Any tone difference between hardtail and vintage trem

[SCman]

Hi all,

Was wondering if there is a tone difference between two axis models - one with a vintage trem and the other with hardtail. I'd love to hear comments from someone who has both!

Thanks!

 

[Jonmo1]

Well I only have Trems, but logic dictates me to answer...

I belive this applies to all guitars in general, be they Ernie Balls Fenders Gibsons whatever...

You loose a little resonance when you use a tremolo.
A hard tail is solidly mounted to the body of the guitar, therefor the vibrations of the strings resonate more throughought the body.
A tremolo is not solidly mounting to the body, it has pivot points and springs. Therefor some of the vibrations from the strings are absorbed by the springs on the tremolo.

Also, you have to remove more wood from the body to install a tremolo, this makes the body have less mass = less resonance.

So yes, take 2 absolutely identicle guitars, put a hardtail on one, and tremolo on the other, and they will sound slightly different. The hardtail will probably be warmer and have more sustain.

Though, I can't actually confirm this because I have never owned a hardtail.

 

[GHWelles]

On the other hand:

A tremelo has a massive brass sustain block, and the springs create a natural reverb. So you may like the trem tone better. Also, if you have a vintage trem resting flush on the body instead of floating, you narrow the differences down quite a bit.

 

[ShaneV]

On the other hand:

A tremelo has a massive brass sustain block, and the springs create a natural reverb. So you may like the trem tone better. Also, if you have a vintage trem resting flush on the body instead of floating, you narrow the differences down quite a bit.

That's what I was going to say. I prefer the sound of a trem guitar for those reasons.

 

[Slingy]

Hardtail is better if you want to change tunings alot.

 

[luv]

i had an ASS trem and then an ASS hardtail. i didn't have them side by side to a/b, but the trem ASS was definately a little brighter sounding. the hardtail was a little more woody and darker sounding. obviously every guitar is going to have it's own personality, but these were the main differences i noticed about my two ASS's sound characteristics.

i couldn't really say that the hardtail had a lot more sustain than the trem (i did have the trem on lockdown with 5 springs)...just a different sound.

 

[bkrumme]

On the other hand:

A tremelo has a massive brass sustain block, and the springs create a natural reverb. So you may like the trem tone better. Also, if you have a vintage trem resting flush on the body instead of floating, you narrow the differences down quite a bit.

I concur with this.

Hardtail is better if you want to change tunings alot.

Just get another guitar

 

[Sweat]

I think the trems sound brighter, nice to have a trem guitar but in th big picture I just prefer hardtails, one of my many lessons learned on my journey

But every player is different in what they like and what they hear

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Hardtails are always better! Join my campaign to abolish the wobbler!

 

[spkirby]

I concur with Fing, I've been through a stack of guitars and as I get older my collection is slowly going from trem to hardtail....the hardtails simply feel better to me and there is a resonance / tone to them that I prefer over the trem'd models.

It is nice to have a few trems in the stable for those hendrixy moments though....

 

[Jonmo1]

On the other hand:

A tremelo has a massive brass sustain block, and the springs create a natural reverb. So you may like the trem tone better. Also, if you have a vintage trem resting flush on the body instead of floating, you narrow the differences down quite a bit.

That's an interesting point, thanks for pointing it out.

I recently setup the vintage tremolo on my ASS to float. I'm not sure why, since I never pull up on it. I guess just to see if it could be done and stay in tune. Which it does by the way.

But just mentioning that, I think I'll be putting it back the way it was..

 

[GHWelles]

That's an interesting point, thanks for pointing it out.

I recently setup the vintage tremolo on my ASS to float. I'm not sure why, since I never pull up on it. I guess just to see if it could be done and stay in tune. Which it does by the way.

But just mentioning that, I think I'll be putting it back the way it was..

My JP6 floats . . .

My 20th Silo I have flush..

 

[robelinda2]

I have had many examples of both, the hardtail is a bigger tone, the trem is a little less punchy, but nothing you couldnt fix with changing the EQ on the amp etc.

 

[SCman]

Thanks for the informative replies!! I was looking for a backup guitar for my axis ss and a used hardtail became available. I was worried that I would lose out on the 'stratty" sounds if I had to use the hardtail.

I also called CS and they put me through to Scott Ball who was very helpful when I posed the question to him!

 

[grumpyoldman]

One of my Axis Sports is hardtail, the other has the vintage trem, and both are able to attain that "stratty" sound. If anything, I find a bit more sustain from the hardtail (a bit, just a bit), and a bit more resonance from the trem springs and cavity on the one with the vintage trem. Both are extremely flexible for tones, and are absolutely excellent guitars.

 

[Beach Radio]

I have a hard tail ASS and an Axis. I would simply say the ASS has a warmer tone with more sustain and the Axis has a brighter tone that has reverberations in it. I like the Axis tone a lot more - and I can't use the trem (at least not well). I think it is all personal what you will like better.