Playability..

Aengland77 · March 6th, 2008, 08:34 PM

So, I have fallen in love with a sunburst usa Highway One Telecaster ( as stated in other posts ) at my local GC.. the tone, versatility, etc is awesome on it... Playability has been something that has come to my attention recently. The Tele was much much easier and different to play than my Epiphone LP standard.. It seems like on my epi that the frets are too small... something is going on because i have started to notice the really little buzzes that come from fretting notes. and these little buzzes never come from my acoustic either and the frets are noticeably larger than the ones on my electric- therefore i would rule out "sloppy playing" if there is such a thing.. Anyone have some input on this? i am sure some of you do. And what makes the difference? the neck? the frets? I am a little confused..

Thanks
Aubrey

beep.click · March 6th, 2008, 09:20 PM

"Playability" just means what's comfortable to you. Different people are comfortable with different setups -- some like the neck big and fat, others like it real skinny, and so on and so on and so on. Some people think that Teles in general are difficult to play (I disagree, FWIW).

The Highway One Tele has "jumbo" frets -- maybe you like that feel. I have one, and I DEFINITELY like that neck. I like to feel some distance between my fingertips and the fingerboard... but not too much.

A friend of mine has guitars with frets so worn down, they're almost not there. Seriously. I have trouble playing them, but it doesn't bother him at all.

pengipete · March 6th, 2008, 10:12 PM

Maybe your Epi needs setting up again especially as your post suggests that it's a recent thing. Have you maybe changed string gauge recently? If so the neck may need just a bit of a tweak to compensate.

I prefer a neck with a bit of substance to it and the neck on my old 80's Strat copy feels like a toothpick if I don't use it for a while cos it's so skinny and the frets are so low. Takes an extra bit of practice but I soon get the feel of it - until the next time.

March 6th, 2008, 08:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Aengland77 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Peoria, Illinois(e) Age: 18 Posts: 41	Playability.. So, I have fallen in love with a sunburst usa Highway One Telecaster ( as stated in other posts ) at my local GC.. the tone, versatility, etc is awesome on it... Playability has been something that has come to my attention recently. The Tele was much much easier and different to play than my Epiphone LP standard.. It seems like on my epi that the frets are too small... something is going on because i have started to notice the really little buzzes that come from fretting notes. and these little buzzes never come from my acoustic either and the frets are noticeably larger than the ones on my electric- therefore i would rule out "sloppy playing" if there is such a thing.. Anyone have some input on this? i am sure some of you do. And what makes the difference? the neck? the frets? I am a little confused.. Thanks Aubrey

March 6th, 2008, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,807	"Playability" just means what's comfortable to you. Different people are comfortable with different setups -- some like the neck big and fat, others like it real skinny, and so on and so on and so on. Some people think that Teles in general are difficult to play (I disagree, FWIW). The Highway One Tele has "jumbo" frets -- maybe you like that feel. I have one, and I DEFINITELY like that neck. I like to feel some distance between my fingertips and the fingerboard... but not too much. A friend of mine has guitars with frets so worn down, they're almost not there. Seriously. I have trouble playing them, but it doesn't bother him at all. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

March 6th, 2008, 10:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
pengipete Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gloucester U.K. Age: 47 Posts: 1,130	Maybe your Epi needs setting up again especially as your post suggests that it's a recent thing. Have you maybe changed string gauge recently? If so the neck may need just a bit of a tweak to compensate. I prefer a neck with a bit of substance to it and the neck on my old 80's Strat copy feels like a toothpick if I don't use it for a while cos it's so skinny and the frets are so low. Takes an extra bit of practice but I soon get the feel of it - until the next time.