Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headstock?

[sosomething]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

Except on guitars with double-locking string systems, like a Floyd with a locking nut.

At that point the only things that affect bending are scale length, string gauge, and the amount of tension from the bridge springs.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

I don't think that the neck substantially bends into your bend.

This is easy to test:
- take the guitar
- connect to a tuner
- tune carefully
- bend the high E or B string as high as you can, but don't play it
- play the open low E string
- observe what the tuner says about the low E string

If the neck bends into your bend, then the open low E string would lose tune and be too low frequency until you release the bend on the other string.

I did that test yesterday and I was wrong. The neck actually gives way quite a bit.

Bending the H string I can easily make the low E string go down halfway to D'.

Of course that doesn't matter for the question of how much force you have to apply to bend the H string by two steps. Whether the neck gives way or not, the force from your fingers is the same.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

You have an H string on your guitars???

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

Well guys, had my one mates 70's maple neck L.P here earlier and sorry to say that for whatever reason I still think I'm right. My mate also agrees that although we both use EB 10's, action is roughly the same both tuned to Eb... both my L.P's are easy to bend strings. My guitars aren't bulsa.. all 3 are Gibson L.P's... it's just seems that maple necks are naturally stiffer than Mahogany?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

You have an H string on your guitars???

I guess that's a B string for you people not from the land of Beethoven

 

[uOpt]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

Well guys, had my one mates 70's maple neck L.P here earlier and sorry to say that for whatever reason I still think I'm right. My mate also agrees that although we both use EB 10's, action is roughly the same both tuned to Eb... both my L.P's are easy to bend strings. My guitars aren't bulsa.. all 3 are Gibson L.P's... it's just seems that maple necks are naturally stiffer than Mahogany?

Whether the neck gives way or not doesn't matter, the force required to bend E to F is still the same.

Are you sure you used a tuner to bend precisely to the same note on both and did you use some measurement to tell what the required force is?

I know from my guitars that the same force required feels different to the hand depending on neck profile. If there's nothing to brace your thumb against on a thin C neck then it feels harder to apply the same force. That is why I went with the kitchen scale in the first place.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

Hey uOpt, yes I did use a tuner and I'm not really doubting your results, maybe it's a feel thing? My fingers don't get sore after 5 minutes of playing loads of bends on my L.P's... on the maple neck L.P and on my ASAT they do? Playing both maple neck L.P's I know, it relly is more like playing a Tele type... great for snappy, tight rhythm playing but much tougher on the fingers for lead. All the best.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

Hey uOpt, yes I did use a tuner and I'm not really doubting your results, maybe it's a feel thing? My fingers don't get sore after 5 minutes of playing loads of bends on my L.P's... on the maple neck L.P and on my ASAT they do? Playing both maple neck L.P's I know, it relly is more like playing a Tele type... great for snappy, tight rhythm playing but much tougher on the fingers for lead. All the best.

For me, it is the neck profile (as I mentioned above, I need something to brace the thumb against, a V neck is ideal for me) and it is how smooth the fretboard is.

A smoother fretboard allows me to play with a lot of bending much longer. A sticky paint covered maple fretboard with small frets will wear me out quickly.

The Tele will probably also have a lower fretboard radius, 9.5" or even 7.25". Apart from the fact that this requires higher action when bending it is also harder to bend "around the curve".

I wish my scalloped Axe was ready

None of this has to do with what I measured for this thread, which is only concerned with the question of how much force is required for the different headstocks.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

I gotta say I've never played a scalloped board, I have a feeling I'd be too heavy handed... I believe you need a light touch? What type of guitar you getting?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

I gotta say I've never played a scalloped board, I have a feeling I'd be too heavy handed... I believe you need a light touch? What type of guitar you getting?

I designated some old Blazer/Roadstar parts to that project. Didn't turn out well yet, now waiting for replacement parts and some tools

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showpost.php?p=1668227&postcount=46

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

Oh man, I used to have a great Roadstar... or was it a Roadster? Either way it was a great guitar... Hope you get yours sorted bud. All the best.

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Experiment: is bending actually easier on an in-line headstock than a 3/3 headsto

So what you're pretty much saying is firebird FTW.