#31
|
|||
|
|||
Lowering the action doesn't lessen the string tension at all. It will make the effort required to push the strings down to the frets less, but the tension in the strings is the same. Lowering the action (at both nut and saddle ends) can make the guitar sound more in tune.
In my experience of guitars most of them can benefit from a deeper cut nut, even quite expensive guitars.
__________________
Yamaha AC3M Acoustic Guitar Gretch G5220 Electromatic Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Special Yamaha BB414 Bass |
#32
|
|||
|
|||
With a guitar that is poorly setup it can be tough (especially for a beginner) to get it to sound good. From out of tune sharpness from high nut action to bussing from high frets. Also can be tough for a beginner that hasn't built hand strength up to even fret some chords when the nut action is too high, which would also make it sound horrible when trying to play. So a good setup can affect in a positive way what your guitar can sound like.
__________________
Yairi Virtuoso Maple Martin D18 kit build Alvarez PD-85SC AV Bedell TB-28G Guild GAD M20 NA Michael Kelly V65 SP Tacoma PM20 Alvarez AP70 |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, a cheap guitar can sound good. But how cheap? For example, Breedlove in Bend, Oregon has sale every year. They put on sale their demos, some one offs and other new guitars that they have hanging around. Last year I picked up a short scale 000, Spruce face, Rosewood back and sides, all wood with the LR Baggs Element installed. Beautiful guitar to look at. Even more beautiful to play and listen to. I played it there that day and immediately knew I had found a real gem. After one year of playing out professionally regularly I use it as my back up on many gigs. It has amazing tone, sounds clear and bright but with a big bottom due to the Rosewood. Oh, and I came with a hard shell case, a nice one. It is a better guitar than others I own that are well known for being great guitars. It cost me $650.00 at the sale!! I suggest you might look behind the scenes with the manufacturers and ask if they have similar sales or come to Bend and check out the Breedlove sale. Its well worth the trip. I also picked up an all Maple for $250....its all wood, no laminate.
|
#34
|
|||
|
|||
How good can a cheap guitar sound?
Assuming it's well-built? It can sound as good as it's played...
__________________
Ray For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 2006 Art & Lutherie Ami Parlor: Solid Cedar Top/Wild Cherry Lam B&S/Black Satin Lacquer 2006 Art & Lutherie Dreadnought: Solid Cedar Top/Wild Cherry Lam B&S/Natural Satin Lacquer You can't change the tide with an oar. ---Nick Bracco (Gary Ponzo) |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Oh, I don't know though, isn't there at least some correlation between fretting effort and string tension? I'll answer my own question, if the intonation goes off when you fret the guitar, it's because the string pitch increases. If the string pitch increases, the tension increases as well. (This is because you're effectively bending the string, but only on the vertical axis). So now, you have a semantic issue. If the action is as low as one might hope for, is the string tension normal, optimum, or simply meeting specification? Manufacturers aren't stupid. They know if you cut the nut slots too deep, the do-over is both expensive and time consuming. So, the consumer benefits from this, in that he or she, can bellyache about how tough the 1st fret F barre chord is.... |
#36
|
|||
|
|||
Yes I agree Captaincranky - the string tension increases when the note is fretted and if the action is high that tension can be enough to make the note go sharp. The chords on a guitar sound more piano-like up and down the neck when the action is optimised at the saddle and nut.
__________________
Yamaha AC3M Acoustic Guitar Gretch G5220 Electromatic Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster Squier Vintage Modified Telecaster Special Yamaha BB414 Bass |
#37
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#38
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
So it just goes to show you....you don't have to always go with the Martin & Taylors for a nice guitar. I've never had an Ibanez but I love this one!
__________________
“Sometimes when I play the guitar, I feel like I am dancing with God. And although I step on her toes from time to time, she is content to let me lead.” Taylor GS8e (2007) Taylor 310 (2000) Taylor 214ce (2007) Fender Stratocaster American Standard (1990) Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster (2011) Ibanez AEG 10NII (nylon) 2015 |