Epiphone Tune-o-Matic Saddlle thingy???

[Atom Bomb]

SO i got an slight problem, think i know the answer, but i'll come for a second opinion.

I changed my strings and cleaned my lovely guitar, and in the process the two nuts that are used to seat the afore mentioned saddle thing got all misconstrued.

When i got it all back together and re-strung and plugged it in its sounds as though something has stolen all my bottom end and the E,A,D strings sound substanitally brighter and more sparkly then my G,B,E strings?

I started messing around with the nuts and it seems to correct some of the low end issues when i am raising the strings away from the pick up.

DO i have work cut out for me to get this thing sounding the way i had it? Do i basiaclly have to keep messing with those two nuts to get it back to my previous working condition.

Also the issue could be partialy due to the fact that I changed to a different set of strings all together. I usually use Ernie Balls (pink package 9-42) but switched to Dean Markley 9-42... But i doubt it would have that much of an Impact on what I heard last night.

Anyways, thanks for any all help and comments...

[slowmotion]

You'll be fine, but I'm not sure what you mean by "nuts" here. Are you talking about the height adjustment for the saddles (there's two, one on each end)? If so, just adjust them back to taste.

Changing brands of 9-42 shouldn't exhibit a massive change on the neck (tension-wise), but it's possible the new brand is a different string metal or construction and just sound a bit different. I don't like some brands and I don't really like nickel strings, it's all down to taste.

Most things are adjustable on your guitar for a reason. You can't really ruin anything just give it a go (just think about what you're doing while you do it) - and if you can't get it back to "normal" just take it a guitar tech, a standard setup should be fairly cheap.

[Dani Pace]

The bridge height adjustment bolts/nuts should just raise or lower the bridge (saddles) allowing you to raise or lower the action. This adjustment dosen't affect tone greatly. However the height of the string above the pickup can cause some variation. Different brands of strings do vary a lot in how they sound. It could be the Dean Markley strings are made of different materals (core or wrap) and this can make a very noticeable difference. You may have to try several brands of strings in order to find the set that most suits what you want to hear. If you like the sound of Ernie Ball strings, stick to useing them. Personaly I like the Earnie Ball Hybird (9-46) for the little extra bottom end.

[Atom Bomb]

Thanks for the input you guys.

I think its a mix between the strings, and the action. I did play with the height of the saddle, and there is noticable difference in tone, depending on the distance from my pickups. But not remotely close to the sound i had coming out of it. Which is most likely the strings fault. I used dean markelys way back in the day when i first started then switched to EB's.

I may switch back. I miss the bottom end tone. But its all good. I'll tweak my little heart out.

But that tune-o-matic thing? It has the little individual triangle shaped things on it? Is that what i adjust to get the proper intoneation?

Pardon me if i used the wrong terminology i may be way off on that but im curious.

And i would take it to a shop here and have it set up but sadly i don't trust the guys here. I have to search out someone with some positive reputation or learn to do it myself.

Werd.

Thanks again.

[Lt. Bob]

it's called a bridge ...... the little triangle thingies are called saddles. The nut is at the headstock and is the little white or black piece of plastic or bone or graphite that has slots for your stings at the very first part of the fretboard. You don't usually adjust the nut as that requires cutting or sanding it.
You adjust the height of the bridge to change your action.
The saddles move back and forth to adjust intonation.

[Dani Pace]

Use a little caution when making set up adjustments. I've done a lot where someone with little or no experience tried first and really screwed things up. I suggest you get someone else to do it, watch what and how they do it, ask questions. It's not really hard to do once you know what you are doing.