cousinpaul
Friend of Leo's
@redhouse_ca
The nut looks bad as in sloppy work. Even so, it could be functioning properly.
The nut looks bad as in sloppy work. Even so, it could be functioning properly.
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String stiffness and problems bending
- Thread starter Vintagebuff
- Start date
SRHmusic
Friend of Leo's
I always have found that the strings feel looser if I properly fix any high frets (file, re-crown, polish), to get the relief as flat as possible*, and then lowering the action to taste. A decent set of 9 - 42 strings should feel pretty loose, I think.
One other thought: If this is on a guitar with a floating bridge (like a Strat), then when you bend you'll be fighting the bridge springs which are working against you - detuning the string as you bend. It's one of the reasons I have my bridge set up with really stiff springs that need a bar to move it.
*(But not perfectly flat, just noticable movement if I push on the G string above the 8th fret when holding it down at the 1st and 16th frets - so it hits the 1st and 15th frets.)
One other thought: If this is on a guitar with a floating bridge (like a Strat), then when you bend you'll be fighting the bridge springs which are working against you - detuning the string as you bend. It's one of the reasons I have my bridge set up with really stiff springs that need a bar to move it.
*(But not perfectly flat, just noticable movement if I push on the G string above the 8th fret when holding it down at the 1st and 16th frets - so it hits the 1st and 15th frets.)
Vintagebuff
TDPRI Member
I brought the telecaster in to my guitar tech today and he confirms that it is the original stock Fender nut based on the traces of the glue and by looking at it. It must have passed QA at Fender for some reason. Anyways, it will undergo a complete setup and the nut will be completly reworked. I will post some photos once I get it back in a week or so.
plusorminuszero
Tele-Meister
plusorminuszero
Tele-Meister
String compliance has several determining factors,
such as break angle (both at bridge and nut), stiffness
of wood, headstock flex, transference of string energy
between body and neck, and just
in my opinion, the way atoms in the wood are arranged.
I have several identical guitars and using same string
sets, each one has a different string
'stiffness'. Dense stiff necks are usually less string compliant,
all things being equal. The way the strings vibrate
seems to vary as well. I visualize that there's an interface
which is like gears meshing, except this meshing is far
subtler, impossible to change or see. Molecular vibration level...even
when the strings are not vibrating.
Just my experience.
such as break angle (both at bridge and nut), stiffness
of wood, headstock flex, transference of string energy
between body and neck, and just
in my opinion, the way atoms in the wood are arranged.
I have several identical guitars and using same string
sets, each one has a different string
'stiffness'. Dense stiff necks are usually less string compliant,
all things being equal. The way the strings vibrate
seems to vary as well. I visualize that there's an interface
which is like gears meshing, except this meshing is far
subtler, impossible to change or see. Molecular vibration level...even
when the strings are not vibrating.
Just my experience.
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I'm curious to hear what was done to the guitar, and how it plays after the tech has worked on it...
Vintagebuff
TDPRI Member
The frets were levelled, truss road ajusted, and strings changed using Ernie Ball 2223 Nickel Super Slinky (9-42). It still feels a little stiffer than my strats wihch have decked tremolos. Bare in mind that I am also a new Telecaster user.
I think I have figured out the problem. The fact of the matter is that I do a lot of bends up on the fretboard and have considerably raised the action to avoid fretting out, which may contribute to the fact that, the high E string especially, feels stiff, to me at least. As an fyi, this Tele has a 7.25" radius neck.
I also just acquired an American Vintage 64 Telecaster and have encountered the exact same problem.
I guess will have to get used to Telecasters being stiffer than my Stratocasters.
I think I have figured out the problem. The fact of the matter is that I do a lot of bends up on the fretboard and have considerably raised the action to avoid fretting out, which may contribute to the fact that, the high E string especially, feels stiff, to me at least. As an fyi, this Tele has a 7.25" radius neck.
I also just acquired an American Vintage 64 Telecaster and have encountered the exact same problem.
I guess will have to get used to Telecasters being stiffer than my Stratocasters.
Vintagebuff
TDPRI Member
I also realized that by moving the high E string up a notch or two further on the saddle (towards the B string) makes a huge difference as far as being able to bend the high E string much easier.
