6 string electrics, nut extension and string tension.....

Larry Weaver · From: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

So please forgive the noobish line of questioning here guys.....

I have access to a number of el-cheapo but very interesting regular 6 string guitars(an Eastwood Stormbird, an Epiphone SG knockoff, and Danelectro Dano Pro, and some others similar) and I'm wondering if it's really a viable option to use a nut extender for playing them lap style. I don't play standard 6 string at all, so I'm not worried about the action. Mainly, I'd like to experiment with different tone and tunings. Some of the guitars are set neck and some are bolt on. With the ones that are bolt on, I'd consider having a buddy make some square necks or just put in a permanent extended nut and raised bridge.

Will these 6 strings survive extended use with raised action and tunings for lap use? I'm looking at mainly a standard open E and perhaps and E9 with the E on top, not a G#. I'm wondering how both the set neck guitars like an SG knockoff or a bolt on, like the Fenders would fare?

I've been reading back through the forum archives a bit and there seems to be quite a few people that have added a square neck to a Tele or a Strat. Not a lot of info about anyone using the standard neck for an extended period of time.

Thanks!
-LarryW

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I don't think there would be any problem using a nut extender with any one of those guitars. However, if you are worried at all about damaging your guitar, why not buy an equally inexpensive (or cheaper) lap steel that's already able to handle whatever string tensions you put on it?
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John Burton · From: Manassas, Va

I'm no expert, but here's my two cents.
I have a roundneck cheapo resonator that I put a nut riser on and tune mostly to open D (DADF#AD), sometimes open G (DADGBD), I've kept it that way for a few years and haven't had a problem yet. Open D puts less stress on things then E, but even open E shouldn't be a problem.
As for electrics, I've put nut risers on cheap strat knockoffs and occasionally on my telecaster, again, never an issue. The only thing that might happen is the nut riser could mar your fret board where it makes contact.
I think the trick is just use light/med strings. The lighter strings will have less tension.
Now, would I put a nut riser on my more expensive instruments? No.
But for cheap electrics, especially if I don't plan on playing them armpit style, then why not?
I think modern guitar necks (IMO) can take a lot more tension then people might think.

Stephen Seitz · From: Illinois, USA

I've added nut extensions to a couple of acoustics without any noticeable issues to date...reasonably inexpensive guitars with a variety of tunings and all is well!

Tom Pettingill · From: California, USA (deceased)

Longer scale guitars, like you are using, can use lighter gauge strings for a tuning than a typical steel, so your probably not going to have any issues.
John Ely has a great page on strings and gauges here http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

Mark Mansueto · From: Michigan, USA

I have one of those nut risers that fits over the stock nut and here are some cons IMO:

Less mass, or more importantly, less rigidity along with lighter gage strings = less sustain and less tone.

String to string distance at the nut is too narrow.

Overall size is bulky compared to most lap steels.

Not as comfortable when sitting in my lap but I do think a standard guitar with legs would look very cool. I have not seen that yet.
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Chris Walke · From: St Charles, IL

Larry Weaver · From: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Many thanks guys for all the great info!

I tried out an SG knockoff last night and I was really pleased with the results. Definitely a different sound and feel than my Ricks or Supro lap steels. I can certainly see both the advantages and dis-advantages.

So far it seems that for me the square neck won't be a necessity.

It was pretty easy to get some nice classic rock style slide/bottle neck type sounds in combination with the Axe-Fx. Imho, and for me, it's different enough from lap steels to be of serious interest. I think I'll be working one or two into my rig along with the lap steels.

Going to warrant more experimentation! Very Happy

Thanks again for all the great input!

-LarryW

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