STRINGS`TUBES: The Holy Grail Of Sustain: ( The Holy Mod )

[yluj0407]

This actully would infact work, but only to a point. It depends on wether or not you think it is worth the trouble. This mod is not difficult but it's improvement might not be as much as you want. Very intriguing.

[FlibbidyFleu]

Do I have to use colored toothpicks?

[TheBillStickers]

Is this a troll?

Cuz it seems like this is a a piss take of all those "magic guitar tone" tricks. Cuz I would agree with "irrational men with irrational ideas get irrational results"... only I don't think the World needs them...

Man, Mythbusters could do a whole freakin' season on all the crap the Guitar World has...

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: The World needs irrational men with irrational ideas to get irrational results ; )

[ModernProductionss]

Does this really increase sustain? is it worth it ?

[Fogertian]

@ModernProductionss : Imagination and Curiosity let your mind reach answers to hard questions. Stamina and Will make impossible and inconceivable things happen ; )

[Fogertian]

@ModernProductionss : Imagination and Curiosity let your mind reach answers to hard questions. Stamina and Will make inconceivable impossible things happen ; )

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says : I`ve read some msgs lately and all I can say is : Those who got eyes, see what they want to see, others watch what I want they watch. ; )

[Fogertian]

Fogretian says: New videos ( The Fallen Claw - The Shocking mod - and Fogertian against the rythm )

[Iliketacos091]

I don't see how some toothpicks and 2 paperclips can turn a crappy chinese guitar into a gibson. also, tone woods are proven. if nothing else, certain woods are lighter or more durable than others. what a waste of 8 minutes.

[Maafa1619]

@Iliketacos091 The toothpicks make sense. Toothpicks are made of hardwood. If you put a bit of toothpick in a screw hole, it will grip tighter and pull the joint together more forcefully. The paper clips, I have no idea what that is supposed to do or why he calls them "tubes."

[TheStrat123]

your video has no sound ... WTF

[Fogertian]

@randomtwit : When I started doing mods, this was the first guitar ( tremolo block ) I modified. I like it because no matter what kind of block I mod, it`s the same. Sustain is more important thant cosmetic or aesthetic. This block is strong and great for me. Listen my guitar on Experience Clearwater Recycled. It`s a matter of tastes. Besides I have a Telecaster Contemporary with a FAT FAT block that is fantastic for a bridge with two screws/pivots on the bridge. Strat tones on a Tele ! ! . ; )

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: I uploaded 2 videos with that special tone you`re after. Let your ears be the judge. Read spec`s at the end of these last 2 videos.

[TheeAldeen]

in theory - this is a Brialliant Mod, next to Genius even - Disregard ANY previous statements

[visual33]

I didn't believe it, when I watched this clip, but I tried it anyway, it took about 40 minutes to do.

I have to say that the improvement in sustain, tone and clarity of my humble Squire Affinity strat is incredible.

Thank you very much for posting this invaluable video.

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: I know my videos are not Super HQ DVD pristine clear, but I don`t care, I`m lazy about it, I only use my Cell Phone an after months I decide if it`s worth to upload it as a low budget video or if stays somewhere in my computer another year. ; 9

[Uz2Brockstar]

I tried this and I kept them in the Guitar. I was skeptical, but it made the guitar sound a little livlier. Couldnt put the coverback on though, the springs rubbed.

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: If you want to see the real sustain flowing through your guitar, then see my video amPlug Classic Rock Test With Strings` Tubes© and Other Stuff. There`s a sound graphic of the tone with it`s own characterisic voice made with Cool Edit Pro. I used the zoom to watch better those waves inside of the waves. Very detailed. ; )

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: Here in Mexico is very common Big metal paper clips like the one you see in BIG STRINGS`TUBES . The basic idea is to find a thicker wire than an average small metal paper clip. Try some other harder materials with this characteristic set on the bottom of the tremolo block in order to get massive fat sustain. ; )

[Fogertian]

More Experiments, Expressions And Experiences On Fogertian`s Channel

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: All Experience Clearwater Recycled videos were made only to showcase how a Strat with Strings` Tubes© and the other 3 parts of the whole system ( BIG STRINGS TUBES©, Master Lifter© & Xtreme Tubes© ) along with ordinary simple FX pedals and a small mixer work so you can have the whole picture of REAL Sustain and its impact on average gear. ; )

