Differences between same model guitars?
- Thread starter mirkok1
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Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Although it should be similar there is always a chance it might not be. There are many variations within the same species, in fact even within the same pieces of wood so as much as there is a chance the tone will be similar there is also a chance it will not be.
As far as the feel of the instrument goes, it should be pretty similar especially if both guitars have a proper setup.
Although it should be similar there is always a chance it might not be. There are many variations within the same species, in fact even within the same pieces of wood so as much as there is a chance the tone will be similar there is also a chance it will not be.
As far as the feel of the instrument goes, it should be pretty similar especially if both guitars have a proper setup.
dystrust
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
That depends on what you mean by the same. If you mean that if you play both guitars with identical settings will it sound and feel EXACTLY the same? No, they won't. I would expect both guitars to be quite close, but they'll vary slightly due to electronic and construction tolerances. You'd also have to be sure both guitars were set up exactly the same as that could also cause variation.
That depends on what you mean by the same. If you mean that if you play both guitars with identical settings will it sound and feel EXACTLY the same? No, they won't. I would expect both guitars to be quite close, but they'll vary slightly due to electronic and construction tolerances. You'd also have to be sure both guitars were set up exactly the same as that could also cause variation.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
If your friend got a mim you should get a usa or mij.
If your friend got a mim you should get a usa or mij.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
NyahahahaHA!
But seriously, like down to the set up and type of STRINGS can make huge differences in sound and feel. My answer would be yes basically, but EXACTLY is kind of a stretch for any 2 separate guitars, and I'm talking like brothers from the same tree off the same assembly line. However, it will (or at least should be) certainly be close enough, and you can always change string sets and tweak the set up until it sounds right.
NyahahahaHA!
But seriously, like down to the set up and type of STRINGS can make huge differences in sound and feel. My answer would be yes basically, but EXACTLY is kind of a stretch for any 2 separate guitars, and I'm talking like brothers from the same tree off the same assembly line. However, it will (or at least should be) certainly be close enough, and you can always change string sets and tweak the set up until it sounds right.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Even if you bought a guitar that truly was EXACTLY the same as your friend's, with a theoretically perfect set up and identical amplification, it still would not sound exactly the same. Your individual playing styles should see to that.
Get to a music store. Annoy the staff by trying as many examples of the Fender Standard Stratocaster as possible before settling on the one that suits you best.
If you and your friend plan to play together in a band, there is an argument for having two slightly different guitars. This would help to differentiate between the two parts that you would be playing. It should also add sonic variety. e.g. If your friend has an SSS Strat, get yourself a HSS, HSH or HH model.
Even if you bought a guitar that truly was EXACTLY the same as your friend's, with a theoretically perfect set up and identical amplification, it still would not sound exactly the same. Your individual playing styles should see to that.
Get to a music store. Annoy the staff by trying as many examples of the Fender Standard Stratocaster as possible before settling on the one that suits you best.
If you and your friend plan to play together in a band, there is an argument for having two slightly different guitars. This would help to differentiate between the two parts that you would be playing. It should also add sonic variety. e.g. If your friend has an SSS Strat, get yourself a HSS, HSH or HH model.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
I have 3 MIJ Jackson Dinkys, all with a JB in the bridge, same type of hardware, alder bodies, bolt on maple necks, blah blah blah, and guess what? They each sound a little different. They feel pretty close to the same in my hands, but the tone of each is slightly different.
I have 3 MIJ Jackson Dinkys, all with a JB in the bridge, same type of hardware, alder bodies, bolt on maple necks, blah blah blah, and guess what? They each sound a little different. They feel pretty close to the same in my hands, but the tone of each is slightly different.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Even from the same tree, wood varies, depending on where it is: inner trunk (old wood) or outer trunk (new wood), near a branch, low on the trunk (under greater pressure) or high on the trunk. All of this effects grain, density, mineral content, water content, etc. And in turn, those variations impact tone and sustain to some degree. Back in the 1950's Ted McCarty said that the same size piece of mahogany could weigh 5 lbs or 25 lbs, depending on the mineral content.
If wood was more consistent, we wouldn't spend so much time swapping PU's, pots, magnets, etc to get the sounds we want. There's no guarantee how a PU will sound in an individual guitar.
Even from the same tree, wood varies, depending on where it is: inner trunk (old wood) or outer trunk (new wood), near a branch, low on the trunk (under greater pressure) or high on the trunk. All of this effects grain, density, mineral content, water content, etc. And in turn, those variations impact tone and sustain to some degree. Back in the 1950's Ted McCarty said that the same size piece of mahogany could weigh 5 lbs or 25 lbs, depending on the mineral content.
If wood was more consistent, we wouldn't spend so much time swapping PU's, pots, magnets, etc to get the sounds we want. There's no guarantee how a PU will sound in an individual guitar.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
I have long since given up trying to impose my expectations onto instruments. Instead, if I guitar that really does it for me shows up, I buy it.
If you are that keen on your friend's guitar, make an offer for it.
I have long since given up trying to impose my expectations onto instruments. Instead, if I guitar that really does it for me shows up, I buy it.
If you are that keen on your friend's guitar, make an offer for it.
Brandenburg
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
2 exact same guitars as most said will be close or will vary to pretty close to not so much.. apart from the tangible items that effect a guitar such as the way its set up... slight variations in the woods used,electronic inconsistencies,etc.. there is also the intangible items like "feel" or mojo.. not all guitars have that.. I have 5 guitars and only 1 has that.. possibly 2 that i have bonded with..
