Does string ferrule metal type affect tone?

[SixShooter]

I just discovered that two sets of string ferrules that I have are not magnetic and therefore not steel as I had assumed. I guess they must be brass, or aluminum or pot metal. Are most string ferrules not steel? Does it matter? Trying not to be a cork sniffer here, but I we do know that saddle material affects tone so maybe ferrule material does too.

[Nick JD]

If you feed them to a civet cat and collect its poop, give them a quick wipe with a non-magnetic toilet tissue, you will fix any tone issues associated with typical ferrule tonal apoplexy.

As you can see, I'm attracted to the absurd just like a magnet.

[hemingway]

My wife actually bought me some of that civet coffee for xmas. Seriously pricey, it worked out about £5 a cup (about $8). It was damn good coffee, best I ever had, smooth as a baby's bum. But £5 a cup in my own kitchen? I ain't that rich.

[middy]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say "no."

[Wileyone]

Originally Posted by hemingway

My wife actually bought me some of that civet coffee for xmas. Seriously pricey, it worked out about £5 a cup (about $8). It was damn good coffee, best I ever had, smooth as a baby's bum. But £5 a cup in my own kitchen? I ain't that rich.

About the same price as a double double at Starbucks.

[thesjkexperienc]

I suspect it is like bridge pins with acoustic guitars. On certain guitars the difference is obvious and on others not at all. If the guitar is an old friend you may notice it more.

[huckdeuceman]

Since the last contact area is the bridge! I would have to say no..

[hemingway]

But if they sold it in 'bucks it would be £25 a cup. And it would be burnt.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by huckdeuceman

Since the last contact area is the bridge! I would have to say no..

The G + L ASAT Classics have this enormous ferrule block instead of tiny ferrules. Basically the size of a Strat trem block. When I went from the stock Delrin to Brass to Aluminum on my ASAT Classics, the difference in sound (even amplified) was quite readily audible.



But the tiny ferrules weigh, what, 5% of what the blocks weigh, if that? At some point you're not going to be able to tell. Maybe if you used plastic ferrules or none at all, then the difference would reappear.

[klasaine]

Glendale seems to think so, they know a little bit about Tele hardware ...
http://www.glendaleguitars.com/String%20Ferrules.htm

From their website: "I have designed new string ferrules for Tele style guitars. The ball-end of the guitar string fits nice and snug and almost flush with the end of the ferrule. This makes for much better string contact with the body allowing more vibration through the guitar, adding sustain, brilliance and improving overall tone. You can choose from titanium, brass, cold rolled steel, and aluminum sets or you can mix and match to achieve your own personal sound. For example; aluminum for the low E/A strings, cold rolled steel for the D/G strings, and brass for the high B/E strings. The brass removes harsh overtones from the high strings and adds harmonic richness. The titanium is very well balanced and is a little brighter than brass, it also removes harsh overtones from the high strings and adds harmonic richness. Titanium works very good on all six strings. The aluminum tightens up the low end giving more punch and a touch more volume. The "Retro-Rockets" are direct replacements for vintage-style and American Standard Tele's fitting in a 5/16" hole with a 3/8" countersink."

Maybe, maybe not - ?

[Ricky D.]

Originally Posted by SixShooter

I just discovered that two sets of string ferrules that I have are not magnetic and therefore not steel as I had assumed. I guess they must be brass, or aluminum or pot metal. Are most string ferrules not steel? Does it matter? Trying not to be a cork sniffer here, but I we do know that saddle material affects tone so maybe ferrule material does too.

Fender nickel plated steel ferrules are $10.99 at GC. Try a set and tell us what you think. Depending on your rig, your ears, and where you play, you might hear a difference. My guess is you might hear something at home at practice volume, but the difference would be swamped in a gig environment.

[Bubbalou]

Not that it matters but Some forms of Stainless Steel is non magnetic and of coarse Nickel, copper and aluminum (as you already know)

[thesjkexperienc]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

The G + L ASAT Classics have this enormous ferrule block instead of tiny ferrules. Basically the size of a Strat trem block. When I went from the stock Delrin to Brass to Aluminum on my ASAT Classics, the difference in sound (even amplified) was quite readily audible.



But the tiny ferrules weigh, what, 5% of what the blocks weigh, if that? At some point you're not going to be able to tell. Maybe if you used plastic ferrules or none at all, then the difference would reappear.

Boris, when you say block do you mean it is actually the same size as a Strat or is it just what is visible? That is an interesting way to try and get more sustain.

[milocj]

Boris, when you say block do you mean it is actually the same size as a Strat or is it just what is visible? That is an interesting way to try and get more sustain.

If I recall correctly, the ASAT block is about 1/2"-5/8" deep and it fits snugly into a route in the back of the body. It's been awhile since I had the block out of mine. It basically uses the tension of all the strings together to increase the coupling of them to the anchor point in the body.

[JBennett]