The colour is Orange at the new Unit 6 premises in Millbrook. The chance to try before you buy and part exchange that old amp.  Fret  has now one of the best selections of orange in the UK. Com and check it out or simply order online. Fret Music is set to be the UK’s number 1 Orangec dealer.

New Orange Delivery at Unit 6

Sign up for free now—click on this link

The Tonerite is a device that simulates the vibration of a solid guitar top on any type of acoustic guitar. This normally occurs over a period of years but with the Tonerite being applied to the guitar it can be simulated within 3 days. All the  guitar mags are raving about it. This has been proved to work. As yet we don’t sell them . We are looking to distribute them. We have one on order with Stewart McDonald in the States and are going to try it on the guitars at the shop. Please contact us and we’ll let you know how we get on. If you  have already tried  one please contribute to this blog.

Dont take our word for it check out the video and the Tonerite web site.

This is always a big issue with a solid top. They require a lot of playing before they really come alive.Tonerite

Just now and then a nice idea comes along. The D’Addario NS Tuner is just such an idea. The idea is based on the latest syle of guitar tuner the headstock mounted style. D’Addario have taken the idea a lot further and introduced some brilliant design ideas that are going down very well.So much so that it’s now one of their top selling products. The original cumbersome easily damaged concept has been replaced by a tuner that is fixed onto the headstock with a ratchet clamp. This fixes it flat to the headstock. Literally anyone that tries it at the shop has bought one.
This is what D’Addario say:
Designed in conjunction with Ned Steinberger, the Planet Waves NS Mini Headstock Tuner precisely tunes a wide variety of stringed instruments in a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use design. The highly sensitive piezo transducer and backlit display allow for smooth and highly accurate tuning in noisy, dim or well-lit environments, where other tuners fail. The miniscule design allows the tuner to hide effortlessly behind the headstock, concealing it from your audience and allowing it to remain mounted on the guitar inside most cases. Featuring a 360 degree swivel mechanism and adjustable padded clamp, the NS Mini offers optimal viewing angles and maximum positioning flexibility. As a result, the NS Mini is equally at home on left and right-handed instruments as well as on small and large headstocks, making it the ideal choice for the widest variety of players and instruments. The NS Mini also features an easy-to-read color changing backlit display which is powered by a readily available CR2032 battery (included). Maximum battery life is provided by the auto-off function, shutting the tuner off automatically after several minutes of no signal. Powered by the latest version of the highly praised and super accurate Planet Waves Headstock tuner software, the NS Mini also offers adjustable calibration between 430 Hz and 450 Hz for use in a wide variety of playing situations. Enjoy effortless and inconspicuous tuning at a great value with the NS Mini Headstock Tuner.
• Multi-color backlit LCD screen makes it easy to tune in dark environments
• Built-in piezo transducer picks up instrument’s vibration rather than sound
• Compact design blends into the aesthetics of instrument while adding considerably less weight than other headstock tuners
• May be user-calibrated to any pitch from A435 to A445
• Tunes acoustic and electric guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos and other stringed instruments
Planet Waves electronic tuners are designed by musicians for musicians featuring intuitive features, easy to read display’s, and exceptional tuning accuracy.D\’Addario NS tuner

Zildjian In A Nutshell

Zildjian Cymbals is one of the oldest family run business’ in the world and has,been going since the early 1600s. Frets have been selling Zildjian since we started trading in 1980. The cast bronze series covers every style of drumming from jazz to metal.

The series are A , A Custom, K , K Custom,  Z3,  Oriental, ZBT, ZXT, FX and last but not least ZHT.  They include all sizes from 10″ to “22.

Out of interest  Avedis is actually the family name not Zildjian.  Zildjian was a title given to a member of the Avedis family which loosely translates to “cymbal maker to the king” and this name was used from  around the 20s-30s.

They have the industry’s largest artist roster including Travis Barker,Adrian Young, Tommy Lee, Taylor Hawkins Zak Starkey and Tre Cool.

Zildjian is still the biggest name in cymbals.

