bobmirror

Ok thanks Bizman62, not what I wanted to hear (since that long curing time is inconvenient for my project), but very helpful… so maybe the rep from Minwax wasn’t as out to lunch as I was thinking. So, it’s seeming like curing time is completely independent from drying time… even regarding quantity used… unless your guitar projects are using many or thick layers of poly? What I’m going for right now is just two thin layers of spray poly (both applied within the 2 hour window) on an already finished surface.

Hi there just a question about Minwax Fast-Drying spray poly (semi-gloss). Any thoughts on how long it takes two layers of spray poly to totally cure? I asked Minwax directly but the guy said 30 days. I think this might be their default answer for any oil poly product though- shouldn't a very thin layer of spray poly dry and cure much faster than a thick coating of poly on a floor, for example?

Thanks for the info Ripthorn, just wondering about the significance of the extra row of lugs... is this then in effect the same as having two regular pots? (controlled with one knob though) In my impatience, I've already gone ahead and done a mod with a regular pot, though I might revise it in the future. I've noticed that there is "bleed" from my magnetic pickup line in my piezo pickup line (ie. even when the knob is turned 100% piezo, 0% magnetic pickups). Is it difficult to get total isolation of signals? (you mentioned that it would also happen with the tone circuit?) Also, one simpler question I had was: is a linear taper best for blending.... or should one still go for audio taper?

I've done a little minor soldering, but need to find out more or I might mess it up. I've created a wiring diagram of my Charvette guitar (the original wiring). (the coloring isn't related to the color of the wires at all... it's just an attempt at clarity) I tried substituting the piezo for the middle pickup... the level is fine but there's not enough control... (I can't blend it other than with the neck pickup at a mix of 50/50). I'm pretty sure I need a blend pot... Is there any difference between a blend pot and a volume pot or is it just how it's wired? Also... any recommendations as to where in the signal line I would solder? think I'll get a 250 kOhm pot tomorrow... -Lid555

thanks for the info Ripthorn, I'll break out the ole' soldergun this out this weekend... and see what kind of new guitar tone I come up with. -Lid555

I am posting this question to a number of forums since I'm not sure which are the best. As far as my experience with electronics, I am primarily a musician composer type, but I have soldered quite a few guitar cables in my day. I am looking at adding a piezo pickup to my electric guitar to extend the frequency range and to add a bit of "bite" to the overall sound. Cost is also a factor. I've done a test setup with two separate cables... (the piezo and the stock magnetic pickup being channeled into two tracks in the audio interface of my computer)... I liked the sound after adjusting the gain and correctly mixing the two inside my computer... but it's inconvenient to have to plug in two cables and have unbalanced volume levels right out of the guitar (since I want to be able to use standard guitar FX pedals, etc). I'm just wondering how difficult it would be to mess around in the electronics of my guitar... - to combine the two signals - to add a gain control to the piezo, and - probably to add an amplifier for the piezo as well (unless I can otherwise raise it to the same level as the magnetic pickup, maybe by installing the largest diameter piezo?). Anyone know how to go about this? Even pointing to relevant resources is greatly appreciated. - Lid555

I was more assuming that heavier gauge strings would oscillate less... Still I guess the diciding factor there is how much force is used to pick the strings. I'm thinking that heavier gauge strings would definitely be more noticeable when they did smack against the frets though. Primal, if you play your electric unplugged and play some thing with strong strumming.. does it then buzz?

I'm still digesting that article. So then the intonation gained by nut compensation must be very subtle.? I came across a couple potential $ saving methods on another forum(a tap guitar forum): Nut Blanks Go to the pet section of the store and get a dog bone. If you look around you can find really dense (cow shins? femurs?) that are a foot long or longer. K-Mart has bleached, sterilized ones. If you can build fretboards, etc. you can saw a blank out of a bone. I usually saw the knuckles off on a band saw, then saw it lengthwise. Then I saw out an over sized nut (or bridge inlay) and finish it up by sanding it to size. Put the sandpaper on a FLAT surface (glass works). Nut Files Also I use (believe it or not) a set of feeler gauges to cut nut slots. I just used a coarse file to rough up one edge of the gauges, and now I can cut a nut slot from .008 to .135, for about $5. Any thoughts?

from what i've heard so far... I'm not a fan of under-the-saddle pickups(I've only tried acoustics). I've rented a couple of expensive acoustics and tested their pickups and they sounded "quacky" like nasal somehow... very distinctive. I guess I'm hoping these were just cheap pickups on expensive guitars. Does anyone know if these pickups can get close to transparent? Or I guess that's why you suggest mixing the magnetic pickup sound with the piezo highs...somewhat masking?

yep. I'm adding the actual string sound to the amp sound. I like the high frequency/rhythmic content of the pick hitting the strings .... there's a lot of expressive dynamics there. I also like the feel of an acoustic guitar, so I'm actually quite alright with high action... of course I'm not much of a "shredder", & it suits my music. I actually read about this a few years ago....some group and producer trying this with good effect. I'm pleased with the outcome thus far. Also..I realize this would only work live with a low stage volume....(cage the drummer in plexiglass Maybe a very close range directional mic with a high pass filter added to the amped signal...? Trying to get back what pickups take away... I don't know ...maybe high end/expensive pickups are better? So.. it might only work for recording..we'll see.

thanks for the replies and information mattia....checked out your website...looks loaded with good info too. do you recommend the Buzz Feiten system or is it overkill (is a correctly filed nut good enough)?

I was thinking heavy guage strings would actually help if I tuned down... that since they're thicker strings they would somehow have less of a "vibrational range"... no? Sort of assuming that "the larger object is harder to move"... I also remember someone telling me that a lower guage would help with the intonation problems that arise when tuning down..but now that I think of it, that doesn't have much to do with buzzing...

I guess what I'm asking is: how much of a difference (and in what way) do correct nut slots make? I have 2 guitars (one acoustic, one electric), both are on the cheaper end (less than $200, and less than $500 respectively). I just recently found out that both have incorrectly filed nut slots (both are not deep enough). If I were to get a luthier to fix this (or invest time and $ to file them myself) what would the gains be? Would it more affect the tone or the playability of the instrument (or both equally?)

...that generally, an acoustic guitar is more difficult to play than an electric? If so..why? -bob

I'm trying to setup my elec guitr for buzzless playing for recording (I want to add a miked electric sound to the pickup sound) and have been having some problems. The tuning for the guitar is 1/2 step down (all strings) with "drop D" on the 6th string (so down to a Db) Additively, I like to play aggressively. I've put on some heavy guage strings (.012.......054) and the action is very high. It seems to help..to reduce the buzzing.. but there is still too much for my liking. Is this do-able with a regular guitar (a low end Charvel), or would one really have to have a custom built instrument? Any thoughts/comments? -B