Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

[Blille]

I believe a couple of people here own Strandbergs. I'm considering a production Strandberg and the biggest question I have is about the neck.

Is it easy to switch back and forth between the endurneck and your other guitars?

My favorite profile is Charvel and I love the current strat elites, as a reference.

And does the fanning get in the way of classic jazz chords voicing like Dom 13 or #5?

Finally, does being chambered do anything for the tone?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

I’m curious as well. I really like what they are designing.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

I really liked the Endurneck. It's a bit on the thicker side and to me at least, their advertised benefits did materialize.

What did NOT materialize:
* I've had 2 Strandbergs, both were worth way less to me than their price tags
- a US-made (Washburn CS) 6-string which, while devoid of structure issues, never could play the way a $USD4k (as it was priced at the time) was supposed to. There was always buzz I could never get rid of and the 'nut' (glorified string-guide in this case due to the 0-fret) was cut unevenly string-spacing wise
- a Korean Metal 7-string which had plenty of issues. It shouldn't even have made it as a B-spot. I believe I posted a thread on here highlighting the issues
* The 0.5" fan on the 6-string is completely useless, even more-so as the fan is ALL on the bass-end of the guitar, which to me doesn't follow my natural hand placement at all. I feel that with the neutral fret being the bridge, the fan would make a lot more sense, though I've not tried such a setup yet

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

I have no problem with the fanned frets. They are easy to get used to, and in some ways, make your chords sound even better. The neck is another thing, however. It really depends on if your thumb is always in the dead center of the back of the neck: if that is the way you play all the time, then you will love it. If your thumb moves anywhere else, the weird trapezoid shape will be odd to get used to, and I bet you'll end up changing your technique.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

^^ which means that Strandberg endurneck will force players to adopt a more "shreddy"-correct "jazz-rock" style. And abandon the 60s/70s liberal style... just a thought.

 

[Blille]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

How about changing back and forth between this neck and a normal guitar?

I really liked the Endurneck. It's a bit on the thicker side and to me at least, their advertised benefits did materialize.

What did NOT materialize:
* I've had 2 Strandbergs, both were worth way less to me than their price tags
- a US-made (Washburn CS) 6-string which, while devoid of structure issues, never could play the way a $USD4k (as it was priced at the time) was supposed to. There was always buzz I could never get rid of and the 'nut' (glorified string-guide in this case due to the 0-fret) was cut unevenly string-spacing wise
- a Korean Metal 7-string which had plenty of issues. It shouldn't even have made it as a B-spot. I believe I posted a thread on here highlighting the issues
* The 0.5" fan on the 6-string is completely useless, even more-so as the fan is ALL on the bass-end of the guitar, which to me doesn't follow my natural hand placement at all. I feel that with the neutral fret being the bridge, the fan would make a lot more sense, though I've not tried such a setup yet

Thanks.

That's a pretty bad Experience overall.

I'm thinking of a production model, which now are made in Indonesia. Hopefully it's better.

Not thrilled with the price tag obviously. The two week period gives me some comfort, were you able to exchange them?

I have no problem with the fanned frets. They are easy to get used to, and in some ways, make your chords sound even better. The neck is another thing, however. It really depends on if your thumb is always in the dead center of the back of the neck: if that is the way you play all the time, then you will love it. If your thumb moves anywhere else, the weird trapezoid shape will be odd to get used to, and I bet you'll end up changing your technique.

Thanks.

I'm pretty classical style with the thumb in the back unless I'm playing cowboy chords or lazy so I guess it could work for me.

^^ which means that Strandberg endurneck will force players to adopt a more "shreddy"-correct "jazz-rock" style. And abandon the 60s/70s liberal style... just a thought.

That sounded like it had a political agenda lol

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

^^ which means that Strandberg endurneck will force players to adopt a more "shreddy"-correct "jazz-rock" style. And abandon the 60s/70s liberal style... just a thought.

Well, perhaps, but an instrument should fit to the player, not the other way around. I can sort of dig the idea of the Strandberg necks, but too many players I know who have tried one absolutely hated them.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

Are any of the Strandberg guitars available without the fanned frets?
I looked briefly on the website but all of therm had fanned frets.

 

[Silver]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

I saw a preview of their NAMM 2019 offerings... They're going to be doing true temperament frets as standard, these will not be fanned. I think they're still offering the straight but fanned frets too.

