Stratocaster sustain question

stef89

New member
So I got my first am strat. Been playing Gibson type guitars all my life. First thing ive notised is the fender strat barely has any sustain.. Compared to my American washburn and gibson melody maker wich vibrate and sustains for really long. Is this normal for fender guitars? Is it the bolt on neck? Ive flushed my bridge raised the action lowered the pickups to get the magnets away from the string doesent make it better.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

So I got my first am strat. Been playing Gibson type guitars all my life. First thing ive notised is the fender strat barely has any sustain.. Compared to my American washburn and gibson melody maker wich vibrate and sustains for really long. Is this normal for fender guitars? Is it the bolt on neck? Ive flushed my bridge raised the action lowered the pickups to get the magnets away from the string doesent make it better.

Have you got any pedals on? I found my multiefx pedal on my practice rig kills sustain especially on singles.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

How loose is the tremelo? Is the back of the tremelo lifted up off the body, or is it making firm contact? If you lift up on the tremolo arm, does the bridge plate move a lot? If so, take the back cover off, tighten the two claw screws, or add more / replace old springs to put more tension on the trem plate. More tension will make for better bridge plate contact and will yield more sustain.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

How loose is the tremelo? Is the back of the tremelo lifted up off the body, or is it making firm contact? If you lift up on the tremolo arm, does the bridge plate move a lot? If so, take the back cover off, tighten the two claw screws, or add more / replace old springs to put more tension on the trem plate. More tension will make for better bridge plate contact and will yield more sustain.

My bridge is flat. As I dont use the trem arm :)
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

It could just be the nature of that particular guitar. It might be in need of a good setup?

Ive done all I can, setup is great. Its just the strat sounds alitle dead to my ears sterile sounding. Might be just strats sounds this way cause im so use to set necks and mahogany maybe.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

Which EXACT model of American-made Fender Stratocaster do you have? There are several different price points. The quality of constructional materials and hardware vary accordingly.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

Ive done all I can, setup is great. Its just the strat sounds alitle dead to my ears sterile sounding. Might be just strats sounds this way cause im so use to set necks and mahogany maybe.

I find you need a hell wicked amp to get the most out of true single coils. Also volume turn that right up. Imo the neck joint has little to do with sustain. Out of all my 20 guitars i find my bolt on destroyer sustains the most. Even over my neck through guitars.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

Open strings sustain wery well and resonate good, but whenever I fret the sustain gets bad..
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

Which EXACT model of American-made Fender Stratocaster do you have? There are several different price points. The quality of constructional materials and hardware vary accordingly.

American special strat made in 2013
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

I find you need a hell wicked amp to get the most out of true single coils. Also volume turn that right up. Imo the neck joint has little to do with sustain. Out of all my 20 guitars i find my bolt on destroyer sustains the most. Even over my neck through guitars.

Doesent really help when its dead acoustically really.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

Open strings sustain wery well and resonate good, but whenever I fret the sustain gets bad..

You might be adjusting to the Fender scale length, which is closer to most acoustic guitars. (Gibsons are somewhat short in scale, though I don't know about Washburns). It's a plunkier sound, and requires more strength to fret cleanly.
 
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Re: Stratocaster sustain question

It is either in need of a setup or just that particular Strat. I have several Strats that have incredible sustain one with a two point tremolo and the others with vintage tremolos.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

You might be adjusting to the Fender scale length, which is closer to most acoustic guitars. (Gibsons are somewhat short in scale, though I don't know about Washburns). It's a plunkier sound, and requires more strength to fret cleanly.

I just tought of this today! I notised when i play on my gibson type guitars with shorter scale length I can see the strings vibrate ALLOT more. And with my fender the vibrate considerable less.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

I just tought of this today! I notised when i play on my gibson type guitars with shorter scale length I can see the strings vibrate ALLOT more. And with my fender the vibrate considerable less.

I'd try going a gauge lighter than the strings you normally use, and also getting a professional setup to factory-recommended specs. Also, try turning your amp up.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

What does that mean?? ;)

I respectfully suggest that you sell the Fender American Special Stratocaster rather than expending any funds on modifying it.
 
Re: Stratocaster sustain question

I'd try going a gauge lighter than the strings you normally use, and also getting a professional setup to factory-recommended specs. Also, try turning your amp up.

Tried using 9s to skinny for me but they actually felt nice with the fender. Im using 10s now wich is what I prefer. I consider my setup proffesional :P
 
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