Stiff, unpersonal, RG3120 - What to do?

[lmf]

Just got (as in about 5 days ago) my new RG3120, more or less directly from the factory, and it feels really weird. It's stiff as a crowbar and has a very unpersonal feel/sound. Before I decided to go with a 3120 I tried several others in various places and not one of them felt like this one, they were smooth and this is ... I don't know what.

Needless to say - I've spent more or less these 5 days tweaking it but I'm getting nowhere. The factory setup was ... not spectacular ... Tremolo pointing almost straight up, screws not tightened, "nut on the loose" (couldn't take an Am or E chord without bloodshed) and action like nothing I've ever seen before - could put a foot in that gap.

Anyway, I've tried to correct that setup and it's playable now but as I said - It complelety lacks the smoothness and feel. It's a struggle to play, not a joy as it should be.

BTW, the frets feels *really* high, if I push a string straight down I get a sharp note.

Ideas? What can be done? Anyone with similar experiences?

[darren wilson]

What gauge of strings are you using? How many springs do you have in the back? Those are just two places to start.

[lmf]

I'm using the default of 3 springs since that's what I have on my other RG's. But I'll try to go down to 2 too see if something happens.

And yes, I've switched strings twice in 5 days. I actually started with the ones that was on it from the beginning and was almost convinced that they were the root of the problem. But I got more or less the same results with a set of D'Addario XLS Super Light (009-042) and one set of Boomers GBXL (also 009-042) *- unfortunately.

[Rich]

The springs obviously haven't been worked in yet which will help immensly in how silky it plays, so does the angle of the trem, that's critical to how it feels. Do the full setup and get it perfect then wank that trem for hours to break the springs in and see if it doesn't start to feel silkier.

[lmf]

I usually keep the trem as parallel with the body as possible, I measure the distance down to 1/50th mm, i.e. the distance from back of trem to body. I measure the distance on both sides so the entire trem is horizontal, same height on both sides, it takes a little while since this also requires bridge height adjustments.

When the trem is as parallel to the body as I can get it, on both sides (and other things OK), I adjust the action so it has the same action on high- and low E. Which means the bridge is slightly lower on the high-E side. I don't know, but that's how I always have done it - Is this "correct" or am I the only one with action like that?

Also, should I angle the trem slighty forward (back of trem slighty raised) instead of keeping it strictly parallel to the body? I used to do it like that but lately I've taken the "strictly parallel" route.

I'll try to work on those springs now ...

[Rich]

Depends on what you consider parallel. Check this section to see if we're on the same page.

[7 Dying Trees]

What you could always try is lifting the springs from one of your RG's and setting the guitar up with them instead of the factory ones. Should instantly tell you if it's that or not. But I do agree with springs making all the difference to how a guitar feels. The more worn in they are, the more buttery bendy and silky the whole thing feels. Factory direct'll probably mean noone has played those springs yet.

Alternately you can always go to a guitar shop and ask them for an old set of springs...

[lmf]

Rich: Yes, that's what I would consider parallel. Good page. He, he - I also noted the "Tips for a *Stiff* Guitar"

And 7 Dying Trees: I also thought about "cheating" a bit and grab the springs from my 570, which is silky smooth and played a lot, but I need it too - it was going to be the backup for the 3120 ... But at the moment it looks like it's the other way around.

Well, I was just out and bought a 3rd set of strings ... *Actually I was buying some other things and got to talk about the 3120 and he recommended (of course he did, he sells the stuff ) Elixir Nanoweb coated strings and he convinced me ... I've never tried those but are they any good? I got the Super Light set (009/011/016/024/032/042) but I don't think I'll switch again, at least not right now since I've already tried 2 different sets.

And ... When I'm already at it, what kind of action would you recommend for a 3120? I'm pretty fond of low action (even though my right hand can be a bit heavy at times). For the 570 it was easy to find the right balance but since I don't get that "feel" on this 3120 I'm raising/lowering it back and forth.

[Gresh]

You're chasing a phantom by changing the strings all the time, it won't do you any good if you are continually using the same gauge.

I strongly believe that the "stiffness" you feel is entirely due to the trem springs as Rich said. *I had the same issue with two new 7 strings...abuse the trem in a horrible way for about 20 minutes for a couple of nights in a row and do another set up on her...and stop changing strings, you're just wasting money.

[lmf]

The last set of strings was more or less just for fun since I've never tried that brand, and he was *so* convincing But, as I said, I'm not changing strings again since I have what I usually use on the 3120 already. The Elixir strings will be an experiement later or at least on another guitar which I'm used to and know how it feels. Not much use to test completely new strings on a new guitar I'm not familiar with. It was off topic, really sorry about that.

Anyway, I'll do some spring work and hope she looses up a bit.

This is my fourth RG-series guitar but this is the only one that feels really weird from the beginning (the others were also new from the shop). Things look alright, trem, action, bow, neck, nut, intonation, etc. It sounds good but plays like an iron-bar. It's difficult to describe but it feels just plain weird.

[Gresh]

Hope it all works out...3120s are nice guitars.