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Topic: Hollow and Floating Neck |
Ron !
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Posted 21 Dec 2004 2:28 pm |
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Under the Promat topic there was a little discussion about floating necks on the P/P's Emmons made and that they were screwed on the body by using only 4 or 6 screws.And that that also affected the sound of the steel.
I used Two of those necks that I had laying here and screwed them on one of my prototype's.There was quite some difference in sound and sustain.
My question to some of the builders here on the forum is the following:
Could this be done with a wooden neck?
Make a hollow neck and mount it on your steel.
I am willing to give this a try but if some of the builders say that it can't be done or it would not be wise then please tell me.
I was thinking about a hollow neck because you can add some sustain or take away some sustain by stuffing the neck with cotton for example..
Let me know what you guys think about it.
Ron
Nikaro
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jim milewski
From:
stowe, vermont
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Posted 21 Dec 2004 2:36 pm
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| the hollow neck seems to me to be a resonating cavity which would add something nice to the overall tone, a hollow wood neck sounds like a great idea, I was surprised to learn that floating necks be minimally tighted figuring a firmer attaching would minimalize cabinet flex |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Dec 2004 3:20 am
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| (Posting deleted) [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 22 December 2004 at 08:24 AM.] |
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John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Ron !
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Posted 22 Dec 2004 6:23 am
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John
Thanks for your reply on this post.
At least one of the builders chimed in.haha
Always respect your answers John.
But what do you think.Would it make any difference in the sound or are you saying that it will not have any effect at all?
Donny.
It's not only the sustain I am after.
I would like to have a different sound as well.
Maybe a wooden neck give's me that little more body that I am looking for in a Steel Guitar.
Ron
Nikaro SD10 4x6 |
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John Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Dec 2004 6:57 am
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If you keep surface contact to a minimum, you should end up with about the same response as a metal neck or NO neck at all. Assuming you use a metal pickup pocket/housing.
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John Fabian
Carter Steel Guitars
www.steelguitar.com
www.steelguitarinfo.com
www.carterstarter.com [This message was edited by John Fabian on 22 December 2004 at 06:58 AM.] |
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Bobby Bowman
From:
Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Dec 2004 12:29 pm
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I think the original reasoning behind hollowing out the neck was to reduce weight. However, in the process it was discovered that some "acoustic value" could be benefitted from this.
I and a lot of other builders/ designers have done a good bit of exploration in this particular area. As with most other aspects of pedal steel guitar design, it has ended up with a few of different and warranted opinions.
I personally like the hollow neck with a certain ribbed design machined into the cavity to enhance the tonal and sustain characteristics of a guitar.
A simple "ping" test of the resonance of the neck hanging alone will usually tell your ears a good bit about the individual personality of that neck,,,be it wood or metal.
From that point, the "secret" is to match up all the other factors, pieces, materials, screws and whatever into a combination that is pleasing to ones' ears.
This same principle, although and perhaps with different techniques, holds true throughout the entire guitar and its composit materials of wood, metals, plastics or whatever, along with assymbly procedures, will ultimately determine the individual properties, personality and outcome of a guitar. In the end, the mere fitting of pieces together and tightening or lack there of, of fasteners plays a huge role in the end result.
I've really just "scratched the surface" in all that is involved here. Perhaps some others will chime in and make the picture more complete.
BB
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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
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Ron !
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Posted 23 Dec 2004 2:08 pm
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Bobby.
You do have a point there about hollowing out the neck.But what I cannot understand is the ribbed design.Just for the tone and sustain or for more stability.What I am trying to say is....try to hollow out the entire neck.Not just a few ribbs.
All my prototypes were made of plywood.
Right now I just picked up a nice piece of hard rock maple for the body and the neck.
I will give this one a try.
I can only gain on this.What have I got to lose besides the maple.
Ron
Nikaro SD10 4x6
European steel guitar forum |
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Ron !
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Posted 24 Dec 2004 12:57 pm
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If I understand correct.There has not been anyone that made a steel guitar like this and sold it?
Ok.Then I will give it a try and build me one of those.
Ron
Nikaro SD10 4x6
European steel guitar forum |
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