Stupid guitar related questions you have been afraid to ask

[candid_x]

Are the single coil equipped EBMMs (Sil Special, AL) affected by stratitis (string pull from the slug magnet pole pieces)?

I didn't notice any obvious signs of it when I tried a Silo Special a few weeks ago.

I don't know the technical answer to this, but it has to do with the type of alnico of the magnets. Again, not sure, but I think the Stock Silo Specials use alnico 5, which isn't as affected by having them close to the strings. You can get them pretty close without sacrificing sustain.

 

[candid_x]

What difference does fret size make? Medium, jumbo, etc.

Jumbos suck, tall mediums are perfect.

just kidding

I personally think the number one difference comes down to feel. So it's what feels right to you. It can also affect tone, and inspire different techniques, i.e. tapping, bending, picking with teeth.

 

[ba2m]

Hi guys,
please help me with my -not too important- (stupid) question :

- why does the single coil bridge pick up on S S S configuration have a different position compare with the neck and the mid pick up.. (at an angle)?
- what does the copper plate do under the duncan bridge pick up of ebmm Albert lee?(as far as i know the copper plate is only for the bridge pick up of AL)
- why wasn't vinnie moore interested to make his signature ebmm guitar when he was still using ebmm?
- why don't ebmm distributors sell original guitar spare parts?(like fender/gibson distributor)
- how come ebmm luke guitar with piezo only need one battery for it's piezo and EMG power.. are they sharing the battery power? if so, will the battery be finished sooner than the battery in luke without piezo?

thanks,
abraham

 

[candid_x]

- why does the single coil bridge pick up on S S S configuration have a different position compare with the neck and the mid pick up.. (at an angle)?

The SSS has a standard angle (i.e. Strat), which if used with a HB wouldn't misalign the poles with the strings. The SSS bridge position adds more bite to the lighter strings.

- what does the copper plate do under the duncan bridge pick up of ebmm Albert lee?(as far as i know the copper plate is only for the bridge pick up of AL)

It gives extra bass response.

 

[robelinda2]

- what does the copper plate do under the duncan bridge pick up of ebmm Albert lee?(as far as i know the copper plate is only for the bridge pick up of AL)

it hepls control the earth's rotation, otherwise people will like... just drop and die.


ps- copper plate is on the Silo special SSS too.

 

[mbgreene]

Okay here's one.

If the compensated nut is designed based on relative pitch in standard tuning, is it of any consequence in alternate tunings when relative pitches on the open strings are different?

 

[EyeSoul]

How can I convince my wife that getting another Ball is a good idea?

Just do what I just did. I got my first EBMM EVH a few days ago... told her about it AFTER I received it in shipping.....and prayed I wouldn't come home to find it in the fireplace!

So far so good!

 

[candid_x]

Okay here's one.

If the compensated nut is designed based on relative pitch in standard tuning, is it of any consequence in alternate tunings when relative pitches on the open strings are different?

Good question!

Is it designed for standard tuning, really? Or is it set for correct chromatic tuning? in which case, various tunings wouldn't be affected.

 

[candid_x]

it hepls control the earth's rotation, otherwise people will like... just drop and die.

That's true. If everyone suddenly switched to bass-plates on their single coil bridge pickup, earth's axis would shift and we'd all die.

 

[Eilif]

This thought just came to me out of the blue while I was at my daughter's soccer practice this afternoon.

Do you have a trem? I'm speculating that perhaps the Absolut shape for the tone block applies only to instruments with the standard bridge as opposed to those with a tremelo. With a chunk of the body routed out to accommodate a trem system--including space for the springs--there may not be enough room for the "standard" Absolut tone block on a trem-equipped body, and it would make sense that the only space for the tone block would be between the bridge and the "ass" end of the body. This theory might explain why the shape you saw on the x-ray was semi-circular instead of a bottle.

Got pics???

reason I asked is because when I put the 20th through the X-Ray at Narita Airport on my way home, I saw a reddish chunk of wood which could only be the tone block. But it wasn't bottleshaped. It was more like a semi-circle, and it was the ass-end of the body. The maple and the alder was also visible, but they had a lighter colour through the screen. The huge chunk looks like nothing else other than a toneblock, but it wasn't connected to the neck either...

 

[whitestrat]

This thought just came to me out of the blue while I was at my daughter's soccer practice this afternoon.

Do you have a trem? I'm speculating that perhaps the Absolut shape for the tone block applies only to instruments with the standard bridge as opposed to those with a tremelo. With a chunk of the body routed out to accommodate a trem system--including space for the springs--there may not be enough room for the "standard" Absolut tone block on a trem-equipped body, and it would make sense that the only space for the tone block would be between the bridge and the "ass" end of the body. This theory might explain why the shape you saw on the x-ray was semi-circular instead of a bottle.

That's possible... Never thought of it that way... Heheh... Yes, I have a trem.

 

[whitestrat]

Okay here's one.

If the compensated nut is designed based on relative pitch in standard tuning, is it of any consequence in alternate tunings when relative pitches on the open strings are different?

GREAT QUESTION!!!!







I don't know the answer...

 

[beej]

Is it designed for standard tuning, really? Or is it set for correct chromatic tuning? in which case, various tunings wouldn't be affected.

The compensated nut is designed for standard guitar tuning. Different tunings require different offsets, and thus a different nut for ideal operation.

(For the curious, you can read more info about this on the US Patent site. Search for Dudley Gimpel or Ernie Ball.)

 

[DrKev]

The compensated nut is designed for standard guitar tuning. Different tunings require different offsets, and thus a different nut for ideal operation.

I'd like to add to that - it will still be of benefit to other tunings compared to a non-compensated nut. Of course many people are perfectly happy with a non-compensated nut so I would not be too worried about any small differences.

Here is a link to the patent.

 

[candid_x]

Thank you, sirs.

 

[Ripper]

Super dumb question here (may have already been answered anyway):

Flame maple & quilt maple - which one gives you more toneful sound?

 

[mbgreene]

Flame maple & quilt maple - which one gives you more toneful sound?

Depends what style your trying to cover and the tones you are going for.

Quilts come across as warm but smoother while Flames sound somewhat hotter

 

[travs]

Do Limited Editions and BFR get better looking necks(birdseye fig etc) than the stuff that MF or GC stocks?

 

[RocketRalf]

1)Does the Rosewood Axis guitar sound appreciably different than the regular one or is it just looks?

2)If there are figured maple tops on MMs, why aren't there figured maple backs/bottoms? (serious question, violins often have gorgeous figuring on the back)

 

[whitestrat]

Super dumb question here (may have already been answered anyway):

Flame maple & quilt maple - which one gives you more toneful sound?

That's like asking which is heavier... 1kg of feathers? or 1kg of lead.