Guest Luthier Series - Michael Anderberg

[Marcelo Allende]

Michael, could frets uneven (different heights) cause notes out of tune through the neck?

how can I solve this?

thanks!

[Michael Anderberg]

Hello Michael,

What are your favorite kind of pickups - single coils, P-90s, humbuckers - and why? Also, what's your procedure with regards to frets (for measuring location, cutting slots, and installation) to insure correct intonation?

Thank you!

I like all of them...it just depends on the type of music your playing.
I have a fret scale template and a small blade that matches the kerf
on the fretwire. I cut the slots using my table saw and a miter sled.
I hammer all my frets in place and put a small drop of superglue on the ends to help hold them down.

[Michael Anderberg]

Michael, could frets uneven (different heights) cause notes out of tune through the neck?

how can I solve this?

thanks!

It wont cause it to be out of tune,but it will cause buzzing.
you`ll need to have your frets leveled an re-dressed.

[CTN]

If you could have the ultimate guitar,what would it be?

haha pretty much a cross between a strat and a les paul with a few other things thrown in.

- Ideally, set neck or neck through with virtually no heel
- vintage fender shaped C neck...I find they're the most comfortable, fast, and easy to play.
- balanced tonewoods for the body so that it doesn't colour the tone of the pickups too much. flamed/quilted/spalted maple isn't as essential to me as just having a really nice piece of wood that you can see through a finish that enhances the wood rather than covering it up.
- I like my control layouts pretty simple, just volume and a pickup selector
and either a tune-a-matic/string-thru body bridge, or a floyd rose.
- pickups that are also balanced, but with character. There's nothing that sucks more than having a pickup change your tone for the worse when you know the guitar you've got is stellar.

doin some market research eh? hehe

[Sanford]

What's the average build time for a custom guitar?

How often do you find yourself recommending alternative options for a customer's unusual requests?

Do you build your own cases?

[Michael Anderberg]

Hi Michael, and thanks for visiting with us

What do you think are the good and not-so-good things about the way the electric guitar had developed over the decades since they first appeared?

And how do you think it will evolve into the future....good, bad or otherwise......?.....

I think alot of guitars have improved,but it seems like the old ones are the ones people are trying to duplicate.Im kind of an old school guy and I try to keep things simple and uncomplicated.I think the hardware has gotten better
and the choices of pickups,which is a relatively low cost upgrade,are endless.
I also like 4-conductor wiring,which increases your tonal options.

[Michael Anderberg]

haha pretty much a cross between a strat and a les paul with a few other things thrown in.

- Ideally, set neck or neck through with virtually no heel
- vintage fender shaped C neck...I find they're the most comfortable, fast, and easy to play.
- balanced tonewoods for the body so that it doesn't colour the tone of the pickups too much. flamed/quilted/spalted maple isn't as essential to me as just having a really nice piece of wood that you can see through a finish that enhances the wood rather than covering it up.
- I like my control layouts pretty simple, just volume and a pickup selector
and either a tune-a-matic/string-thru body bridge, or a floyd rose.
- pickups that are also balanced, but with character. There's nothing that sucks more than having a pickup change your tone for the worse when you know the guitar you've got is stellar.

doin some market research eh? hehe

Good choices...sounds like you`re describing one of mine!! I agree with you
about the fancy woods...it`s more cosmetic than anything.Some of the best guitars i`ve played has just a plain peice of wood on the top.

[threechordcharlie]

If someone owns a cheap LP type copy and loves the way it feels, but doesn't love the tone, what would you do to the guitar first?

[Michael Anderberg]

What's the average build time for a custom guitar?

How often do you find yourself recommending alternative options for a customer's unusual requests?

Do you build your own cases?

It usually takes me around 6-8 weeks after i start. Sometimes less.
I have`nt had many unusual requests.It`s mostly about pickups and
placement of the controls.

[IbáñezMike]

Who inspired you most as a guitar builder?

[Michael Anderberg]

If someone owns a cheap LP type copy and loves the way it feels, but doesn't love the tone, what would you do to the guitar first?

First thing I would do is change out the pickups to Seymour Duncan,and buy new hardware(tuners,bridges,pots,and switches)

[threechordcharlie]

If you could have the ultimate guitar,what would it be?

25 scale, a kneck that fills your hand, but doesn't stretch your hand, an LP style bridge, humbuckers, and doesn't weigh a ton. I want sustain for days and a fat tone. I want a durable finish and good balance. The biggest thing that I would like: a switch where you could preset your rhythm volume and your lead volume. The switch would be two position and mounted in position simmular to an LP.

[Michael Anderberg]

Who inspired you most as a guitar builder?

Probably Paul Reed Smith and Hamer.

[Michael Anderberg]

25 scale, a kneck that fills your hand, but doesn't stretch your hand, an LP style bridge, humbuckers, and doesn't weigh a ton. I want sustain for days and a fat tone. I want a durable finish and good balance. The biggest thing that I would like: a switch where you could preset your rhythm volume and your lead volume. The switch would be two position and mounted in position simmular to an LP.

Well,you can do that if you have 2 volumes.

[DazH]

Michael, I plan to start some projects next year & have a brief question.

What do you feel is the most reliable way to check if your wood stock is ready to cut to shape & use for a guitar?

Should I just weigh it as a gauge for moisture & wait untill it settles?

If the wood needs some planing to true it up, should I wait until it's dry before doing so?

What processes do you use in your shop to monitor your stock?

[Evan Skopp]

I want to extend many thanks to Michael for spending time with us today. Michael, you have some new fans here at Seymour Duncan. Of that I'm sure. And you're welcome to come back anytime and spend time with us.

MikeRocker won the DVD. PM has been sent.

And thanks to all of you for participating.

[Michael Anderberg]

I want to extend many thanks to Michael for spending time with us today. Michael, you have some new fans here at Seymour Duncan. Of that I'm sure. And you're welcome to come back anytime and spend time with us.

MikeRocker won the DVD. PM has been sent.

And thanks to all of you for participating.

Thanks Evan,for having me.It was a pleasure participating in the forum and
i`ll be glad to do this again.

[MikeRocker]

Cool, thank you very much, can't wait to see it!! And Evan, congrats on 3000 posts!

[Mr Wolf]

If you could have the ultimate guitar,what would it be?

Can't say i have one at the moment. My two electrics are 2 humbuckered, mahogany guitars with 24.75" scale necks. Whilst my setup gets me through from gig to gig fine and i am happy with my guitars, every now and then i play a guitar completely different to what i already have and fall in love! Also as i go through different phases i want different things.

[Michael Anderberg]

Michael, I plan to start some projects next year & have a brief question.

What do you feel is the most reliable way to check if your wood stock is ready to cut to shape & use for a guitar?

Should I just weigh it as a gauge for moisture & wait untill it settles?

If the wood needs some planing to true it up, should I wait until it's dry before doing so?

What processes do you use in your shop to monitor your stock?

Try to buy wood that is already dry. And yes,you should wait for the wood to dry before planing.