Why more than one electric?

Slow mo bro · #1 02-11-2015, 10:21 AM

I know this is a forum for acoustics but we have quite a few crossovers. Do the electric crowd over here accumulate as many electrics as acoustics? If so why. I understand maybe a Strat, Les Paul, maybe a PRS....but don't they pretty much produce all the same sound? Does the sound more depend on the pedals you have?

NormH3 · #2 02-11-2015, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow mo bro

I know this is a forum for acoustics but we have quite a few crossovers. Do the electric crowd over here accumulate as many electrics as acoustics? If so why. I understand maybe a Strat, Les Paul, maybe a PRS....but don't they pretty much produce all the same sound? Does the sound more depend on the pedals you have?

There is an electric forum here.

Dru Edwards · #3 02-11-2015, 10:27 AM

Hi Slow Mo, as you mentioned, Strats and Les Pauls give very different tones. In addition, pickups can greater alter the tone of a guitar even within the same model. For example, a Les Paul with PAF pickups (i.e. '57 classics) can sound fantastic at low-medium gain but will not handle high gain as well as a Super Distortion pickup. That's one of the reasons to have two, or more, guitars of the same model ... different pickups.

Gypsyblue · #4 02-11-2015, 10:47 AM

To me, acoustic guitars sound more alike than electric guitars.

My Taylor 710B is a dreadnaught and my Taylor 512 is more of an OM but really, they sound more similar than my Stratocaster and my ES335 do.

I have four acoustic guitars and almost a dozen electric guitars if I include my lap steels.

And quite a few Fender and Gibson amps from the 50's and 60's. Each one has its own sound, as do the different speakers in each of them.

I just love guitars and guitar music...

...whether electric or acoustic.

MaurysMusic · #5 02-11-2015, 10:52 AM

Also, the scale length & neck joint produce differences in sustain, tone, harmonics and feel. A long scale strat with bolt on neck can never truly cop what a shorter scale LP with a set neck does... And vice/versa.

rrgguitarman · #6 02-11-2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

I just love guitars and guitar music... ...whether electric or acoustic.

Exactly. Me too.

#7 02-11-2015, 10:56 AM

I'm an accumulator. Can't seem to help it. I have 4 Telecasters.....

Bingoccc · #8 02-11-2015, 10:57 AM

I have a solid body electric (Strat) and a hollow body (Gretsch). I have an itch for more but I just don't play them enough. I think those two will hold me. Now I know I'll be getting more acoustics.

ljguitar · #9 02-11-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow mo bro

…but don't they pretty much produce all the same sound? Does the sound more depend on the pedals you have?

Hi Smb…

No, they don't produce the same sound - not even pretty much. And while pedals and/or processors do have an impact on the end-tone, they don't all sound alike either.

Then throw amps into the mix and it takes the discussion in a different direction all together. Tube, solid state, single speaker, quad speaker, 6 or 8 speaker cabinets, how much/little power all affect the sound, volume and tone.

I have both a Stratocaster and a Telecaster and the Strat has three pickups with a 5 way switch, where as my Tele has two pickups (both recently modified and upgraded)…one of which is a humbucker (neck) and the other a Lace Burgundy (in the bridge). My Strat weighs over 9 pounds, whereas the Tele is about 4 pounds, and the Strat sustains better as a result.

I do understand the confusion.

pitner · #10 02-11-2015, 11:09 AM

I have 4 Fenders, a Rickenbacker, a Surfcaster, a Saint Blues, a DiPinto, a Gretsch, and some more. What was the question? Oh yeah pickups, scale, wood, necks all make a difference. As an example many guitars have signature sounds like a Rickenbacker 12 string or a Fender Telecaster. Just got a new Fender Jaguar with a shorter scale than my Start or Tele, very different in feel and sound. Similar to acoustics by the way.

DanPanther · #11 02-11-2015, 11:29 AM

Electric guitars probably have a more varied sound overall, than do acoustics. One is not better than the other, just different.
Dan

broken thumb · #12 02-11-2015, 11:30 AM

I have one. I hardly ever play it, though I really enjoy it when I do.

Eric_M · #13 02-11-2015, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

In addition, pickups can greater alter the tone of a guitar even within the same model. ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaurysMusic

Also, the scale length & neck joint produce differences in sustain, tone, harmonics and feel. ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitner

... pickups, scale, wood, necks all make a difference. ...

Excellent points. I would also add that hardware can affect not only tonality but technique. Floating trems/double-locking trems, for instance.

psychojohn · #14 02-11-2015, 12:08 PM

Why more than one acoustic ? The same reasons.

John

ljguitar · #15 02-11-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric_M

Excellent points. I would also add that hardware can affect not only tonality but technique. Floating trems/double-locking trems, for instance.

Hi Eric…
I recently blocked my bridge on my Strat (for more stability).

And it has a roller nut (ball-bearing) which helps bent strings return to the original position resulting in better intonation.