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: I was browsing last pages of a Gtr Mag when I saw this thing called KILLER CLAW, it`s basically the same idea. Strings` Tubes© is better and way more cheaper ( or free should I say ? ), but if anyone wants to spend $ 40.00 bucks to get what they proclaim, I suggest if U have a screwdriver on your hand FIRST use ST´s before to buy this CLONE of ST`s©. ; )

[manontheroad]

ok so i got my1st guitar w/ a floyd. being new to this system i had a few questions somebody may be able to help with. 1.does the placing of springs matter ?(as in placing all 3 next to each other or leaving a space between each one)2. why do some have 3 and other go up to 5? is this a tone thing or a gauge thing? 3.does this actually work? i have a sh-13 dimbucker that once put into my guitar my sustain multiplied 3 fold but i still cant get it to last as long as i'd like.

[Fogertian]

@manontheroad : If U place 3 springs in parallel the bass strings will ring stronger in balance with the treble strings. If U set 5 springs is much way better !!!. It`s not a gauge thing, just try to see what`s going on with 5. It`s hard but not impossible to keep springs-strings balance on a tremolo with Floyd Rose. If you are experienced, then try 3 springs first. If you want to have an idea of real sustain shocking waves on your face ( and ears), then watch my test with VOX Metal amPlug. ; )

[nunocarmona]

Let me see if I understand. The filosophy behind these mods is increasing the contact surface between vibrating components. Am I right?

[Fogertian]

@nunocarmona : Yep.

[adrian27red]

what is this for?

[MartyCannava]

Sorry but I just don't understand The tooth pick... I'm french and this video is very obscur to me, can you exlain me better?

And I've got A floyd Rose, does it work with this? I don't think cause it's a floating tremolo :)

[MartyCannava]

Sorry but I just don't understand The tooth pick... I'm french and this video is very obscur to me.. can you exlain me better?

And I've got A floyd Rose, does it work with this? I don't think cause it's a floating tremolo :)

[Fogertian]

@MartyCannava : The toothpick is only to keep neck and body tighter. Some people have worn screws and this is the main problem when they want to get sustain through the neck to the body. It only keeps things tighter. Floyd Rose you said ? It`s the same. Works great on Floyd Rose Systems too.

[MartyCannava]

Sorry but I just don't understand The tooth pick... I'm french and this video is very obscur to me.. can you exlain me better?

And I've got A floyd Rose, does it work with this? I don't think cause it's a floating tremolo..

[eliasthegreek]

I would like to thank you for post this video.

It realy works !!! and gives a great tone although the "holy grail" of the sustain!

1) instead of toothpick ,try some PTFE thread sealing tape. its so Smooooth !

(some DRY green soap on the screw will help a lot )

2) please tell me - why you put aluminium at the back of the strat?

there are no magnetic fields at this side of the instrument. Once more I would like to say thank you Greetings from Greece

[Fogertian]

@eliasthegreek : What is PTFE thread sealing tape ? . The toothpicks on the holes is to keep things safe. ( Wood + Neck Wood = Virtual Set Neck ). Aluminum is better for me because is really soft and I don`t need to soldering sides on the cavity . I saw a Carlos Santana´s Strat with a shielded back cavity. If you see, there`s a little hole across the body where the ground wire comes from the other side to the claw. I shielded the cover of the tremolo cavity too to avoid noise from back side.

[Fogertian]

@eliasthegreek : What is PTFE thread sealing tape doing in the screws ? The toothpicks make things tight and this is what I need to transfer the sustain better trough the neck and viceversa. Just like set necks do. ; )

[eliasthegreek]

@Fogertian - try teflon tape wrap the screw ,burn it with a lighter and use your nail in order to push the material into the threads. it will make your screw more smooth and secure. use teflon tape to the tremolo bar too. it will keep the tremolo bar to the right position and not like hanging.(jeff beck trick).

