dirk
MM Forum Member
Posts: 16
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Post by dirk on Jun 21, 2011 14:55:43 GMT
Hello, I have got a question about the shape of the tailpiece. Yesterday I understring my guitar. I think the strings have bent the tailpiece a little bit. When I changed the strings how it was before (over the tailpiece) I was doubtful about the original shape of my tailpiece. The right and the left side of the tailpiece do not touch the coverplate because it is plane. You see it on rthe picture. Is it possible that the could be change the sound of the guitar? It is difficult to compare it with the sound before.The cone is ok. Thank you. Dirk Attachments:
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Post by slidenpickit on Jun 21, 2011 23:33:16 GMT
Hi Dirk,
Can you tell us why you under strung the guitar in the first place, and, if the tailpiece touched the cover plate before you under strung it.
Also, what is the make and model of the guitar?
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dirk
MM Forum Member
Posts: 16
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Post by dirk on Jun 22, 2011 1:02:25 GMT
Hi Chris,
it's a Republic Duolian Style # 804 with a National cone. I under strung it because I read that it advance the sustain of the guitar. The tailpiece touches the cover plate. Only a small part at the right and left side of the tailpiece does not touch the cover plate. I don't know how it was before I under strung it.
Dirk
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2011 6:27:54 GMT
The shape of the tailpiece is quite normal, and it's quite hard to bend them. Does the guitar sound different? Or do you only think that it might sound different?! If you can't tell, stop worrying and play it!
If it does really sound different, taking off the strings and restringing could have unsettled the cone and biscuit. Did you take all the strings off, or did you change them one at a time. Did you put the old strings back on or use new ones?
Guitars are usually 'understrung' only when there's a problem with not enough break angle over the bridge, and in the worst cases to try and prevent the strings from skipping out of the notches in the saddle. It's not generally regarded as good practice, and only to be used if there is a serious problem with he break angle - I don't think anyone who really knows about resonators would recommend doing this to try and improve sustain or tone.
John
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2011 9:00:22 GMT
Under-stringing is one of the worst things you can do to a single cone resonator guitar. It can bend the tailpiece, which on your guitar looks perfectly OK. Also, it can push the bridge saddle forward and cause the cone to collapse. This doesn't happen immediately, it happens over a period of time.
John is correct; the only time that under-stringing is done is by inexperienced people, or by dealers who want a quick fix when there is not enough break angle to put pressure on the cone. It is a terrible thing to do to a resonator guitar.
Looking at your photo, it is hard to tell, but I think you may have a break angle problem. Can we see a photo of the break angle?
Shine On
Michael.
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dirk
MM Forum Member
Posts: 16
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Post by dirk on Jun 22, 2011 10:18:31 GMT
Hello, thank you for all your comments. I hope this picture will be better. Another problem is that there is no right angle between the saddel and the biscuit. I can not change the saddle because it's fixed with glue. Frank from Republic said that's irrelevant. This problem was before I under strung the strings. When I will change the biscuit I don't know how I can file the slots in the saddle. I don't have the tools I need for this. The pressure of the strings are not so heavy because the guitar is tuned in open F (C, F, C, F, A, C). Dirk Attachments:
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2011 17:34:51 GMT
Hi Dirk,
If the saddle is not sitting properly, you need a new one. You do not need special tools, but you do need the bridge saddle to be sitting in its correct position.
The break angle looks fine, you do not need much of an angle.
Why did you under-string it?
Shine On
Michael
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dirk
MM Forum Member
Posts: 16
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Post by dirk on Jun 22, 2011 17:52:55 GMT
Hello,
I under-string it because I heard it would improve the sustain.
How can I make the slots for the strings in the saddle? They need different sizes.
When you see the 2nd picture, the corner of the tailpiece does not touch the cover plate there (right part of the picture). Is this ok?
Thank you.
Dirk
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2011 18:06:53 GMT
Hi Dirk,
It is the opposite to what you were told. The under-stringing will give less sustain because it puts too much pressure on the cone and therefore chokes the sound.
The tailpiece on your guitar is fine.
You do not need special tools, just a cheap set of files from your local store.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by bryanbradfield on Jun 28, 2011 19:08:43 GMT
Needle files, and a sharp jack-knife.
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