The Tama series of drums have earned a rightfull place as the quality option in non boutique level kits. These include
Starclassic,Starclassic Bubinga,Starclassic Performer,Superstar,Silverstar,Imperial Star and Swingstar. The top end Starclassics
are hand built in Japan.
Tama have a kit to cover every price point. Any Tama kit at any price will match or beat the competition for price and quality. They also produce a vast array of snares such as Starclassic,Starphonic,Warlord,Artwood and Metalworks with prices from £160 to £2000 for signature snares for some of the worlds best drummers . These include, Mike Portnoy( ex Dream Theatre), Stewart Copeland(Police), Lars Ulrich(Metalica).

Tama hard ware is bomb proof and built to last. The iron cobra pedals and hi hat stands have a reputation unrivalled for quality and durability.

Frets have been selling Tama drums for 32 years.

Ibanez In A Nutshell

Ibanez guitars are organised in a variety of series offering a range of options for all styles of music. These are the RG,RGD RGA GIO ,ARZ, ART,S,SA,SAS,and Signature. The RG (Road Gear) series is the oldest and most recognized range available in standard wizard 3 necks or wizard prestige (all made in Japan).RGD is a longer scale option tuned D to D —great for metal. The RGA series is the same as RG but with an arched top. The Gio series covers all the various styles and body shapes but at a lower price point. ARZ & ART are Ibanez’s take on the classic single cut but with hotter active pickups.. S and SA/SAS series are lighter weight slimmed down guitars. Using mahogany for the bodies on this series still provides guitars with resonance and warmth. The Signature series covers all styles and shapes most notably the RG design for Steve Vai/ Munky/ Mick Thomson/Paul Gilbert.. The S series shapes for Satriani. The remium series is the same specification as the Prestige but is not made in Japan thereby keeping the cost down. For years Ibanez have perfected their brilliant Gibraltar series hard tail bridges and edge, edge zero and edge zero 2 tremolos maintaining them at the cutting edge of electric guitar technology.

All Ibanez guitars are rigorously constantly quality checked with each guitar supplied with a swing tag to say who checked it and when. Ibanez is a .modern forward looking company that listens to what people want. For example many years ago the guys from Ibanez Japan came into Fret Music as part of their Circuit visiting all the UK dealers. As part of our feedback we advised them that due to public demand they should provide a hard tail RG. Six months later exhibited at the trade show in LA was a selection of brand new models all based on that conversation Scott from Frets had with the research and development team. Although famous for rock guitars they are as renowned for their quality jazz and semi acoustics, endorsed by George Benson, Pat Metheny and Andy Scofield. With the AGR, AS, AF and AFS series there is a body depth and style to suit all budgets.

Ibanez has to be the world’s leading manufacturer of modern electric guitars but at the same time provide such a diverse range of instruments for literally all styles and genres of music.

Some players have a lot of problems setting up a locking trem guitar.

It’s not rocket science however you need to adopt a regular procedure to ensure a successful set up.

Before you do anything decide what strings to use. If you are opting for a dtune D or lower you’ll need to put a much heavier set of strings on the guitar. We generally use 11-52 metal core for D,G,C,F,A,D  or a 12-56 for a dropped C,F,Bb,Eb,G,C. For conventional tuning most players still use 9-42 but more have now gone over to 10-46. A compromise is a hybrid set from 9-46. This gives the best of both worlds with a chunky bass but lighter bendable top. If you keep using the same set and gauge of string this process makes life a bit easier as the bridge will be use to the tension of that gauge. If you keep changing gauges and tunings then your always have to set the tremolo to those gauges.

This will almost certainly alter the neck tension. So remove the truss rod cover and check the truss rod is moving freely. While you’re at it (still with the original strings on) check the neck runs true. It should have a very slight amount of convex relief. I run my eye down from the nut end to the bridge along the side of the fingerboard.

This is a good base line, if your changing the string gauge from say, a set of 9’s to a set of 11’s then you will need to check the neck again once you’ve tuned up and sorted the trem out. So if you’re still tuning to standard E with the 11’s then you will need to tighten the truss rod up a quarter turn or two. This is because of the greater tension on the neck compared to the 9’s that the guitar is use to. And obviously if you’re going from a big set of strings down a couple of gauges you will have to loosen the neck off.

