A Fender G-5A VG Stratocaster came in for a move from 9s to 10s, a setup to match, and a check on the onboard Roland synth, which cut out after the guitar had been plugged in a while. The dropout traced to a loose wire inside; the crackly volume pot was cleaned; the setup was reset for the heavier strings.
- Instrument
- Fender G-5A VG Stratocaster, Candy Apple Red, Roland VG system onboard
- Tech
- Dave Eastwood
- Customer complaint
- Setup, switch from 9s to 10s, confirm the built-in synth works
- String gauge
- 9s to 10s
- Diagnosis
- Full setup needed after the gauge change; volume pot crackling when turned; synth output cutting out after a while, from a loose wire connection
- Work performed
- Fresh 10s; truss rod, saddle height, intonation and tremolo springs reset; volume pot sprayed out; loose synth connection repaired
- Parts
- None
- Bench time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Outcome
- Set up nicely on 10s; synth repaired
What Came In
A Candy Apple Red Fender G-5A VG Stratocaster, the Fender with Roland's VG modeling built in. The owner wanted 10s on it, a setup to match, and the synth side checked.
What We Found
The heavier strings called for a full setup pass: truss rod, saddles, intonation and tremolo springs. The volume pot crackled when rotated. The synth cut out after the guitar had been plugged in for a bit, and that traced to a loose wire connection inside.
What We Did
Put on a fresh set of 10s and set the guitar up: truss rod, saddle height, intonation, tremolo springs. Sprayed out the volume pot for the crackle. Found the loose wire behind the synth dropout and repaired the connection. About an hour and a half on the bench.
Result
Set up nicely on the 10s, and the synth was repaired.
Is a string gauge change just a string change?
No. Heavier strings pull harder, so relief, action, intonation and the tremolo balance all move, and the guitar needs a full pass to play right on the new set. The electronics were a separate job on this one, and the place to look first when a modeling guitar cuts out is the connections inside it.
Related
- The Repair Vault
- Guitar Repair at Paul's Guitar Hideout
- When to Change Your Guitar Strings, and How to Know
- PRS S2 Studio: Setup for the Move from 9s to 10s
- Ibanez Roadstar II: Corroded Electronics and a Jump from 8s to 10s
Bring It In
Guitar cutting out, or a gauge change that never quite settled? Both are bench work. Guitar repair at the Hideout.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If stairs are difficult or you're bringing in something you don't want to carry up, call or text us and we'll arrange access.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5 PM
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com