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Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
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Author:  cactus [ Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
Hi all.
About a year ago I purchased an aluminum neck thru guitar. 1-piece, solid aluminum neck. The fixed bridge, tuners, pickups, everything mounts to the aluminum core. When I play it for a while, then go back to my Les Paul, I swear when I pluck a string it feels as though the LP "gives in" slightly. As though that bit of string tension pulls a subtle arc into the guitar. It doesn't seem possible for a pluck to generate enough deflection to notice, but I've been watching too much Science channel lately to underestimate the nervous system. I've felt something similar going from fixed bridge to a Floyd, but it wasn't until I experienced an extremely rigid guitar that noticed this particular sensation.

Is this a common thing? I'm still on my meds and everything.
Author:  Mike Dotson [ Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
Same thing happens when I've been driving my Cobra replica and then switch back to the wife's minivan. Everything just feels 'squishier'.

bliss
Author:  B. Howard [ Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
I love and play my aluminum neck Kramer and I have never noticed anything like that when I've switched to any other wooden neck guitar.
Author:  dzsmith [ Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
cactus wrote:
Hi all.
About a year ago I purchased an aluminum neck thru guitar. 1-piece, solid aluminum neck. The fixed bridge, tuners, pickups, everything mounts to the aluminum core. When I play it for a while, then go back to my Les Paul, I swear when I pluck a string it feels as though the LP "gives in" slightly. As though that bit of string tension pulls a subtle arc into the guitar. It doesn't seem possible for a pluck to generate enough deflection to notice, but I've been watching too much Science channel lately to underestimate the nervous system. I've felt something similar going from fixed bridge to a Floyd, but it wasn't until I experienced an extremely rigid guitar that noticed this particular sensation.

Is this a common thing? I'm still on my meds and everything.


I never noticed that on my LP, but I play with a gentle light touch. I've never played a rigid aluminum neck. On a sad note, my beloved 1969 LP custom I played for 20 years was sold for $500, my Fender tube amp went for $20. I think my ex used the money for shoes.
Author:  dzsmith [ Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
Mike Dotson wrote:
Same thing happens when I've been driving my Cobra replica and then switch back to the wife's minivan. Everything just feels 'squishier'.

bliss

Thanks for making me laugh!
Author:  DennisK [ Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Guitar sag? (don't know what to call it)
It's certainly possible. It's quite a noticeable effect in acoustics, where the top can range from very stiff to being rather plush feeling if you press on it with your thumb. Fortunately they tend to sound better the plush end, which means that the best sounding guitars are also the best playing guitars :) The strings feel much softer to press down, as the top pulls up microscopically with the increased tension.

Not sure how noticeable it would be in solid body electrics, but fingers can be quite sensitive.

But just to be sure... it's not just a difference in scale length or string gauge, is it?
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