If you want something thicker than that (instead of toothpicks) put another teflon tape layer. :)

[eliasthegreek]

@Fogertian Thread seal tape — commonly known as "Teflon tape", "PTFE tape", "tape dope", or "plumber's tape"–is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film cut to specified widths for use in sealing pipe threads. The tape is wrapped around the exposed threads of a pipe before it is screwed into place. The use of PTFE tape in tapered pipe threads performs a lubricating function, which more easily allows the threads to be screwed together, to the point of deformation, which is what creates the seal.

[Fogertian]

@eliasthegreek : I`ll send you a video showing how a guitar with Strings` Tubes should sound. It`s recorded clean with that metallic edge on it. Then you compare your guitar tone with my guitar tone. It`s just a matter of tastes. I don`t know how the soap or PTFE affect tone on the screws. It`s a good idea. If people have problems with tight screws then follow eliasthegreek´s advice. That will solve this issue. I prefer one little piece of toothpick on every hole. ; )

[Fogertian]

@eliasthe greek: Here is somehing for you : Take a look and listen to - May I Plug In Your Amp For A Real Sustain Test ? Video - . That`s my final word. ; )

[gargbaby2]

couldnt using different screws strip the wood if the screws dont have the same thread?

[brib333]

Why would ANYONE EVER sheld the back trem spring cavity? That is such a waste of time. The pup and the pot cavity is plenty. Remember your sheilding to BLOCK electrical frequency waves from getting into the pots or pups. And I really dont understand this sustain trick your doing. I mean no offence. All I did was buy a Fernandes sustainer 401 and installed it myself and its amazing.

[73849309378]

I tried the paper clip part and I can't tell any difference in sustain at all. And the toothpick thing doesn't stand to reason that it can make any appreciable difference either. The only way to increase sustain, other than electronically, is to increase mass near the ends of the strings.

[97warlock]

what about doing exactly as you described with the clips ...but not doing the toothpick stuff? would sound improve?

[wtfguitar1135]

need to hear the guitar when done

[nizanklinghoffer]

Can anyone please post an a/b for this mod?

[zziggymaan]

wait, so what did all of the toothpicks do? did you completely take the screws out of the trem and the neck to put them in? did you do that to all of the screws on the neck? someone please help me.

[Fogertian]

@zziggymaan : Yep

[zziggymaan]

@Fogertian so put the toothpick peices in the holes and put the screws back tightening on the toothpicks?

[jan4jon]

Reluctantly I tried it, and it worked!!!! - - Also I added some clips between the strings -

It is a Fender USA VG - which does not had any sustain at all

It is playable now

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: If you want to learn a little more about Pickups and Tubes behavior, then check out PICKUPology by Bill Lawrence and the MESA BOOGIE Trasatlantic`s User Manual to have a light on your tone quest . ; )

[Fogertian]

MORONSLAVE: Stewmacdotcom sent me some tips to get real grip in worn screws, of course, you have to use a lot of things they sell, the trick is to put some kind of hardened glue on the holes if the holes are bigger than the screw`s threads ( worn ). They solve 2 problems by replacing old worn screws and shaping new tight holes .... to ensure the neck is set correctly. I used toothpicks to get the same thing after I made the Holy Mod and the sustain got stronger .... some may want to try this ;)

[moronslave]

Interesting.. any video to show the result? By the way, what's the toothpick's purpose with respect to the tone?

[lute760]

This makes a lot of sense considering that the more contact points you create allows frequencies to travel through a larger area which in turn creates more mass for sound to travel.Frequencies are kind of like electricity,water,and pressure in that they all take the least path of resistance.

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: I want to THANK to TELECAST2001 from strat-talkdotcom for his comments. I set the springs at the same distance, I mean, bass side and treble side. I`ve tried some distances and the best for me is the one in the video because I use a "custom" gauge. If people is not agree to touch neck plate screws , it`s OK anyway. Look in STEWMACDOTCOM how they solve this problem and compare ( if you have loose grip on your screws ) .... mine is simple and cheap ..... Thanks again. ; )

[Fogertian]

Someone sent me this: " It`s like having a BOSS DYNA DRIVE inside of my pickups"

[Fogertian]

