King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: why is there so much tension on some guitars?
Does it have tall frets?
Does it have tall frets?
why is there so much tension on some guitars?
- Thread starter drew_half_empty
- Start date
IanBallard
New member
Re: why is there so much tension on some guitars?
Effective string-tension length plays a part in it. My guitar's feel got way looser when I installed a Floyd. Instead of continuous tension from the tuners to the end of the block, it's from the locking nut to the saddle blocks, considerably shorter. I've played some Jazzmasters and they are TIGHT compared to other Fenders and that's because the effective tension length is crazy long and because that guitar has almost no break angles worth mentioning. Of course, typical emo kids who play JM's don't do much bending anyway...
Effective string-tension length plays a part in it. My guitar's feel got way looser when I installed a Floyd. Instead of continuous tension from the tuners to the end of the block, it's from the locking nut to the saddle blocks, considerably shorter. I've played some Jazzmasters and they are TIGHT compared to other Fenders and that's because the effective tension length is crazy long and because that guitar has almost no break angles worth mentioning. Of course, typical emo kids who play JM's don't do much bending anyway...
Re: why is there so much tension on some guitars?
I go pretty deep into the "whys" in this thread:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=202676
I'm not aware of another source on the internet that goes into that level of depth on the subject.
As far as the two exact guitars you are comparing....got links/pics/full specs? I can most likely explain what's going on.
I go pretty deep into the "whys" in this thread:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=202676
I'm not aware of another source on the internet that goes into that level of depth on the subject.
As far as the two exact guitars you are comparing....got links/pics/full specs? I can most likely explain what's going on.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: why is there so much tension on some guitars?
Boom!
Boom!
Re: why is there so much tension on some guitars?
I never heard back, but I'll take a stab at it based on the limited info in the first post.
First of all, looking at measurable tension, are the strings the exact same brand/model/gauge? If not, then one set of the strings may have higher mass (usually from a thicker core wire), which will have higher tension.
Looking at perceived tension:
How does the break angle from the bridge to the tailpiece on the Tempest compare to the break angle from the bridge to the Bigsby on the Gretsch? The one with the steeper break angle will play tighter.
How much string length is there from the bridge to the tailpiece on the Tempest compared to the string length from the bridge to the Bigsby on the Gretsch? The one with shorter string length will play tighter.
I can give a tip to ease tension on Bigsby equipped guitars: I went from the factory 7/8" spring to a 1" spring on my B5 equipped Tele. The longer spring has more give and makes the guitar play slinkier. It also makes the bar sit higher, which works better for me in an ergonomic sense.
How big are the frets on the Gretsch? Bigger/taller frets tend to play slinkier because you get the semi-scalloped neck feel. i.e. your fingers don't touch and drag on the fretboard like it does with shorter frets.
How do action and relief compare on the two guitars?
There are other possibilities, but that's a few as a starting point.
I never heard back, but I'll take a stab at it based on the limited info in the first post.
First of all, looking at measurable tension, are the strings the exact same brand/model/gauge? If not, then one set of the strings may have higher mass (usually from a thicker core wire), which will have higher tension.
Looking at perceived tension:
How does the break angle from the bridge to the tailpiece on the Tempest compare to the break angle from the bridge to the Bigsby on the Gretsch? The one with the steeper break angle will play tighter.
How much string length is there from the bridge to the tailpiece on the Tempest compared to the string length from the bridge to the Bigsby on the Gretsch? The one with shorter string length will play tighter.
I can give a tip to ease tension on Bigsby equipped guitars: I went from the factory 7/8" spring to a 1" spring on my B5 equipped Tele. The longer spring has more give and makes the guitar play slinkier. It also makes the bar sit higher, which works better for me in an ergonomic sense.
How big are the frets on the Gretsch? Bigger/taller frets tend to play slinkier because you get the semi-scalloped neck feel. i.e. your fingers don't touch and drag on the fretboard like it does with shorter frets.
How do action and relief compare on the two guitars?
There are other possibilities, but that's a few as a starting point.
Last edited:
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: why is there so much tension on some guitars?
Tempest is long gone, but I'll compare with my Les Paul, which aint goin anywhere and has really nice fluid tension. EB 11's are about perfect on it
more of the string is spanned out on the gretsch
the angle is less drastic on the gretsch
frets are a little taller on the LP but not a ton
Bigsby has the 1" spring
Tempest is long gone, but I'll compare with my Les Paul, which aint goin anywhere and has really nice fluid tension. EB 11's are about perfect on it
more of the string is spanned out on the gretsch
the angle is less drastic on the gretsch
frets are a little taller on the LP but not a ton
Bigsby has the 1" spring