Now with different tuning and heavier strings the tension on the neck will be different. As you’re not up to standard E the strings are slacker and so will the neck. You will still have to check the neck to make sure you have the proper relief in the neck. But you might not have to do as much work to get it to the right relief.

Next step is to remove the locking plates from the nut and put in a container. I’d like a pound for every one I’ve dropped on the floor so put them somewhere safe. I use a magnetic dish I got from an automotive shop. Then detention the strings, slacken the anchors on the saddles and pull them out and off of the machineheads. Whilst you have the strings off it’s always a good idea to check the saddles are secure and the bolts that hold them down are done up tight. Give the trem a quick dust over with a dry paint brush.

Check the frets and see if they need a polish. With use they do get dull so it’s always a good idea to give them a polish every once in a while. First thing is to protect the fingerboard with some masking tape. Then polish the frets. You can use a block like they use on motorcycles, metal polish with a cloth or with some fine grade wire wool. Once your happy with the result remove the tape and treat the fingerboard with lemon oil. Ideally leave it for a few hours but you can remove it straight away. Make sure its all wiped off the neck and the body before you continue. Now give the rest of the guitar some attention. Polish the body, especially those hard to reach places. Do this now before putting the strings on.

Next fit the strings. Some Ibanez trems let you keep the ball ends on so you can fit them on like a traditional trem. But for the most you will need to cut the ball ends off to fit them into the saddle. See diagram below for best place to cut the string.

Insert the cut string into the saddle and tighten up the locking bolt—then locate onto machine head. Once that’s done you can start to tension the strings up. There is a few different ways of doing this. You can either just tighten the strings up and watch the trem rise, or you can put something under the trem its self in the cavity to hold it in the right place as you tune up. This does make life a bit easier but make sure it’s something you can get back out once you have finished.

Ok, so now comes the tricky part, making sure the trem is level with the body. This can sometimes take no time at all or sometimes can take ages! The way I’ve done it for years is (this sounds simple I know) tune one string at a time, move to the next then go back to the beginning. This maintains the right tension and tuning. Keep doing this until all the strings are in tune. At this point you might have noticed that either trem is lifting above parallel or its dipping into its cavity too much. This is where the springs on the back and the gauge/ tension of the strings come into play. If the trem has started to lift then stop, loosen the strings off slightly, flip the guitar over, take the back cavity plate off and screw the two large screws with the springs attached into the guitar a couple of turns. If it’s dipping too much into the cavity then loosen these screws off a couple of turns. Flip the guitar over again and start the tuning process again. Now it’s just a balancing act between the tuning and the springs in the back. Once you’ve done this a couple of times you should be able to get the trem level. Then you will need to stretch the strings so they don’t get hideously out of tune when you do your first dive bomb or trem flutter. Best way to do this is to tug the string
(like a bow and arrow) at the 12^th fret, tune it up and repeat until you’re confident the slack has been taken out of the string. Now once this is done, again you will have to check the trem to see if it has moved. It shouldn’t too much but you may need to adjust it.

Patience’s is a virtue! This by no means is a quick process. Take your time. Don’t get too stressed with it. It can be done, but if it’s your first time, take a break and go back to it if you’re getting annoyed with it. If the trems still too high once you’ve tightened the springs up as much as you can, you will need to add another spring to help with the tension. This is easily done but you will have to remember too loosen off the springs again.

When you’re satisfied with the tuning and if your guitars not been flung across the room, you need to put the locking nut pads back on and tighten them up. This will make the guitar go slight out of tune again but you have the fine tuners on the bridge to sort that out. Give it a quick wipe down and you’re done!

It’s a lot of effort just to restring it but once you’ve done it a few times it’ll be second nature. It can be very satisfying restringing and sorting out your own guitar but if you do get any problems with them then we are always here to help. Our in house engineer has experience on the road and in the shop doing these types of guitars and trems.

If you like you music with a jazz flavour then check out the Jazz jam at the King Charles pub in Kingsworthy Winchester.
I went along a couple of weeks ago and had a great evening. Just take your instrument along and away you go.
The session is professionally managed by Simon Probyn. If you want to be on the mailing then look him up on Facebook.
It takes place on the 4th Monday of the month.