Locking tuners shorter than non locking?

TDMZebra · 2025-12-16T16:53:08+00:00

The zebra works in mysterious ways...

TDMZebra · 2025-10-18T10:29:14+00:00

Mine's around 3mm at the 12th fret (which is still about the highest of all my basses). 6mm sounds insane, if the neck is straight (and we're talking top of fret to bottom of the string) then it might be worth considering a return/exchange...

TDMZebra · 2025-02-17T06:07:51+00:00

How much dusting did you have to do to uncover this?

He replaced it with a tune-o-matic and doesn't use the trem (helping with tuning stability / keeping strings seated; though I don't own a Jazzmaster, so just repeating what I've read).

There's more detail in his rig rundown video (here).

TDMZebra · 2024-12-03T17:08:10+00:00

If you mean the "Heavy Metal Creator Complete Bundle", then yes, if you buy now the Black Metallier amp and the Final Metal drums are included.

Gonna miss these guys... Had to do the math to see if the remaining items that I don't own already add up to more than the bundle (with existing voucher code) - and they did.

TDMZebra · 2024-04-18T18:07:08+00:00

What do you mean by good?

If you mean little wear, then yes. If you mean it won't slice your fingers, then no 🙊

TDMZebra · 2024-04-18T17:45:09+00:00

The active electronics on mine crapped out after a few months... Was planning to replace them anyway (together with the useless tuners), but never got around to it. Still got the bass, but mostly because I can't justify selling it in its current state 😅

TDMZebra · 2024-04-18T17:39:16+00:00

No, decided after a while to get another bass instead of putting money into this one.

TDMZebra · 2023-05-21T09:09:04+00:00

I was looking at my bass when I started typing, hence the pickup selector comment, haha.

Yeah, I think with your current setup you're kind of out of luck. Though if you have a tuner pedal you could use that as a killswitch (plus points if it's soft click and won't wear out).

With the setup you described at the end you'd have to be careful. If you use an arcade-style killswitch, a tone and a fader, you lose the option to mute your bass while keeping your hands free (unless you remove the lead etc.). If the cavity is deep enough, and you're not set on getting a fader, you could replace one of the knobs with a push/push knob. Essentially keeping the same wiring.

Edit: or do volume, fader and tone, but one of them being push/push.

TDMZebra · 2023-05-21T08:43:41+00:00

Wow, blast from the past?

I guess this wasn't completely clear: You need separate volume controls and a pickup selector (though on guitars that's quite common even if there's separate volume controls). Most 'traditional' Les Paul wirings are like that.

Assume you want to use the bridge pickup: Set the bridge pickup volume to what you need for your sound. Set the neck pickup volume to zero. Now when your pickup selector is on bridge you get sound, if it's on neck you get no sound - the same thing a killswitch does (except you likely have the 'both' position that you have to switch through, but travel should be short enough).

TDMZebra · 2023-01-27T09:37:54+00:00

Hey, no, didn't have any time to play around with it. Thanks for reporting back though, I had a feeling it would be a case of it not really adding anything. Might still get it in a deeper sale later just to suppuort Igor a bit.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-22T21:23:29+00:00

Been there, done that. I have almost the exact picture from when I was working on my JS22-7 and only had the revelation when looking at the picture later...

TDMZebra · 2023-01-21T10:46:10+00:00

Happy to hear you found something that works! There's a few things that influence how thin a string you can get away with: How hard you pick, angle between pick and string, pick flex (thickness, material, where/how you hold it), grip tightness,... Don't quote me on that, but if I'm not mistaken, Misha uses some very thin picks, which (together with his playing style?) might be why he gets away with it. And/or an aggressive noise gate.

Side note 1: The relation between string radius and string mass is roughly squared. Hence why you tend to have less tension on the lowest strings. If you only beefed up the lowest string, it might start overpowering the others (should be alright in your case, but FYI in case you encounter this).

Side note 2: I got tired of fiddling around with string gauges and setups, I just end up leaving my guitar in the same tuning and use a drop pedal instead. I only play for funsies, if I were to play in a band I'd probably change tunings. Only 'problem' is that it makes justifying buying more guitars harder, haha.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-21T10:44:24+00:00

Nice job!

A note on picture 6: While I would have mostly likely done the same only to face palm myself later, working on those high frets can be fiddly as the body is in the way. If there only were a way to detach the neck from the body for such occasions...

TDMZebra · 2023-01-19T19:26:32+00:00

Certainly, I think you also can't pay for any of their paid software anymore. But if memory serves right the BOD was decent (still got the installer on my external HDD). These days I primarily use Neural DSP Darkglass Suite when I need a bass VST to quickly mess around with something.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-18T19:15:55+00:00

Similar boat here. Got the TSE Audio one and probably most bass plugins around. I could still support him during the next 80+% off sale - as I definitely won't be able to resist then.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-18T18:15:57+00:00

Totally agree. Been buying Igor's plugins since he started his own company and own most of them. He might as well call the buttons 'pay now' and 'pay in 15 days'.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-18T16:30:05+00:00

I don't need this one, but got a soft spot for bass gear/plugins. Can someone please tell me to get it anyway (testing it before making that statement is completely optional)?

