A Memo to Guitar Enthusiasts from Fred Gretsch Jr. Information essential to every guitarist– students, professionals and hobbyists–is gathered together here for you. Keep it in your guitar case accessory pocket for quick reference about the care of your guitar, how to use it to the full extent of its capabilities, what to demand when purchasing a guitar, and for your personal file of phone numbers and addresses. Your musical instrument is a very personal extension of you, the musician.
Contents 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 14 16 Moisture Content and Humidity Protection from Temperature and Humidity Cracks in the Wood Finish-Checking General Maintenance Tuning Machines Tuning 6-String Guitars Tuning 12-String Guitars Changing Strings Re-Stringing Your Guitar with a Fixed Tailpiece The Bigsby® Vibrato Tailpiece Re-Stringing the Bigsby® Vibrato Truss Rod Adjustment Adjustment of Action Pickup Adjustment Floating Bridge Adjustment Space Control Bridge Adjustment Resolving T
Moisture Content and Humidity Wood is a porous, organic material, and is affected dimensionally by changes in the amounts of moisture it contains. Fine guitars made from solid woods, are without a doubt, more susceptible to the effects of changes in humidity than laminated instruments, and therefore require ongoing attention to their condition. The moisture content of wood is determined by the relative humidity and temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.
Finish Checking Finish checking, (very small splits in the finish), usually occurs in winter and is typically the result of suddenly exposing a cold instrument to the shock of warmer temperatures. All of the materials that make up a guitar expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, and they do this at different rates. Wood expands as it warms, and it does so faster than the finish placed over it.
For instruments with open gear tuners, make sure to lubricate the gear with a drop of lightweight oil from time to time for smooth operation. The Chrome and Gold plating on Gretsch tuning machines may become degraded from the acids and oils in finger sweat. Wipe the machines off with a soft dry cloth after each use to preserve their appearance and function. Strings that have not been secured properly to the tuning machine post may easily slip and go out of tune.
the possible need of truss rod adjustments. A guitar in need of an adjustment that is ignored may develop permanent problems. (See page 14.) Please Note: Warpage of the neck, caused by the neglect of necessary adjustments will not be covered under the Gretsch warranty. Changing Strings A fresh set of strings can breathe new life into your instrument. That is why many “tone-conscious” touring professionals change their strings before every performance.
Illustration 1. String is passed through hole near top of string post. Illustration 2. String is then wound halfway around post. Illustration 3. Prevent string slippage by running the short end halfway around the post, then underneath and back over the main length of string before tightening.
The Bigsby® Vibrato Tailpiece The Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece is a time proven design and has been used by Gretsch® Guitars for more than 45 years. Since the 1950’s the Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece has been the choice of guitarists worldwide - and the choice of world class guitar builders for standard equipment on their premium guitars. Following Paul Bigsby’s original formulas from the early fifties, Bigsby tremolos are still hand cast, hand polished and hand assembled.
Truss Rod Adjustment String tension exerts a tremendous bending force on the guitar neck. Environmental conditions like temperature and humidity may also cause bowing of the neck. Gretsch® guitars (excluding Lap Steels) have an adjustable truss rod, running the length of the neck that counteracts this force, strengthens the neck and insures straightness.
Depending on your technique or style of play, high action can sometimes be difficult to play, and low action may result in string buzz. Most electric guitars have height adjustable bridges with adjustable saddles that allow you to easily tailor the action to your needs. On a flat-top or classical guitar, adjustment is a little more involved. To lower the action, the bridge saddle must be removed, cut down to the appropriate height and then reinstalled.
10 Space Control Bridge Adjustment Resolving Tuning Problems The floating Gretsch® Space Control Bridge has been preset at the factory. However, every guitarist can now fine-tune the spacing adjustment of the strings to suit their own individual style of play, if they so choose. The knurled string wheels (B) that move across the threaded bridge bar (A) enable the player to adjust string spacing at the bridge.
Here are a few tips that should help eliminate almost all tuning problems. Make sure that each string is seated well, stretched and snugged down on the tuning machine post. Tune from low pitch to high, so as not to leave any slack in the string behind the nut. If there is any slack, (usually unseen), in the string windings at the tuning machine, it will cause the string to go out of tune as soon as you start using the tremolo or bending notes. Make sure the instrument is properly lubricated.
Gretsch® Basic Controls Guide 1. Pickup Selector Switch for selecting the pickup position (front for body’s exterior, center for mixed, and rear for interior). 2. Master Volume For adjusting overall volume. 3. Tone For adjusting the tone of the front and rear pickups. 4. Front Pickup Volume For controlling the front pickup volume. 5. Rear Pickup Volume For controlling the rear pickup volume. 1.
1. Pickup Selector Switch for selecting the pickup position (front for body’s exterior, center for mixed, and rear for interior). 2. Master Tone Selector Tone control switch. The exterior of the body is deep, the center is bypass (Tone 0), and the interior is shallow, so that the tone can be selected from three levels. 3. Master Volume For adjusting overall volume. 4. Front Pickup Volume For controlling the front pickup volume. 5. Rear Pickup Volume For controlling the rear pickup volume. 1.
Limitations and exclusions GRETSCH ® GUITARS 1-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY FMIC warrants this Gretsch guitar to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of original purchase, subject to the limitations set forth herein.
10. Instruments that have been serviced by unauthorized persons (any person other than an FMIC Certified Technician at an Authorized FMIC Service Center). In case of loss or theft, please record the pertinent information on your instrument below: FMIC ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT NOR ANY LOSS OF INCOME, SATISFACTION, OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE LOSS OF USE OF SAME DUE TO DEFECTS OR AVAILABILITY OF SAME DURING SERVICE.
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GRETSCH® GUITARS FMIC SPECIALTY SALES 8860 EAST CHAPARRAL ROAD, SUITE 100 SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85250-2618, USA www.gretschguitars.com © 2003 Printed in U.S.A, P/N 991-6026-135 Rev.