This was the answer from Warmouth.com to my letter : Thanks for checking with us however it is very difficult for a parts manufacturer like Warmoth to bring new things to market. You really need an instrument maker that is willing to push the new idea -- someone like ESP, Schecter, or Ibanez. For the most part the USA manufacturers are not very innovative or open to such things so the Asian makers are a better option. I wish you good luck with your ideas and ambitions.Ken Warmoth

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: Tip - Grab your pick gently while you play chords and increase volume on your tone by grabbing harder the pick. It`s not necessary to hit the strings harder with a maniac attack, just grab harder the pick as you play gently the usual chords and experience that great dynamics on your playing

[bowslap]

Not quite ready to pull the toothpick mod, but did employ the paperclip mods. I'll be honest, I figured this was going to be a bunch of BS that would leave me with time wasted and no improvement. I will readily admit I was WRONG....made one hell of a difference in the way my Strat sounds. Thanks for the info....still considering the brass trem claw screws, do they REALLY offer that much improvement?

[Fogertian]

@bowslap : Aaah! Now you are aware of this insignificant change in your sustain chain. Imagine the sustain chain on your Strat and analize what would happen if you change the metal of your claw`s screws: the stock ones are "soft" compared to the brass screws. And if you change the 6 screws of the bridge for harder ones ? As you can see, there`s a lot of ideas floating out there to get finest results in the quest of perfect tone.Watch the latest videos, specially the Telecaster conversion ;)

[brownbigb]

@Fogertian the brass screws you used are much softer than the stock screws.

[Fogertian]

@brownbigb : I don`t know, but I`m sure you get a bacon sizzle tone with stock ones ..... and you càn`t keep quiet your guitar because the strings are ringing IF you set really hard wire as BIG STRINGS` TUBES on the bottom of the block. Try and see what is the best for your ears !!!! ; )

[brownbigb]

@Fogertian i am talking about the screws of the tremclaw. how does anything you just said have anything to do with that?

[Fogertian]

Fogertian says: Tip - If you want to have less tension on your bridge when using the vibrato bar, change the two claw`s screws. Set longer ones, preferably brass screws and see what suits better for a soft use of the vibrato bar.

[Fogertian]

@Glockenator : I think you`re right, if you don`t miss the tremolo bar and it`s importance in music. I prefer to have a better sustain and my tremolo bridge in use. I have solved the tuning issue in my guitar. You play safe on your EPI. I was dying to have an EPI in my hands. But I heard a lot of SG around, and Gibson SG are better, but fragile at the joint. An EPI is safe because of it`s bolted neck. See my Chapter III Part 1 and Part 2 videos and make a comparison. ; )

[Fogertian]

@Smokinjoewhite : I`d like to add that one screw at a time means DO NOT unscrew all 4 screws and then set one after another. This may affect aligment at the pocket of the neck. 3 screws set hold the neck in place when the one that is set again with toothpicks "grabs" the neck harder and with stronger torque. Thats why a called it virtual set neck. ;)

[Smokinjoewhite]

@Fogertian Thanks, I understood what you meant, take out one screw, place toothpick, put in new screw, repeat 3 more times.

[jetmicbev2006]

thanks man for this idea...it really works!it made my strat very responsive & full sounding..tnx

[pm7300]

@fogertian I've found a big steel clip, the tube bar is about 1,9mm diameter. Is this usable to achieve a good tone? I'd like to try it despite I'm happy with the plain video mod, it made my guitar sound very strong and cool!! Thank you.

[Fogertian]

@pm7300 : Are you obssesed with anything that looks like a metal paper clip?

Then do this: Use whatever you want in the claw, just leave space for the strings that grabs the teeth of it. At the end you`ll see the metal paper clip is better. But in the bridge , you are free to try any diameter you want. :)

[Fogertian]

@Smokinjoewhite :This is an official statment from FOGERTIAN :ST`s amplifies your signal by equally changing the amplitude of the components of the output wave to achieve the holy grail of sustaining tone We all live for.

[Fogertian]

To everyone with Floyd Rose Bridge: Use longer screws on the claw in order to keep the original distance and do not affect the strings-springs balance. And, as my friend machine1763 said, you may use bigger brass screws too.

