refretting a Fender stratocaster PART 21 (a few final things to do)

[vspa22]

i have a 96' American Standard, last time i serviced it there was some kind of adjustment on the micro-tilt, so now there is a bigger gap between the end of the neck and the pickguard (before i used to keep my pick in between the two, now the pick slides away), what should i do ? leave like that or readjust it ? also fretting is not 100 % ok, in the higher notes, specially when bending aggresively, sustain is a bit cancelled by the frets,

[smbstressfest]

@vspa22 I would recommend adjusting the micro-tilt so that there is NO gap in the pocket whatsoever, UNLESS tweaking the "neck set" angle is required to get the action where you want it. You may very well be able to get the guitar playing just how you want it by only using the saddles. The reason for this is that once you create gap, over time the guitar could develop a rise in the "tongue" (fingerboard extension over the body) area. If this happens, you can get noting out just like you have.

[smbstressfest]

Now just because you're guitar is fretting out slightly, it doesn't mean that the micro-tilt is causing it. You could just have too low an action for the stock 9.5" radius on the strat. I'd really have to see the guitar to make that determination. But just be aware, gap in the neck pocket (even though the micro-tilt is much better than simply shimming with a guitar pick) can cause a rise and potentially negatively impact sound quality due to limiting the surface area for tone transfer.

[vspa22]

@smbstressfest hi thanks for the prompt answer, the gap i was telling you about is actually between the "tongue" (fingerboard extension over the body) and the pickguard. The neck pocket looks ok, otherwise thanks for the detail answer,

[awfulguitarplucker]

that guitar is a Total Wonder all put together! XD

[bezza171]

Jason don't change anything you do, so many answered questions just watching and listening. Thanks.

[ravenshield56]

Ewww DR strings! :P

[larsboyens]

10 videos too long? I was was disappointed when I went through ALL your videos and noted that the "viewers choice" stops after the 3rd eppisode.

Keep up the good work Jason, I have learned a lot, as have a lot of others too!!

[smbstressfest]

@larsboyens Yeah, at some point i need to get back on that series. I've been so busy lately working 7 days a week between 3 jobs... so the video thing has been back-burnered indefinitely.

[MightyCraw]

For some reason, this vid is not running. All the others run fine, including the next one.

[smbstressfest]

@MightyCraw it seems to be playing on my computer ::shrugs:: not sure what to say

[MightyCraw]

@smbstressfest It's working on mine now too, must have been a YouTube thing.

[Hdxer]

To Long, To much bla bla

10 Videos are enough

[smbstressfest]

And yet as long as this series is, I still get tons of questions from people wanting more detailed info and clarification. For the vast majority of people, "too much bla bla" apparently isn't enough.

[pleximanic]

@smbstressfest I like when you do bla bla ,do it more !

[MemphoSlim]

@Hdxer Haters are gonna hate....I for one enjoyed the "bla bla" as you put it.

[musicsnowandrazzles]

the six little metal pieces you're pointing at at 5:18 (in the saddle), can you move them when you dont have the strings fixed? cause my guitar recently fell on the floor, the high e string broke, and i discovered that this metal piece is very movable. is this just because the string doesn't hold it down anymore or might there be sth wrong with my guitar? (sorry if this is a silly question, but it's the first time that i have to change a string...)

[smbstressfest]

@musicsnowandrazzles Yeah the saddles will move freely without the downward pressure from the strings, that's very typical. Nothing wrong with your guitar at all, string her back up and you're good to go!

[musicsnowandrazzles]

@smbstressfest cool, thanks for the fast reply :)

[kdjfnvjvd]

The action measures about 2/32" at the 12th fret with the first fret depressed. This is way too high for me haha. Any suggestions Jason? How would you approach this job????

Thanks!

[smbstressfest]

I think I have a solution for you. I may try and do a video detailing it soon. If not, I'll contact you and explain.

[kdjfnvjvd]

sounds good! Thanks Jason.

[kdjfnvjvd]

Man, you should be on the road working for a pro player(if u already don't).

I have a question. I recently built a custom strat 4 myself and I think the truss rod might be a bit stuck or something(if thats even possible)cuz the action is still too damn high after bridge adjustment! I got 'em as low as possible without fretting out and when i depress at the 1st and 17th fret,I measured about .012" at the 7th fret. Action is 1mm at the 17th with the first fret depressed. Cant get any lower!

[smbstressfest]

How tight is the truss rod? Is the rod able to take the neck into a backbow under string tension?

[kdjfnvjvd]

I don't think I can get it any tighter without stripping it or something,and that's all it will give me....about .010-.012 at the 7th. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get her to pull that far back. I failed to mention it's a vintage RI strat neck (standard truss rod NOT bi-flex). Before I put the neck on, I sighted it and it was pretty straight. I'm stuck!

[smbstressfest]

The store I work at stocks "guitar honey", so that's the stuff I was thinking of but I'm sure many companies manufacture a similar product under a different name. You could use that stuff everyday if you wanted, just don't soak the surface with it. This might allow the wood to swell and could contribute to loose fret ends over time.

[mrlschreur]

Could you please tell me how you got the pickups to stop moving Thanks

[smbstressfest]

I'm pretty sure I cut and installed longer pieces of the medical tubing to get some more resistance to work against. It was either that or springs, it's been nearly a year and I can't remember for certain.

[jcaudio1]

Hi, Jason, I have a stratocaster signature, and has a problem with the tuning in the 6 string in the 12th fret, is flat. I moved the action, but is still flat, could you help me? thanks

[ace69er]

Moving the action wont fix your intonation problem. U have to move the bridge saddles back and forth to do that.

Move that strings saddle towards the neck!

[RitusG]

Simply awesome. Thanks.

[TheLivingDeadOne]

Yeah, Fender uses tiny little springs. What i do is stretch them and makem longer

[smbstressfest]

you have a nice day there sir :-)

[falafelfajt]

Thank you for theese lessons! My dream is to be a luthier eaven though it's a very competetive business.