truss adjustment. I have a Dano that's 52 years old that has never needed one. When I have a guitar that needs a truss adjustment I take it to a luthier that does it every day. Some guitars it isn't a big deal. If the truss hasn't been touched in years you better know what you're doing. If the neck has a twist, you better know what you're doing. And yes, I've seen people, and not just kids, have a simple setup problem and immediately go to the truss rod because the guitar came with the tool and it was the easiest to get to.......usually stripping the threads, bowing the neck, snapping the truss or other sad mischief. It sounds like gearman knows what he's doing. My point is to wait until you know what you're doing and know that the truss is the problem before you mess with it. Every guitar is a compromise and no two are the same IMHO.

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Stage Guitars: '80s Thin line LP Custom, '70 LP Standard, '83 Squier Black Headstock Strat w/ Dan Torres pickups, '59 Black Danelectro DC, sometimes others.

Pedal Board: Nady UHF 10 -> TU2 -> Rocktron Big Crush -> 70s MXR Phase 100 -> Cry Baby -> Bad Monkey -> Early '80s Rat -> Early '80s Ibanez CS 9 -> Ibanez DE 7 -> Behringer Dr 100 Stereo Reverb

Stage amps: '63 Blonde Tremolux w/ two original 2X10 cabinets with a '60 Ampeg Rocket/18 watt VTB Marshall clone/ Epi VJ into a Mashall 1965A

The issue I think is that adjusting parameters such as intonation and string height give instant results and are easily reversible...it can take several minutes or hours with a truss rod adjustment before you know whether it's worked, and of course if you do it wrong you can break the rod or the neck itself.

The worst that can happen with intonation or string height is a broken saddle screw. Far easier to fix than a broken neck!

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Guitar rig: CIJ Fender Jazzmaster/CIJ Fender Mustang -> TU-3 -> RV-5 -> OD-3 -> custom IC Muff -> PS-2 -> DD-3 -> RE-20 -> LS-2 -> Fender '65 DRRI & Mesa/Boogie F-50

Bass rig: Fender MIM Jazz Bass -> TU-2 -> RAT 2 -> Sansamp BDDI -> RV-3

"...So now you know the true secret to great tone: all the espresso you can handle."

Sorry for the Misunderstanding of what you where trying to say, I would agree to try those adjustments first if you have a problem. but I bought a guitar from the 80's Squier with a Floyd Rose (not sure the exact year) off ebay, and I changed from 9 to 12 gauge strings and it gave me problem after problem. just to mention if you do change string gauge, there no way around doing pretty much all of the adjustments. Only truss rod adjustment i've ever done to this day.

Floyd Rose Users: ESP with Floyd Rose Setup: 7 Videos in Series - YouTube
Best and Most Reliable one i've found.

Strat Tremolo Users: Fender Stratocaster Setup: 9 Videos in Series - YouTube