Also the playing style of the guitarist can change the way a guitar might sound..even exact guitars
short answer.. might or might not sound the same
2 exact same guitars as most said will be close or will vary to pretty close to not so much.. apart from the tangible items that effect a guitar such as the way its set up... slight variations in the woods used,electronic inconsistencies,etc.. there is also the intangible items like "feel" or mojo.. not all guitars have that.. I have 5 guitars and only 1 has that.. possibly 2 that i have bonded with..
Also the playing style of the guitarist can change the way a guitar might sound..even exact guitars
short answer.. might or might not sound the same
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Manufacturers would like all the specimens of a given model to sound the same, but it's not possible. Besides wood, PU's of any given model won't all sound the same. With some guitars, everything comes together to give it 'mojo', and with others only some of the variables do.
Manufacturers would like all the specimens of a given model to sound the same, but it's not possible. Besides wood, PU's of any given model won't all sound the same. With some guitars, everything comes together to give it 'mojo', and with others only some of the variables do.
tubecrunch
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
In even simpler terms, fender had a variety of neck shapes and fret sizes that appear all in the same model, even though the spec sheet on the website suggests otherwise.
In even simpler terms, fender had a variety of neck shapes and fret sizes that appear all in the same model, even though the spec sheet on the website suggests otherwise.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
When I took the tour of Gibson factory, the tourguide mentioned that the guitar necks are hand sanded to a tolerance of 1/16th of an inch. I think he meant for us to be impressed with how uniform that would make them, but 1/16" is fairly substantial when you're talking about a piece of wood that's only a little over an inch thick to begin with. And if the tolerance is actually 1/16" from a specified norm, that means there could be as much as 1/8" difference between two "identical" guitars.
When I took the tour of Gibson factory, the tourguide mentioned that the guitar necks are hand sanded to a tolerance of 1/16th of an inch. I think he meant for us to be impressed with how uniform that would make them, but 1/16" is fairly substantial when you're talking about a piece of wood that's only a little over an inch thick to begin with. And if the tolerance is actually 1/16" from a specified norm, that means there could be as much as 1/8" difference between two "identical" guitars.
DreX
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
It depends on what you mean by "the same". It can't be 100% the same because of physics and electronic tolerance issues, so already 100% "the same" is off the table, but a lot of people would consider 99% similar to constitute "the same", so if that's you, they they are the same, but if you are a cork sniffer type who strums the guitar and and carefully listens to it go silent with his ear to the speaker, they might not be the same.
It depends on what you mean by "the same". It can't be 100% the same because of physics and electronic tolerance issues, so already 100% "the same" is off the table, but a lot of people would consider 99% similar to constitute "the same", so if that's you, they they are the same, but if you are a cork sniffer type who strums the guitar and and carefully listens to it go silent with his ear to the speaker, they might not be the same.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Yeah, just look how haphazard everything there is.
Yeah, just look how haphazard everything there is.
DreX
New member
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Having several MIJ, MIA and MIMs to compare, I'd say the Mexican plant is not especially precise, the body radius is inconsistent, the finish isn't quite as flat and even, but then again, they're still very good and they look and feel hand made, and that's nice. I think it was Jimmy Vaughan who said he thought modern MIMs were more like vintage Fenders in terms of build quality, I could believe that. The MIJ's are so uniform that you'd swear the whole thing is made by robots start to end, you have to have different frames of mind to appreciate a guitar for being either too perfect, or somewhat imperfect.
Regarding the wood, I've never seen an substantial reason to believe the wood is somehow substandard, either in terms of tone or looks or durability. Decent wood is not hard to come by, why should we believe they're having to settle for ply wood or pine? They are at a high enough price point that such concessions shouldn't be necessary.
Having several MIJ, MIA and MIMs to compare, I'd say the Mexican plant is not especially precise, the body radius is inconsistent, the finish isn't quite as flat and even, but then again, they're still very good and they look and feel hand made, and that's nice. I think it was Jimmy Vaughan who said he thought modern MIMs were more like vintage Fenders in terms of build quality, I could believe that. The MIJ's are so uniform that you'd swear the whole thing is made by robots start to end, you have to have different frames of mind to appreciate a guitar for being either too perfect, or somewhat imperfect.
Regarding the wood, I've never seen an substantial reason to believe the wood is somehow substandard, either in terms of tone or looks or durability. Decent wood is not hard to come by, why should we believe they're having to settle for ply wood or pine? They are at a high enough price point that such concessions shouldn't be necessary.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
Somebody post the photo of the MIM Strat bodies prepared for sunburst, exposing the way they are laminated.
Somebody post the photo of the MIM Strat bodies prepared for sunburst, exposing the way they are laminated.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Differences between same model guitars?
For his earliest instruments, Leo Fender originally chose Pine and, soon afterwards, Light Ash purely for reasons of appearance (and price!).
Some of Paul Reed Smith's early workshop guitars got boldly flamed maple because he happened to have some from an old chest of drawers.
Had Leo been into flame and birdseye maple, the Fender Select Telecaster could have been the norm.
For his earliest instruments, Leo Fender originally chose Pine and, soon afterwards, Light Ash purely for reasons of appearance (and price!).
Some of Paul Reed Smith's early workshop guitars got boldly flamed maple because he happened to have some from an old chest of drawers.
Had Leo been into flame and birdseye maple, the Fender Select Telecaster could have been the norm.
