sh1t sounding guitar(help needed)

[dgo1212]

Decided today to give the old Wesley a go as I'ts been neglected since I got a fender,only once I started playing it I remembered why I bought the fender in the first place,the Wesley sounds sh1t.I know i'ts a cheap guitar but it didn't sound half as bad when I first got it,gradually the sound has gone very dull and bassy.

Have tried new strings,adjusted tuning,tightened bridge after noticing the screws were loose and lifted the pickups(then lowered them again as it made no differance),I thought it may have been a pickup problem but it even sounds sh1t when the amps not turned on so ruled it out.Other than the tuners on the bridge(which I daren't adjust) is there anything else adjustable that could be causing the problem,I wouldn't bother with it if I'd bought it my self as I have two better guitars but the missus bought me it as a b/day present and I feel a bit guilty about not playing it,and to be fair it played quite well when it was new,any help appreciated

[MarJay]

Take it to a decent guitar tech to have them look at it. If you don't know what you're doing its very hard to improve a guitar. Usually local guitar teachers are pretty good techs too, but even if they aren't, they'll know a good one.

Similarly with guitar shops, but the problem with guitar shops is that they want your business so they may just try to sell you new strings or offer to sort your guitar themselves at a high cost. The best guitar shops would probably point you in the right direction though. Obviously you need to realise that the people in the shop aren't necessarily the best people to sort it.
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[Flip]

Raising & lowering the pickups does make a difference.

[dgo1212]

As much as it's pissing me off I really can't bin it,or sell it,think the missus would be deeply offended.

Replaced strings with ernie ball super slinky's(9-42),not sure what the gauge of the old strings were but the ones I've used are the same as the ones I have on my other guitars

[Flip]

Super slinky's are decent enough strings. I used them for years before moving up to gauge 10's (Regular slinky I think. Yellow packet).

Keep it to keep your other half happy. I have a squire which I can't stand to play any more. Might take it back to my folks house and lob in my old room.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Compare its sustain to your Strat (unplugged) Pluck the D string and press your ear to the body...count the seconds. Under 10 seconds with new strings would make me think its the build and or woodtype. Adding heavier strings (11's) will give you more tone.
Why not raise the action, set the intonation and use it for slide.
Or if it sustains nicely (my AM Strat with trashed 9's make 20 secs) add some new higher impedance pickups.

Pat
Won't part with any of my guitars
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[Flip]

[UnknownStuntm...]

Another thing overlooked often is the screws holding the neck on. Loosen the strings then crank the feckers right up. They need to be TIGHT. Don't round the screws off though!

Also, if it's got a trem, you could check the pivot points for crap. On older guitars the pivots break down with rust or just natural wear. Even if they're starting to go, you can sort out some sustain issues by cleaning them up with a file. Don't forget to check the intonation after you've done this though.

[Cigaro]

Take it to a tech and have them do a truss rod adjustment and check the intonation. (This shouldn't cost you more than £20, last time I had it done it was £12). Also have them put a new set of Ernie Balls on (there is a right and a wrong way to put strings on!)

[Hobes]

It's also worth checking the nut to see what sort of state it's in. If there are any rough edges in the string slots then file them down, you can even use a graphite pencil in the slots to help the string slide over the nut once it's done.

I still believe that a cheap guitar is always going to sound like a cheap guitar. You could upgrade the pick-ups, but if you were only going to play it now and again, would it really be worth it?

Not sure what sort of music you like to play but there is certainly a gazzilion pick-ups out there to choose from. Personally I have EMG's (81 and 85's) in 4 of my guitars and a Seymour Duncan in the other one.

I've always loved EMG's and think they are infinitely better than anything else I've tried, but although they are suited to me and my playing style, you might hate them.


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[GhostRider]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

[Flip]

Years ago, I borrowed an electric guitar with acoustic strings on it. That was very hard work. Although I could play like a demon when I went back to 9's.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Best training i had was playing a Marlin Acoustic. Horrendous pile of shit. Tiny neck width. Prior to this i'd learnt on a Spanish Concert guitar. Very wide neck and high action. I can still kill an elephant with 2 fingers

Here's a pic of my piece of crap. Lovingly handpainted and pencil and biro inked by my friend. I lacquered it. Upgraded the tuners, changed the nut and set it up the best it would go.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/Untitled-1.jpg

Its still terrible, but is great for when i need some inspiration. Pick it up and i play it differently, which sometimes leads to new music.


Pat
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Hobes]

I got my 1st guitar 16 years ago, it was a black Encore with a single humbucker and was about £75 from Argos. Possibly one of the worst playing/sounding guitar's in history, but I didn't care, as far as I was concerned I WAS Slash!!

I've gone through various different guitars through the years including an old Sunn Strat copy, an old Ibanez Roadster II, an Ibanez S series and some other cheap and cheerful things.

I currently have:

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Ibanez Joe Satriani JS-100 (The cheap one!)

B.C.Rich NJ Series Virgin (Stop sniggering at the back!)

An Ibanez K7

Dean Razorback 7

I'd be interested to know what gear you's lot all have.


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[Cigaro]

I have a few others but the one I actually use is a Yamaha E-series bass. Blue, scratched and dinged to fuck (had it since I was 7), volume and pickup knobs don't work but it plays like an absolute dream nontheless having just been setup and with light-gauge strings. Use it for gigging - I play in a band called the Urban Valley Chickens.

[Flip]

Had a few over the years, (Epiphone, BC Rich, Encore) only ones that I still are a Squire strat which I don't like and Yamaha RGX which I picked up cheap and love. Although I want EMG 81/85's in it.\m/

[Hobes]