String choking

[MJC]

Hey,

Recently I purchased a JS1200CA (2006 model) but as expected it came with a less than desirable set up. I've been trying to set it up myself but without leaving the action really high the strings choke badly on the first string while bending. It's especially bad on frets 12 and 15. I like to play with a low action so this is especially irritating! Does anyone have any tips on how I might overcome this?

Thanks!

[Dee]

Is there a shim in the neck pocket? I had similar issues with an old guitar, choking in the same place as yours. Mine was partially fixed by removing the shim, then adjusting the bridge to correct the action. Other than that, maybe you need to adjust the truss rod a little.

[MJC]

I'm not quite sure to be honest. Would the truss rod nut be turned to the left to bend the neck in a concave direction?

Not meaning to derail this but I have another question. On this guitar I can hear the pick attack really loudly (1mm picks I'm using) especially on the top three strings (increasing in noise as I move up the fret board). Could this be anything to do with the set up at all?

Thanks again.

[Dee]

The pick attack might be the actual pick -- try Jim Dunlop nylon 1mm's, they are much quieter than most other picks I've tried over the last 27 years. It could be the action is too low at the top of the neck, so maybe the strings are rattling against the frets quite a bit. You might also want to try turning down the presence control on your amp. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious. Without seeing the guitar, I'd guess it's the fret rattle. I think you need to unbolt the neck and try removing the shim if there is one. Screw it back together and try again.

For the truss rod, see Rich's guide at the Ibanez Rules site. Click the banner at the top of the page and look in the Tech section.

[chris101]

I've never seen a shim plate used on a JS1200CA. I'd check out the truss rod 1st.

[Gtr4000]

Originally Posted by chrisstevenson

I've never seen a shim plate used on a JS1200CA. I'd check out the truss rod 1st.

+1 bro

[Dee]

How many JS1200 necks have you guys pulled?

[chris101]

Just 2 on JS1200's, plenty more on the old Radius series and RG, never once seen a shim, with regard to the JS1200's that was to examine damn neck pocket cracks.

[MJC]

Ok, the good news is I solved the string choking (truss rod adjustment - thanks for the suggestion)! The bad news is I can't seem to figure out where this loud pick attack is coming from. Granted there should be some, but I don't feel there should be as much as I'm getting. I've tried using Jim Dunlop picks (1mm) and there is next to no difference in the amount of pick attack I'm hearing. One thing I have noticed is that the clearance on previous frets is a lot less on higher strings than lower strings. Could this affect it? Any other ideas at all? Maybe my technique just sucks .

P.S: I've tried changing pickup settings, tone settings, amp settings, different picks, different angles of attack, playing nearer the bridge or the neck - I could still hear the loud pick attack despite trying all of these.

[jb4674]

There's nothing wrong with the pick attack. That's just how sensitive those Dimarzios are. Try picking a little softer (ever seen Paul Gilbert's videos?) or perhaps lowering the height of the pickups to muffle them a bit (though I really don't recommend that) but, if the pickups weren't that sensitive to pick attacks or touch in general, Joe couldn't do the harmonic pinches and other little techniques he likes to use while playing.

Jimmy

[Dee]

Why do I always mis-read the title of this thread as "Chin Stroking"?

[MJC]

Not meaning to sound too dense or make another thread, how does one go about removing the tremolo on a JS1200CA?

[jb4674]

1. Loosen the nut

2. Loosen the strings

3. unhook the springs from the back of the trem one at a time while pulling up on the trem

4. Pull the trem gently off the posts and its cavity.

I hope this helps.

Jimmy

[stewmunny]

Have you raised the pickups and that is why you are hearing the pick attack? Are you quite a heavy picker anyway?? is it possible to do a webcam veideo so we can gauge exactly what is going on or if what you are describing is normal.