IMO, they took a step backwards when they changed the trem. I liked it better when it was a needle-bearing design, now it's a knife edge so I'm thinking there's little difference between it and a Floyd (they've subtracted innovation). Only it's more difficult to tune because those tuners are stiff!

Like Mincer said, the players style should shape the choice of guitar, not the guitar shaping the players style. The enduroneck is designed to encourage and make more comfortable the traditional classical guitar style fretting hand placement. If you play like this already, I'm sure it'll feel very comfortable and ergonomic. But if you play with the thumb over the top like so many of us do, it won't suit you.

Also, the prices are insane. You're paying used Suhr money for a quality more akin to mid range Ibanez/Schecter/LTD/Epiphone/etc.

You mention Charvel... You could buy a Guthrie Given signature for the price of an Indonesian Strandberg.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

That’s a bummer. I’d prefer just standard frets. I’m not interested in fanned or true temperament.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

I kid I kid, as someone who has fallen in love with asymmetrical necks -I guess I'd probably love this too.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

They do plenty of guitars with standard frets. But with more and more companies in the headless game, they have some competition in the headless game. They don't make 22 fret versions, so I am out.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

They do plenty of guitars with standard frets. But with more and more companies in the headless game, they have some competition in the headless game. They don't make 22 fret versions, so I am out.

Whats your issue with 24 frets? curious -I mean you don't have to use those 2 extra.

 

[Blille]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

They do plenty of guitars with standard frets. But with more and more companies in the headless game, they have some competition in the headless game. They don't make 22 fret versions, so I am out.

Whats your issue with 24 frets? curious -I mean you don't have to use those 2 extra.

I feel similarly and it's one of the things that stops me from pulling the trigger. The sweet sound of the neck pickup in a 21/22 fret guitar.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

My Strandbergs DID make me play in the classical position and with a different thumb placement... and I felt better for it I use that on all my guitars now, pretty much.

The US-Strandberg I had didn't have any actual outward issue. I had gotten it second hand. A friend of mine has it now, he found it perfect for him and doesn't notice the feel feedback I gave him, so all good.
The Metal 7 I returned to MusiciansFriends. They put it back on their website which annoys me, as it was sub-B-stock quality. I'd likely never order from MF after. Not that they didn't take care of me; but someone else now is going to have that seriously-flawed instrument and not know about it until they receive it which is BS.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

I feel similarly and it's one of the things that stops me from pulling the trigger. The sweet sound of the neck pickup in a 21/22 fret guitar.

I guess I never thought about it -all my Humbucking guitars have 22 except 2 which have 24 and the Humbuckers are basically against the tongue. Single coils have plenty of space in either config.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

There is a *vastly* different sound in the neck position humbucker from 22 vs 24 frets. You lose throaty lower mids and resonance (I don't know how to describe it) with 24 frets. As someone who uses the neck pickup about 70% of the time, this is A Very Big Deal.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

There is a *vastly* different sound in the neck position humbucker from 22 vs 24 frets. You lose throaty lower mids and resonance (I don't know how to describe it) with 24 frets. As someone who uses the neck pickup about 70% of the time, this is A Very Big Deal.

Do you find that with a 24 fretter, some boomy-ness is lessened, since the pickup is technically closer to the bridge?

I ask because I’m sure sometime soon I will be swapping the neck pickup on my new Ibby soon.
However I typically use the neck for cleans and lead sounds and I have found that under a decent amount of gain some pickups can be too bottom ended.

 

[Silver]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

There is a *vastly* different sound in the neck position humbucker from 22 vs 24 frets. You lose throaty lower mids and resonance (I don't know how to describe it) with 24 frets. As someone who uses the neck pickup about 70% of the time, this is A Very Big Deal.

Agree completely, and I also like 22 fret neck humbucker a lot more. So much so that I have 22 frets even on my 'shredder' guitars.

I think this is why Joe Satriani opted for a single coil sized humbucker for the 24 fret version of his guitar. Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal does the same. Though in my opinion, this solution is a compromise too far.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strandberg experienced: Tell me about the endurneck

As far as boominess, that is why I like the pickup location on 22 fret guitars. I always called it 'throatiness' (some luthiers I've met used the same term). The idea of a single coil pickup there helps, but it really is about the distance from the bridge. Strandberg has a 22 fret guitar in their custom gallery, and I will ask if they ever plan on a production model. The Steinberger I play is the only model ever with 22 frets.