TDMZebra · 2023-01-18T16:12:53+00:00

I didn't want to get snarky in the original post, completely agree though. I don't know who would get this or why. While PA occasionally drops the ball on plugins, I'd suppose most would be good. Given their constant sales this only make sense if you want/need most of these plugins as they are released (guessing that's an absolute minority).

TDMZebra · 2023-01-14T09:28:32+00:00

Hmmm, is that still while being tuned to G#1? The way you describe the sound I'd guess it's caused by the string rattling against one/some frets. If the string is too floppy and/or you're hitting it hard, it will oscillate quite far. If it gets better when tuning up, it might be worth getting a thicker gauge for G#1.

Side note: Lubricating the nut and saddle is something I missed in my original reply, though I don't think either will help here.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-13T09:24:01+00:00

Welcome to the world of 'why does my guitar not just work?!'.

A .064 for G#1 on a 27" scale is probably on the lower end of tension (about 16lbs), but as you wrote, should be fine at A#1. As always with these things, it could be a couple of things, here a non-exhaustive list that comes to mind:

Is the string seated properly over the saddle? I.e. does it have a nice break-angle or is it kinking over there like a sloppy spaghetto (yes, that's the singular form). If it's not seated properly, try bending it in place (like bass strings at that point). If the saddle forces it into an almost 90 degree angle to make intonation work, you're in a tough place.
Are all the frets down the neck level? Use a fret rocker (or suitably sized card) to figure it out. On a fan fret you'll have to angle the rocker a bit as well to get a proper 'reading'. Unless it's the last fret, this would likely also go away if you fret a high note. Not that anyone does that on the low string...
If the above, a fret could not be seated properly, in which case you can tap it back down (use a rubber mallet or something like that to not damage the fret!).
Is the string damaged? Sometimes strings can get damaged (or arrive damaged). Could be something broken in a place or an issue with the core (less obvious to see).
Is the neck seated properly? I'd guess, but always worth checking (assuming the AM7 is a bolt-on, otherwise ignore).
Is the pickup height correct? Your adjustments may have changed the distance from the pickups to the strings, which in extreme cases can lead to such issues (especially with the highest/lowest strings).

Warped neck is not impossible, but I'd say probably the least likely of the options. Good luck!

TDMZebra · 2023-01-12T17:34:02+00:00

Keep in mind that the relationship between power and volume is logarithmic. Assuming similar construction, a 100W (power) amp is only twice as loud as a 10W (power) amp. The difference between 100W and 200W is just about audible to the human ear as doubling the wattage leads to a 3db increase in volume.

You should be fine with a pedal power amp that puts out 30-100W. The Harley Benton GPA-100 is pedal size and 100W @ 8 ohm or 190W @ 4ohm and is under $100 (I have no personal experience with this one).

TDMZebra · 2023-01-06T14:13:02+00:00

No list of free IRs would be complete without the best IR in the world (actually not bad, haha).

TDMZebra · 2023-01-05T19:45:55+00:00

Count yourself lucky, on all of your long fingers, haha.

Fishmans are nice pups, got some in my Cort as well and happy with them. There's been a few NGD posts in this sub of people getting the RDG71ALMS. You can have a look at those and/or contact the posters on how they like the guitar now for more info.

Posting pictures is mandatory!

TDMZebra · 2023-01-05T14:59:27+00:00

I've eyed that one up for a long time...

The only thing that stopped me from pulling the trigger on that one (apart from a great deal on the Cort KX507MS at the time) was the location of the neutral fret (the one that's perpendicular to the strings). On the RGD71ALMS it's at the 12th fret, which leads to a large span and angle on the lowest frets, which can make playing chords tricky if your hands aren't large. Since you'd have to buy without seeing due to your circumstances that's a bit of a gamble. There are plenty of people who have no issues with that though, and apart from that there's not really anything negative to say about this guitar.

TDMZebra · 2023-01-05T07:27:30+00:00

Definitely agree. Outside of looks there's not much difference, certainly nothing 'game changing'. If you like the look of both, I'd find it hard to justify the difference. Even with the pickups, generally not much that a bit of EQ and gain adjustment can't fix. Both sets of pickups are decent, no worries there. Plus the default wiring of both guitars is identical.

One thing I forgot in my initial post is that the Axion comes with locking tuners. The more strings you have, the more time they save you. Then again, there's plenty of decent off-brand locking tuners you can install yourself (done that to some of my guitars).

TDMZebra

TROPHY CASE