[machine1763]

I just did the mod on my PRS and Damn!!!!!! what a fucking difference.Had to use a metal coat hanger instead of a paper clip.Coat hanger was too thick to go under looped part of springs so I just put it on the underside of the tension plate as there is a slight gap there ..Now the plate rests on the metal wire and is bridged to the gtr body Used bigger brass screws to replace ones in tension plate didnt even need toothpicks.Fucking astounding Nothing short of amazing. thanks .Rock the fuck on!

[Fogertian]

@machine1763 : I´ve seen the bridge on the PRS, and believe me, there`s nothing better for PRS guitars than the way you modified yours !!!!!!. Imagination is part of your mental arsenal man. Kuddos : )

[GuitarGuy0008]

@Smokinjoewhite I tried it and I think it helped a ton, for the paper clip part, it can't damage your guitar in anyway, for the toothpicks, you just put a toothpick in a hole and screw it back in, you don't even have to remove the neck at all, just do the screws one by one... try it on a cheapER guitar first and see,

[GregHM81]

@Fogertian This is the only guitar I have with a locking tremolo. My other axe is a BC Rich Mockingbird with tune o matic

[Fogertian]

@GregHM81 : If you can handle that beast ( intonation and tuning a Floyd Rose Tremolo is a really demanding and easy job) , then go for this mod but keep the springs-strings balance. Just skip the part of the measure at the claw. :)

[FlyerKV]

I think i didn't understand this well.. can you just explane me where you put pieces of toothpicks and why? And what's the difference in tone, does the tone rings longer or what?

[Fogertian]

@FlyerKV : Unscrew only one screw, refill the hole with bits of toothpicks, set the screw back and you feel how the screw "grabs harder" the neck, the 2nd screw, repeat the procedure, and so on...don`t forget to loose strings first. Don´t use cordless screwdriver. You may damage the screw. Warch that wrist:)

[FlyerKV]

@Fogertian Done.. very interesting stuff :) and instead of using paperclips i bend bicycle wheel spoke. :)

[GregHM81]

Is it 100 % necessary to unscrew the neck?? Or just by putting the tube clips is enough?

[Fogertian]

@GregHM81 : Yep, It keeps the neck "glued" in order to transfer the sustain through the entire guitar. Once you`ve finished, play a G Major Chord and touch the peghead. You`ll see what I`m talking about. Even when you tune your axe, you´ll feel the sustain on the tuning keys!!!!!

[pm7300]

Done. Worked well on my Ibanez RG270 with Dimarzio PUs. Great improvement even on a shitty-crappy solid state amp this guitar growled after that mod, sounds GREAT on a tube amp, it seems all my rig's setting are redundant after that easy job.

@fogertian: thank you very much for sharing this amazing-no cost-easy modding.

@everybody: do try this at home before spending money in order to improve your guitar sound, it works.

[pm7300]

@Fogertian Hi. I'm going to give it a shot, Can I do it leaving only 3 springs on my tremolo or it won't work this way?

[GuitarGuy0008]

@Fogertian I did do it withe the bigger paper clip because I read your post in a forum, I did it to the bridge and the claw though, what is the drawback of putting it on the bridge?

[magirecords2004]

@GuitarGuy0008 Where were the toothpicks placed? It wasn't clear in the video.

[GuitarGuy0008]

@magirecords2004 you unscrew the neck bolts one at a time and put a tooth pick or two into the whole, I just put one, and then screw it back in. I accidentally removed the whole neck without thinking, but it is way easier to just do it one bolt at a time

[magirecords2004]

@GuitarGuy0008  Thanks!

[GuitarGuy0008]

I love those heavy guitars! lol I tried this on my '84 Epi Strat it improved it so greatly! I was thinking it wouldn't actually do much, but I was surprised! It turned a guitar with almost no sustain to one reachng close to my lp! Thanks for posting this!

[steviecrocks666]

hi there , wow !!!! wot an amazing difference this made to my guitar tone !!! i didnt believe it t first , thought i had turned up the gain and eq on my v-amp .just to point out , i fitted 2 brass claw screws and brass paper clips , thats what we call them in glasgow , so if your into your guitar tone like me ,then check this out , and thanks !!!!