i got a squier strat affinity series recently... do you guys know of a way to make it sound better? you know like what adjustments are needed, strings, pickups.. what do you reccomend?
2006-12-20 06:37:00 · 6 answers · asked by why not try it all 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
It could take a long time to really give a good, useful answer but I'll try to help.
First, if it's the tone or an unsatisfactory sound, refer to your own favorite bands, songs, etc and you could follow examples of the guitars that please your ear. If the pickup tone isn't to your liking, take it in and have some Seymore Duncans put in it. All around Dimarzio and Duncans have been tested and proven solid in the thirty years I've been playing electrics.
If it buzzes, there are small, allen head screws to raise, or lower if necessary, the string saddles behind your hand on the bridge. Also, sometimes the "nut", the small strip of material at the top of the neck that the strings ride on, will wear out or chip and lowers the strings to create a buzz from that direction. Other buzzes are created from bad frets or something rattling loose elsewhere.
*tip* When setting the string heighth, hold two of your fretboard fingers 8 frets apart, take a standard matchbook as a gauge and raise the bridge saddles until the string just clears. This is an old time trick someone once taught me.
Also, if you don't know anything about harmonics, or intonation, (if the guitar sounds tuned here but not there) take it to a music store and have them set the intonation.
Hope it helped.
2006-12-20 06:58:42 · answer #1 · answered by heartmindspace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well dude, you bought a squier.........it isnt not gonna sound that good, its a pretty cheap guitar......i would just use it to practice and then maybe in the future spend some real money on a good guitar.
The amp might help, but the single coil pickups and the circuitry in squier's arent really that good, this is probably the reason why your a little disappointed. An effects pedal could help too (give the sound more tone, bass, etc...)
Goodluck
2006-12-20 14:49:49 · answer #2 · answered by wheli1539 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a simalar guitar and use it on my friends Fender 250 Watt output amp with a sound effects pedal, but if you get a decent amp it will sound ok but that series of guitar has always sounded a bit tinny.
if you're looking for a decent amp dont go for a fender 15 watt, i have no faith in them, the sound blows out if you play it too loud. Marshall, at the higher end of the range are good.
The other thing i can suggest is a good amp lead. you can spend 20-30 pounds on this but it will last a lifetime and greatly improves the sound quality. it may seem a lot of money for a wire but trust me, it's worth it.
Finally, unless you're positive you know what you're doing, don't mess about with the guitar, they can be quite tempermental and you wouldn't like to break it!
2006-12-20 14:57:24 · answer #3 · answered by accused.victim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a $150 dollar guitar.The pickups you would buy and have installed would cost more than the cost of the guitar.Strings aren't going to affect your sound as much as you think unless they are old and "dead".Most players use Ernie Ball or Dean Markley.You have two choices,really.You can either live with the sound you have or upgrade by spending a bit more money.You will never be able to make your current stuff sound like it came from the custom shop without spending more than the guitar is worth.
2006-12-20 17:51:53 · answer #4 · answered by Michael R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try using a different amplifier. Fender Frontman 15G is a great practice amp, it doesn't cost too much either. I got one from Guitar Center for $80.
2006-12-20 14:45:49 · answer #5 · answered by Child Of Decadence 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guitar itself should have a relatively good sound. Id say its probably your amp that is junk. Go invest in a decent amp. I hate to admit it, but fender makes a decent amp for cheap.
2006-12-20 14:40:55 · answer #6 · answered by Beavis 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