AEG-Electrolux GIBSON GBME User Manual
GIBSON GUITAR CORP. PRODUCT AND CARE GUIDE
Thank you for choosing GBME, part of the Gibson/Baldwin Family of
Brands. Inside you will find information regarding the care and use of
your new instrument. Additionally, we've included a sampling of some of
our other instruments from the Gibson/Baldwin family. Be sure to check
out our complete line of quality musical instruments at www.gibson.com.
Table of Contents
Care of Your Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Tuning Your Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Action Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Truss Rod Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Intonation and Saddle Adjustment for a Tune-o-matic Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Restringing Your Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Control Knobs and Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Control Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Contact Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
GBME Limited 5-Year Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The Gibson/Baldwin Family of Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-34
Care Of Your Instrument
We recommend that you always keep your instrument in a case or gig bag
when transporting or storing it. This reduces the possibility of damage due to
nicks and jams, or sudden changes in climate or atmosphere.
Never put your instrument in the trunk of your car or place anything on top of it.
Perspiration can damage the finish of your instrument so always wipe down
your guitar with a clean soft cloth after playing or before storing. Polishing with
high gloss guitar polish will prolong the life of the finish.
Tuning Your Instrument
Many individuals have their own tuning method. We recommend standard guitar
or bass tuning to A-440, using a tuning fork, electronic tuner or pitch pipe. The
following chart shows standard tuning. The 1st string is the smallest diameter.
Tune the two outside strings first, then tune towards the center. This equalizes
the pressure on the bridge and allows rapid tuning.
1
Guitar
6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st
E A D G B E
4th 3rd 2nd 1st
E A D G
Bass
Action Adjustment
Action is the distance that a string must be depressed before it meets the fret.
Action measurements are taken in 64th’s of an inch, and are calculated from
the top of the 12th fret to the underside of the string. GBME sets the action
on all instruments at the factory for optimum playability. On occasion, lower
than standard settings are desired by the player. This can be achieved by
adjusting the bridge studs
action can often result in “buzz” or
“rattle.” This is caused by the string
vibrating against the fret. Buzz or
rattle caused by lower than standard
action is not considered a defect of
the instrument.
2
(See Tune-o-matic Bridge). Lower than standard
Action at the 12th fret
Treble Side Bass Side
Electric Guitars 4/64 6/64
Acoustic Guitars 5/64 7/64
Bass Guitars 5/64 7/64
For action at the first fret, all instruments are set at the same height. Treble
strings are cut to 1/64" and the action progresses up to 2/64" on the bass
strings. Be sure that the truss rod is properly adjusted before setting action.
Truss Rod Adjustment
All guitar necks are subject to great stress as a result of string tension, humidity
or changes in climate. Occasionally the neck may need adjustment. The truss
rod is adjustable at the headstock on electric models and through the soundhole
of acoustic models, using an allen wrench or an adjustment wrench.
NOTE: This adjustment should be performed periodically and only by qualified repair
personnel. Over-adjustment can result in damage to the instrument and will not be
covered under warranty.
Intonation and Saddle Adjustment for a Tune-o-matic Bridge
The Tune-o-matic bridge comes to you pre-adjusted, but several adjustment
options are available:
1. String Height or Action* The height of the bridge can be adjusted by
turning the two slot-head screws on either side of the Tune-o-matic bridge;
clockwise to lower, counter-clockwise to raise.
3
2. Adjusting The Intonation* Intonation adjustment is usually only necessary
when different gauge strings are used (it can also be affected by the angle
of a tremolo unit). The saddle positions are adjusted by the individual slot-head
screws located on the front of the bridge, sliding the saddles forward or backward. To check the intonation: Use an electronic tuner and tune the guitar to
a standard pitch. Play the harmonic at the 12th fret, and compare it to the fretted
note at the 12th fret. These notes should read the same on the tuner.
If the 12th fret harmonic pitch is lower than the fretted note, slide the saddle
back (toward the tailpiece). If the 12th fret harmonic pitch is higher than the fretted note slide the saddle forward (toward the neck).
* Adjusting the intonation and string height will affect the playability of your
guitar. If you are unsure of any of the above operations please take your guitar
to an experienced guitar technician or contact GBME.
4
The Tune-o-matic Bridge
Saddles
Slot-head height
adjustment screws
Slot-head saddle
adjustment screws
5
Restringing your Instrument
As simple as it may sound, proper string installation is critical to the playability of
your instrument. An incorrectly installed string can slip and cause the instrument
to go out of tune.
1. At the Bridge The lower end of an acoustic instrument is strung as shown on
the left of the page. Different instruments are strung according to the bridge and
string type. The bridge end is always strung
stock.
2. At the Headstock To fasten a string on the post and prevent slipping, bring the
string up the center of the instrument to the post desired. Put string (A) through
the hole or slot in the post at (B) to (C); around the upper side of the post (D), and
under the string (A) at (B), back again around the string post (D). Now when you
wind the string it will lock itself against the post.
NOTE: Notch
should face the
headstock
6
before the string posts at the head-
Control Knobs and Switches
Your GBME electric guitar is capable of producing a variety of sounds by
manipulating the controls.
Volume Controls The volume knobs, on all models, control the amount of
volume each pickup is putting out. Turning the control clockwise produces more
volume. Turning the control counter-clockwise produces less volume.
Tone Controls The tone controls on all models are “Treble Cut” controls. This
means that as you turn the knob counter-clockwise you reduce the treble output
of that pickup and produce a darker tone. Turning the control fully clockwise will
produce the brightest sound. This means that the pickup’s full range
of harmonic frequencies is being passed on to your amplifier.
Selector Switch The selector switch permits you to turn pickups on and off. On
most guitars with two pickups, the middle position turns both pickups on. When
the switch is “up” only the neck or “rhythm” pickup is turned on. When
the switch is “down” only the bridge or “treble” pickup is turned on.
7
Control Layouts
(one pickup, one volume, one tone)
Open-coil humbucking pickup
Master volume
Master tone
8
Control Layouts
(two pickups, one volume, one tone
and pickup selector)
Neck pickup (rhythm)
Bridge pickup (treble)
Volume control
Pickup selector switch
Up-rhythm Middle-both Down-treble
Tone control
9
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