Monaco Superpro Mods

[richofthenogs]

Hey all,

I've been lucky enough to play a monaco superpro (and lurk around here) for a couple of years now. I LOVE it except for a few minor issues....

first, I break my bass strings ALL the time (using Power Slinkys - usually the E 48 and A 38 break). Admittedly, i have quite a hamfist and use a weighted pick, so i'm pretty tough on strings... the strings ALWAYS break at the saddles, which i've had polished, but to no avail. I'm thinking of moving up in gauge to a set of 12's or even 13's, or MAYBE try the graphite saddles, or both(?). Any thoughts?

Also, I need locking tuners - I've got sperzels on my strat... i've read here that different tuners can effect the tone / balance - any thoughts / suggestions?

When I got the guitar, I had the Shaller locking strap system installed - I HATE it (it gets loose so much that it actually worse than no straplocks at all), and want to switch to the Dunlop (from reading another thread). Will there be any hassles in switching?

Finally, while it's under the knife, do y'all have any other suggestions (e.g. Tone Pros bridge [Hamer says they're bunk]) or anything else?

Thanks,

Rich of The Nogs

[heavyass St. Louis donkey rock (www.nogturnal.com)]

[GusS]

for the string breakage, try reversing the orientation of the stop tail and wrapping the strings over it. graphite tuners would help too but they will alter the tone a bit.

why do you need locking tuners?

dunlop strap lock buttons were standard.

id recommend to kahler the motherfucker... a guitar that can't divebomb is not a guitar.

[cswilder]

+1 For Dunlops and Top-Wrapping the strings.

Be sure to crank the tailpiece all the way down when you top wrap. If it's already all the way down you could try raising it instead of top-wrapping.

Chris

[straightblues]

I use Gibson BB King Strings, they are 10 - 54. So if you don't want thicker high strings, this set is a good way to go. They are pure nickell and maintain their tone for a very long time. I love old strings and I usually get about 6 months out of these strings playing a couple hours a day doing blues bends. (I know that is way longer than most of you would ever consider leaving strings on a guitar, but I love old strings.)

Also, you may want to try a saddle lube. I use a stuff called, "Big Bend's Nut Sauce". It works really well. I haven't broke a string since I started using it.

[richofthenogs]

why do you need locking tuners?

just 'cause, you know... they're cooler... actually they help save me a few seconds in changing strings and i feel that they stay in tuner a little better (?)

id recommend to kahler the motherfucker... a guitar that can't divebomb is not a guitar.

i'm stupid - are you talking about adding a trem?

finally, what's up with top-wrapping? i've heard of it, but never seen it in action. why would it help to alleviate string breakage at the saddles (which are lubed to hell but still break, btw)...

also, what's up with the tonepros and/or sustainblock bridges... any experience with a monaco-like guitar?

rico of the nogs

www.nogturnal.com

[cswilder]

Top wrapping decreases the string break angle over the saddles. I never want to see the strings touching the back of the bridge. This creates too much downpressure and will eventually collapse the bridge and causes string breakage. Try to get a ~25 degree break angle over the bridge and you will be in the right territory. The idea is to achieve sufficient but not excessive down pressure on the saddles.

Chris