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Topic: Aluminum Body/Neck Question.. |
Chris Dorch
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 6:26 am |
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Living in WI, there are sometimes dramatic temperature shifts ( +/- 20 to 50 degree (inside to outside) changes). Knowing that aluminum is more responsive (expanding and contracting) to changes in temperature, how do aluminum bodied steels or aluminum necked steel fare with drastic temperature swings? Anyone have any experience?
I know that all instruments (save maybe brass) are affected by temperature swings, which is why I try to let mine stabilize up before I play. I would assume that aluminum would be no different.
Thoughts?
Thanks.. |
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Dick Sexton
From:
Greenville, Ohio
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 7:31 am Temp Swings...
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| I suspect, some steels react to temp differently then others. If at all possible, I go in early and set up. By the time everything else is brought in and set up, my steel is usually stabilized to the room and ready to check. Final tuning 10 to 20 minutes before the gig. Going in early is not always possible, a warm car or van can help if you don't have to haul to far. |
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Jason Hull
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 7:39 am
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| The modulus of elasticity for aluminum is in the same range as most instrument woods. This means that, while aluminum is a better conductor, it will have no more overall dimensional change under the same conditions. With wood, though, you have the added effect of moisture, which will cause it to change dimensionally more than aluminum. In either case the change due to temperature is negligible, and can be resolved by allowing adequate setup time. The change in wood, due to moisture, is a much slower process, and can't be resolved during a setup period. Therefore, generally speaking, an aluminum-bodied instrument will require less time to stabilize. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 8:31 am
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When touring in the northern climes during winter, we used to carry hair dryers around to speed up the acclimation process. Here in Texas, the problem is less severe, though it does happen.
Like, at this very moment, it's freakin' SNOWING in Austin TX. 
Usually it's going from a hot car in summertime into a nightclub that has an air conditioner suitable for a meat locker.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 9:29 am
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I think a lot to do with the subject of expansion and contraction is how the changer is mounted on the guitar.
On most guitars with aluminum necks, the changer is mounted to the body of the guitar and not to the neck.
I believe when Emmons was buiding the push/pull with the bolt on changer, the biggest complaint was the de-tuning associated with that particular model. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 10:04 am
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Chris,Howz the weather down south?I play an aluminum neck Desert Rose guitar and it's seen every temperature change you can throw at it without any problems,I always try to let the guitar get to room temperature before I play it.This guitar stays in tune better than most of the wood neck guitars that I've owned.Herb...Snowing down in Tejas?? my,my,my 
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Chris Dorch
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 10:14 am
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| Stu Schulman wrote: |
| Chris,Howz the weather down south?I play an aluminum neck Desert Rose guitar and it's seen every temperature change you can throw at it without any problems,I always try to let the guitar get to room temperature before I play it.This guitar stays in tune better than most of the wood neck guitars that I've owned.Herb...Snowing down in Tejas?? my,my,my ;-) |
At the moment it's low thirties and snowing off and on...
But.. the swings I speak would be less severe then yours.. As an example.. I'll take my steel from my basement to my car. 55 to 30 (-25). It will take a while for my car to warm up to which the temperature of the steel would probably not change much unless I were to drive a long duration. Get to the venue which could be 70 or 75 degrees, that a +20 shift where it would get aclimetized. Or, trailering gear (with no heat) in subzero weather (which we get often) for several hours to arrive at a venue where it's 70 or 75 degrees you'd get a big shift in temperature.
I am just trying to figure out how much of an issue this could cause routinely.
Thanks for the experience to you and everyone! |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 10:18 am
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| I had/have a Dekley that I made solid aluminum necks for, to go with the aluminum body and pakka-wood top. Every time I got a session, they would put me under the air conditioning vent. The radical temperature changes would twist that thing into a pretzel and I'm the reason most producers think steel players can't play in tune. |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 10:37 am
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 Thanks for carrying that universal burden, Chas.
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Olli Haavisto
Finland
Last edited by Olli Haavisto on 23 Feb 2010 10:54 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 10:38 am
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Chas, if you'd left well enough alone and kept the Pakkawood neck, you wouldn't have that problem.   |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 10:52 am
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Stu, for your edification:
364 days a year...
Feb 23, 2010
I know this is "old hat" to you Yankees, but for Austin Texas this is most unusual, believe me. This was NOT done in Photoshop! Central Texas in February is NOT SUPPOSED to look like this!
My nephew is kind of a nature freak, and decided to go snorkeling today. His wife sent this photo over...
I kinda like it, though.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 12:42 pm
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Herb yer killin me! Chris if the guitar has been riding in a non heated trailer at freezing temperatures I wouldn't even open the case for at least a half hour,Until it stops sweating.
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2010 1:26 pm
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| Jim, you know me better than that. cheers |
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