SG tuning issue
- Thread starter RandyD52
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donepearce
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Not sure what you mean by putting pressure to the lower part of the guitar. Are you pushing or pulling the neck back or forwards?
In a sitting position, pushing down on the body, resting my right arm.
donepearce
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OK, so you are holding the neck while you do this. This would tend to bend the whole thing slightly. SGs are particularly bendy guitars. This is really easy to do. There's nothing wrong with it - just practice not leaning too hard with your arm.
Welcome, by the way.
Welcome, by the way.
ScottMarlowe
Well-Known Member
Note that some SGs are more bendy than others. If it's too bendy for you look for another one. My 2013 '70s trib relatively non-bendy as is my Epi TV Pelham Blue SG Custom. OTOH my other SGs are varying degrees of bendy. The non-bendy pair both have fairly thick sturdy necks while the varyingly bendy ones all have 60s slim taper necks. YMMV
RedMastiff
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lowering the action an setting the neck a bit more straigh maybe could help
Col Mustard
Well-Known Member
Welcome to ETSG, and congratulations on getting a '61 RI...
IMHO those are one of the best guitars ever made.
I recommend beginning with the simplest things to try.
First, you make up your mind whether you like this guitar enough to play it the
way it needs to be played. The way the SG is built makes it different from other
guitars. The thin body and extremely accessible upper frets will definitely lay some
restrictions on how you handle your '61.
Fender guitars are built like a tank, and even they can be flexed enough to make the
tone wobble. You have to work harder to do it, because the heavier guitar bodies and
the maple necks are a stiffer combination.
My advice to a new SG owner is: NEVER FLEX YOUR SG ENOUGH TO MAKE WAH WAH SOUNDS.
It puts unnecessary stress on the glue joint. I own a Telecaster, and I would never flex the neck
on that one either. I've had other players come up to me and point to my SG and admire it,
and then say, "I used to have one of those. Cool Guitar. With mine, I could wobble the neck
enough to make great wah wah sounds... Hand me your SG and I'll show ya..."
I never allow guys like that to handle my SG. I leave them to stress their own guitar.
Get back, Jack... SGs are lightly built, to be light to play and to have the awesome tone
that they do. So they need to be protected from flexing. If you love to horse your guitar around
while you play, you might do better with a different guitar.
But I don't think so. I think you can train yourself to treat your SG with respect, and
enjoy it for what it can do, and never worry about the things your SG cannot do ( a very small item).
Next, professional setup.... Your guitar deserves it. Have every detail checked by a pro luthier,
not the sales guys at GC, but the guy that local pros take their instruments to. While you're there,
show the Luthier what you're doing to throw your guitar out of tune, and he may tell you the same thing
I do... DON'T DO THAT!
IMHO those are one of the best guitars ever made.
I recommend beginning with the simplest things to try.
First, you make up your mind whether you like this guitar enough to play it the
way it needs to be played. The way the SG is built makes it different from other
guitars. The thin body and extremely accessible upper frets will definitely lay some
restrictions on how you handle your '61.
Fender guitars are built like a tank, and even they can be flexed enough to make the
tone wobble. You have to work harder to do it, because the heavier guitar bodies and
the maple necks are a stiffer combination.
My advice to a new SG owner is: NEVER FLEX YOUR SG ENOUGH TO MAKE WAH WAH SOUNDS.
It puts unnecessary stress on the glue joint. I own a Telecaster, and I would never flex the neck
on that one either. I've had other players come up to me and point to my SG and admire it,
and then say, "I used to have one of those. Cool Guitar. With mine, I could wobble the neck
enough to make great wah wah sounds... Hand me your SG and I'll show ya..."
I never allow guys like that to handle my SG. I leave them to stress their own guitar.
Get back, Jack... SGs are lightly built, to be light to play and to have the awesome tone
that they do. So they need to be protected from flexing. If you love to horse your guitar around
while you play, you might do better with a different guitar.
But I don't think so. I think you can train yourself to treat your SG with respect, and
enjoy it for what it can do, and never worry about the things your SG cannot do ( a very small item).
Next, professional setup.... Your guitar deserves it. Have every detail checked by a pro luthier,
not the sales guys at GC, but the guy that local pros take their instruments to. While you're there,
show the Luthier what you're doing to throw your guitar out of tune, and he may tell you the same thing
I do... DON'T DO THAT!
ScottMarlowe
Well-Known Member
I've been doing the "SG Shake" for decades and never had a neck joint fail from it.
I don't go crazy etc, but much like Brittany from Alabama Shakes, just gently rock it back and forth.
I don't go crazy etc, but much like Brittany from Alabama Shakes, just gently rock it back and forth.
shreddy bender
Well-Known Member
I too have been known to wobble the neck on my SG's. I know my strength ( I'm 6' tall and lanky- I have good leverage. I weigh 165 lbs. And can lift a 50 gallon drum of fiberglass resin from laying on it's side to upright using my leverage. It's all technique . ) That said, mahogany is a short grained ,soft hardwood . Be gentle . The neck joint is glued and quite strong... the wood... Not so much .
I say wobble away but do it for a subtle effect. Mahogany is flexible but it will break if you are too rammy.
Paul G.
Well-Known Member
I bend the neck for a vibrato effect. I sometimes like to grab a harmonic, let it ring and swell then wobble the neck.
Never going crazy, but I've been shaking SG necks for almost 50 years now. No issues.
As a matter of fact, the glue bond is actually stronger than the internal wood structure.
P
Never going crazy, but I've been shaking SG necks for almost 50 years now. No issues.
As a matter of fact, the glue bond is actually stronger than the internal wood structure.
P
DrBGood
Well-Known Member
I've shaking my SG for quite some years too. Or ... is it my SG ?
Six String
Well-Known Member
Welcome to ETSG! 
Notes69
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Welcome Randy!
My SG is more "bendy" than my other guitars. However, it's only if I manipulated it when I sit. I never do it on purpose, and it never happens while standing and jamming. But, it is more bendy for sure.
Col, I'm curious about why the 61 gets high marks with you. I'm looking to start a project, and am close to getting a STD body/neck. Maybe something will persuade me to go in a different direction. Do you have experience with a STD too? thanks.
My SG is more "bendy" than my other guitars. However, it's only if I manipulated it when I sit. I never do it on purpose, and it never happens while standing and jamming. But, it is more bendy for sure.
Col, I'm curious about why the 61 gets high marks with you. I'm looking to start a project, and am close to getting a STD body/neck. Maybe something will persuade me to go in a different direction. Do you have experience with a STD too? thanks.
+Mastodon Fan+
Active Member
Just get a 2013 standard and you'll essentially have both.
