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Post by gdivella on Oct 26, 2015 3:39:17 GMT -5
Dear mates,
happy for having found this forum. I'm just one of the lucky owners of this beatiful instrument, and I would like to share with you some doubt that, recently, is making me feel unsatisfied with this axe.
Let me, at first, introduce the guitar: it's a HM Strat made in Japan '89, cherry red coloured, rosewood fretboard, Kahler Spyder with original stuff, HSS configuration with a bridge pickup custom handmade by Marco Pontillo. the serial number starts with H9 (should someone be curious to see it i can provide pictures!)
Now, the question: this guitar is great for sound and comfort, but has a very terrific sustain! I'm using 0,10-52 strings but notes really play for short time if compared with any standard stratocaster/telecaster.
Since my personal taste in guitar playing is changing, thus feeling less interested in shredding and more in love with sound and groove, i'm starting to feel really unhappy. Do someone knows how to improve the instrument to get a wonderful sustain?
Thanks a lot! You can also contact me on my private email gdivella*AT*gmail*DOT*com
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Post by The Guitar on Oct 26, 2015 23:59:25 GMT -5
Seen the neck cavity paint idea. Personally haven not tested that. What sucks about the Spider is the unique trem block on it. Only other option is to drop an OFR/Gotoh Floyd and get a bigger brass block. Enter this in a google search and read a few threads; sanding neck pocket finish for sustain
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Post by gdivella on Oct 27, 2015 4:13:53 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll try to remove the paint from the neck cavity. Can you give me more details about the OFR/Gotoh Floyd solution please? How should I search on the net?
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Post by The Guitar on Oct 27, 2015 22:05:59 GMT -5
Here we go! Click me! Just happen to have a Gotoh, so I might give it a whirl on the next string change. |
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Post by richyoung on May 21, 2016 0:41:22 GMT -5
If action is very low, the strings are rattling out. It may not even be noticeable, but any contact will quickly dampen the string. Also, I suspect your custom pickup. Pickups with too strong a magnet or that are adjusted too close to the strings, or if the action is too low will actually try to induce an electrical current in the string itself, which will act like the magnetic brake on a scale. If the problem started with the installation of the custom pickup, I would look first at its mounting, adjustment, and how strong of a magnet is in it. A friend ran a Dimarz H2N in a HM Strat back in the day, but his sustain was aided by feedback from earsplitting volumes energizing the strings. When he turned down, it sounded dead.
Problems with the nut, nut mounting, neck bolts, tuning machine mounting, output jack, onboard electronics can also cause this, as well as the amp and cord, or weak batteries or maladjusted levels in wireless, if used. Problem happen with different amps and cords?
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Post by alangcreech on Jul 22, 2016 0:42:01 GMT -5
very helpful thread.
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Post by Alienadin on Jul 22, 2016 18:44:27 GMT -5
Hi Everyone,
Ever since I saw the HM Strat on Greg Howe's Introspection cover I wanted one too, and last Winter I finally got a 2nd generation '89 MIJ HM Strat with a maple fretboard and the gorgeous redstone finish.
I love the sound, but would also like more sustain. Therefore, I would like to change the tremolo to a Schaller Lockmeister. Will that fit?
I may also try the neck cavity paint removal to increase sustain. I wish these guitars were still being produced today.
First time poster here.
Cheers
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Post by The Guitar on Jul 23, 2016 17:48:27 GMT -5
There may have to be some minor routing on the rear of the trem cavity to for the Schaller. Then you'll want to check the Schaller's stud spacing.
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Post by Alienadin on Jul 24, 2016 17:03:21 GMT -5
Oh dear. I thought the Kahler Spyder had the exact same dimensions as a Floyd Rose tremolo?!?
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Post by spacerocker on Jul 30, 2016 7:08:23 GMT -5
I've had my main HM Strat for 29 years, and my No.2 for around 8 (same vintage) - and at no point did I ever think they lacked sustain! I just did a quick acoustic test with my Les Paul and my Traditional Strat - and yes - there is a small difference! a fretted chord and a bent string (B-string) lasted about 4-5 seconds on the HM strat, and around 6-7 on both the trad strat, and the Les Paul - so a slight difference, but not huge!
Through an amp, the HM sings and sustains with the best of them! - although the bridge Dimazio Evolution pick-ups I am using might have quite a lot to do with this!
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