Guitarist Guild: A Musical Community Beyond Strings

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mick on December 29, 2013, 06:37:26 PM

Title: Sustain ?
Post by: Mick on December 29, 2013, 06:37:26 PM
So we all know there's an on going debate as to whether the wood a guitar is built from really affects the tone of the guitar.  But what about Sustain, where does that come from?

The wood (again) ?
The way the neck and body are joined?
The Pickups / electronics?
The Strings? (as in type / make of)

What's your theory on this.
Title: Re: Sustain ?
Post by: Scarebear on December 29, 2013, 11:46:43 PM
I believe the neck/body relationship counts and also the bridge type. I'm a big fan of string through body guitars.
Title: Re: Sustain ?
Post by: Connor Baxter on December 30, 2013, 09:26:26 PM
I would say there's just too many things that affect it, the things I've heard that increase sustain is hilarious!

I would imagine the body and neck joint being very important, due to the strings being anchored to "the guitar"

Then i would say that the bridge would make a huge difference, you always hear about how guys upgrade their strat saddles and trem blocks to stell as it resonates better than that die cast crap and zinc blocks.

3rd i would say that the strings themselves would account for it too.

Rotosound's for the win! ;)
Title: Re: Sustain ?
Post by: aldridgeg on December 31, 2013, 01:14:43 AM
I have upgraded my Strat term block and saddles to steel (Callaham) and can confirm it's made a considerable difference.

Happy days!

Title: Re: Sustain ?
Post by: Sleeping Dog FX on January 06, 2014, 12:36:27 AM
I'd say that the materials used affect the amount a guitars going to sustain. I use a few Aluminium guitars which sustain like crazy. The bridge, Neck/body relationship will also all affect the sustain.
Title: Re: Sustain ?
Post by: Scarebear on January 06, 2014, 12:54:20 PM
Quote from: Sleeping Dog FX on January 06, 2014, 12:36:27 AM
... I use a few Aluminium guitars which sustain like crazy. ...

I've wanted to try an aluminium guitar for so long. They look amazing. I've wondered how different the sustain was on one of those.