At the moment I’ve dusted off a guitar and a bass I bought close to 20 years ago, an Ibanez EDB300 bass guitar
and my FrankenFender
a modified/mutilated Fender MusicMaster.
Without more experience then just messing about with a bad accoustic I thought those weren’t to bright purchases, but at least I had a chance on getting to learn to play them, although I just started last month. (after fixing the FrankenFender, the added pickup is dead)
When shopping for some useful additions (tuner, neckband, stand) I however found the Fazley FMB218NT
at a very low cost, so I just added it to the basket before checking out. I think for now, buying a fretless bass when just learning to play tops it (for now), although I hope it manages to force me to concentrate more on the left hand.
I guess I’m not the only one that was a tad to enthusiastic when starting, what do you all consider as your (initially) bad decisions and how did they turn out?
Edit: Layout corrections and used my own pick for the Fazely instead of a static one from the shop (that didn’t work in [email protected])
My gear mistake starting out was getting a black serious-looking, but too cheaply-made, guitar with a floyd rose type bridge. I struggled to set it up correctly, and I think I spent more time tuning it than practicing.
I adore my LTD with its Floyd Rose bridge, but boy do I absolutely dread restringing it. Definitely not something for a beginner.
Little trick you can try when re-stringing most trem equipped guitars - take the spring cover plate off and find a piece of wood that will hold the block in place BEFORE you remove the old strings. Then when you’re done restringing, gently remove the piece of wood. Might not be perfect, but it will get you in the neighborhood a lot faster.
Yeah I use a deck of cards for the same effect. The problem I run into is that my set screws got stripped a while back at the same time I changed gauges. It’s never been quite balanced since. I really need to replace those screws.
I have an X series Jackson Soloist. Absolutely change the screws. Also next time you have your Floyd Rose out, tighten the whammy bar post on the bridge itself.
As for tuning. I usually tune G, D, B, A, HIGH E, LOW E. If you have the bridge blocked off (I use a broken pencil with masking tape wrapped around it until it’s the right thickness), it really does make it easier to tune that way. And always tune in the playing position as gravity will affect the tension of the bridge.