VOX Electric Guitars
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of a VOX SDC-1 mini Electric Guitars. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the features, setup, and care of your new instrument.
Features
- TUNING PEG (x6)1a STRING POST (x6)
- TRUSS ROD ADJUSTMENT NUT
- PICKUP
- BRIDGE4a SADDLE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SCREWS4b INTONATION ADJUSTMENT SCREWS
- VOLUME
- TONE
- OUTPUT JACK
Restringing and string stretching
This guitar uses split shaft string posts. You can hold the strings firmly in place and restring quickly by threading the strings through the hole at the center of the shaft and then winding them. For more stable tuning, follow the steps below when restringing the guitar, which include stretching the strings.
Restringing with new strings
- Start with the sixth string (the low E). Thread the string through the metal hole at the back of the guitar body.
- After pulling the threaded string right up and over the bridge, pull the string towards the head of the guitar, and clip the string at a length 5 cm past the string post with a pair of nippers or a similar tool.Be careful—the tip of the string that you clipped will be very sharp!
- Thread the tip of the string through and all the way into the hole at the center of the string post.
- Bend the string where it comes out of the hole to a 90-degree angle, and wind the string until it reaches the correct pitch. Be careful that the strings do not overlap when you are winding them.
- Use the same steps to wind the other five strings onto the guitar.
Stretching the strings
This instrument uses a short scale length. The pitch of the strings on short scale guitars tends to vary more than regular guitars, due to slight lengthening or slippage. Because of this, it is normal to find that the guitar has gone out of tune if you haven’t played it for a while, or right after changing the strings. You can minimize this issue by stretching your strings using these steps.
- Begin by tuning all of the strings using an electronic tuner.
- Hold your guitar in playing position and stretch the strings beginning with the low E, by using the fingers of your right hand to gently pull the string about 1 to 2 cm away from the fingerboard at the 19th fret on the neck. When doing this, keep the string in the nut slot with your left hand in front of the nut (fret #0) to keep the string from sliding out.
- Retune the string, using your right hand this time to stretch the string in the same way, at a position several frets down. Repeat the stretching and tuning several times, ending up with your right hand around the 5th fret.
- Repeat this as necessary.
- Use the same steps on the remaining five strings.The SDC-1 mini uses custom high-ratio tuning pegs, which minimize string slippage and make the instrument as easy to possible to tune, like a full-scale guitar. That said, because of the short string length of short scale guitars, adjusting the tuning pegs will have a greater effect on the pitch than with a full-scale guitar.To keep the tuning stable, make sure that the nut slots are kept clear of any grains and particles that come off the strings.If you decide to use a completely different string gauge, you may need to bring your guitar to a specialist or a repair shop to have the nut slots adjusted
Set up
Each VOX guitar is adjusted at the factory for a wide range of playing styles, with .012″ to .054″ strings. You may want to fine tune the playability for your own personal style, different string gauges, or after a change in the weather.
Adjusting the Neck Relief
Before making any adjustments, you’ll need to verify the proper neck relief. With the guitar tuned, press the low E string down at both the 1st and 19th frets (a capo at the first fret makes this easier) and check the distance between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the low E string. Ideally, you’ll see a gap about the same size as the diameter of the high E string.If you see too much relief, you’ll need to tighten the truss rod by turning the truss rod adjustment nut clockwise with the included tool. If you don’t see enough relief, or if the string is touching the 8th fret, you’ll need to loosen the truss rod by turning the truss rod adjustment nut counter-clockwise.Never force the truss rod. If you are uncomfortable with this kind of adjustment, take your guitar to a qualified service center.
Adjusting the String height
Unless a large change in action is necessary, it is best to adjust action at the saddles instead of the bridge posts. To raise the action of a particular string, turn the appropriate bridge saddle height adjustment screws clockwise with the supplied tool. To lower the action, turn the appropriate bridge saddle height adjustment screws counterclockwise. Each bridge saddle has two saddle height adjustment screws, so try to adjust each screw by the same amount to keep the saddle level.
Adjusting the Intonation (Octave Tuning)
Changes in neck relief, string action, or string gauges can all change intonation. To check the intonation, compare the pitch of the note fretted at the 12th fret to the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic for each string. If the fretted note is sharp (higher in pitch than the harmonic), you’ll need to make the string longer by turning the intonation adjustment screw clockwise. If the fretted note is flat (lower in pitch than the harmonic), you’ll need to make the string shorter by turning the intonation adjustment screw counterclockwise.
Adjusting the Pickup Height
The height of the pickups adjusts the same way—by turning the height adjustment screws either clockwise (up, higher output) or counter clockwise (down, lower output). Remember to leave plenty of clearance for the vibrating strings.
Care
When you finish playing, wipe the guitar down with a clean, soft cloth. Use a quality guitar polish occasionally, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Protect your instrument from temperature extremes and sudden changes in temperature. A guitar left in a hot trunk of a car at full string tension can literally pull itself apart. If a cold guitar is brought suddenly into a heated room, the finish can crack.
Specifications
Scale: Short scale 476mmNumber of Frets: 19Accessories: Truss rod adjustment wrench, Saddle height adjustment wrench, Gigbag, Owner’s ManualSpecifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement.
Precautions
LocationUsing the unit in the following locations can result in a malfunction.
- In direct sunlight
- Locations of extreme temperature or humidity
- Excessively dusty or dirty locations
- Locations of excessive vibration
- Close to magnetic fi elds
HandlingTo avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the switches or controls.
CareIf the exterior becomes dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners such as benzene or thinner, or cleaning compounds or flammable polishes.
Keep this manualAfter reading this manual, please keep it for later reference.
Keeping foreign matter out of your equipmentNever set any container with liquid in it near this equipment. If liquid gets into the equipment, it could cause a breakdown, fi re, or electrical shock. Be careful not to let metal objects get into the equipment.
Notice regarding disposal (EU only)
When this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is displayed on the product, owner’s manual, battery, or battery package, it signifies that when you wish to dispose of this product, manual, package or battery you must do so in an approved manner. Do not discard this product, manual, package or battery along with ordinary household waste. Disposing in the correct manner will prevent harm to human health and potential damage to the environment. Since the correct method of disposal will depend on the applicable laws and regulations in your locality, please contact your local administrative body for details. If the battery contains heavy metals in excess of the regulated amount, a chemical symbol is dis-played below the “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol on the battery or battery package.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONSUMERS
This product has been manufactured according to strict specifications and voltage requirements that are applicable in the country in which it is intended that this product should be used. If you have purchased this product via the internet, through mail order, and/or via a telephone sale, you must verify that this product is intended to be used in the country in which you reside.WARNING: Use of this product in any country other than that for which it is intended could be dangerous and could invalidate the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty. Please also retain your receipt as proof of purchase otherwise your product may be disqualified from the manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty.
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