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Topic: What factors determine bar pressure and sustain? |
Al Evans
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2018 4:57 am |
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I know this is an open-ended question, but what are the factors that determine how much bar pressure is required for a clean note? What determines how long the note sustains?
Do these factors vary from one guitar to another, assuming similar construction?
Do they change because of wear, vibration, or other effects of use?
Trying to fill the yawning chasm of ignorance....
--Al Evans
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2018 MSA Legend, 2018 ZumSteel Encore, 2015 Mullen G2, G&L S-500, G&L ASAT, G&L LB-100, Godin A4 Fretless, Kinscherff High Noon |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 26 Sep 2018 6:38 am
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Bar pressure needs to be enough to prevent rattles and give a good, solid tone; but not so much as to deform the strings significantly, as this would lead to detuning. The amount of bar pressure required may vary due to the following factors: scale length, string gauges, weight of the bar, size (radius) and length of the bar, the bar material, the number of strings being covered, the string "evenness" (rollers gauged or not), and where you are playing on the neck (more pressure is normally required near the nut). Lastly, I can't think of an instance where normal wear or vibration would affect the required bar pressure.
I'll let someone else cover the many things involved with "sustain". |
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Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
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Posted 26 Sep 2018 7:51 am
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Gerry Hogan told me once that a heavy guitar normally has a good sustain. That's definitely right regarding my Sierra, it has lots of it.
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Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
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Kevin Fix
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 29 Sep 2018 4:33 pm
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| My ears and tone. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 30 Sep 2018 8:43 am
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That's what I would say - you'll know it when you feel it 
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2018 9:50 am
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| Joachim Kettner wrote: |
| Gerry Hogan told me once that a heavy guitar normally has a good sustain. That's definitely right regarding my Sierra, it has lots of it. |
That's not a hard and fast rule, though. My new Sierra by Ross Shafer is the lightest I've ever owned, and it also has the best sustain. The ultra light Carp/ETS guitars also had great sustain. I once owned a very heavy Sho-Bud crossover that didn't sustain well at all.
I think that sustain is determined by a variety of factors, including design, materials and construction. Of course, the bar you choose also makes a difference, as does your technique. But if the guitar isn't well designed, you're pretty much stuck with electronic remedies.
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