If You Could Build Your Dream Guitar

[oldane]

Dont want to thread jack ATH. As I understand it, if you took two identical guitars with the same gauge strings but one guitar had a longer distance from the bridge to the string anchors than the other then as you depressed a string to fret it then the force required by the finger to overcome the action height would be less because the additional stretch to fret would be spread over a proportionately longer overall length of string. Likewise, if you were string bending then it would feel easier but you would have to bend the string further to achieve the same pitch change than on the shorter overall string length guitar. I'm quite happy to be corrected if I am wrong!!

In principle you are right. But in practice it plays a very minor role. First, the extra strech of string added at the tailpiece is too short to have any significant effect. Second, the friction of the strings over the bridge saddle inhibits the stretching between the bridge and the tailpiece. I think our former forum member PTChris did an actual test of this and couldn't detect any measurable effect.

[oldane]

For me it would be hands down that one:

An ES 350 with the same specs as Tal Farlows customized 350 of the 1950s. I'd like to have this one!

[Archie]

A tobacco sunburst es175d, left handed.

have the cash, there is not one for sale in the WORLD for the last few months.

Enjoy your right handed lives!!!

Have you tried the 'Lefty Emporium' in Springfield ;-)

[Archie]

In principle you are right. But in practice it plays a very minor role. First, the extra strech of string added at the tailpiece is too short to have any significant effect. Second, the friction of the strings over the bridge saddle inhibits the stretching between the bridge and the tailpiece. I think our former forum member PTChris did an actual test of this and couldn't detect any measurable effect.

So why do I find a difference in the tensions between say the Gibson and some other models I have played?

Am I actually under a false impression?

[oldane]

So why do I find a difference in the tensions between say the Gibson and some other models I have played?

Am I actually under a false impression?

I think yes and no. The percieved fretting resistance is dependent on other factors as well. For example the fret size, the shape of the fret dressing, the cut of the nut slots, the neck relief, the neck profile, the fretboard radius + likely several other factors.

[pingu]

So why do I find a difference in the tensions between say the Gibson and some other models I have played?

Am I actually under a false impression?

weird innit ? i've felt this too ....
can't be right tho , according to the physics

[Archie]

I think yes and no. The percieved fretting resistance is dependent on other factors as well. For example the fret size, the shape of the fret dressing, the cut of the nut slots, the neck relief, the neck profile, the fretboard radius + likely several other factors.

Lol damn these guitar thingies, I knew it wasn't going to be simple

[2bornot2bop]

Over 100 guitars have passed through my hands over the years. I can appreciate many different types of guitars. So technical specs are less important to me at this point than playability and ergonomic attributes, which as a set are elusive, even in the most costly instruments:

- Absolute tuning stability
- Near perfect intonation
- Smooth frets that feel invisible
- Very lightweight
- Balanced when sitting or standing
- Fingerboard radius that lets every fretting effort hit its mark
- Feels good for finger style as well as plectrum playing
- Strums great, picks great, touch sensitive, punchy
- Acoustically responsive and dynamic
- Electrically responsive and dynamic
- No wolf tones or bum notes

Some of the above imply that it must be an acoustically capable guitar, and that would be right. A 16" or 17" archtop would be fine, thank you. I even have a couple that actually approach the ideal. But it has not been easy, or cheap, or a short trip, to get to this destination!

My first choice would be RP's vintage refinished Super 400. I'm hoping he'll decide to part with it someday. It's tough to recreate any guitar that breaks the mold.

[jazzbow]

My dream guitar would be long scale, rosewood fingerboard, 43mm nut width, single coil Charlie Christian pickup, hollow or semi acoustic...



or this....






I've come close with this......


But soon enough I'll have something like this.

:-D

[Max405]

Archie, If I could build my perfect Guitar, it would be a Blond Gibson Johnny Smith.
Its basically my Heritage Johnny Smith with the build quality and solidness of my L5wes.
Joe D

[Archie]

Archie, If I could build my perfect Guitar, it would be a Blond Gibson Johnny Smith.
Its basically my Heritage Johnny Smith with the build quality and solidness of my L5wes.
Joe D

I've always wanted a Johnny Smith, you're a lucky man. Didn't I hear you saying it was better than the Gibson version? I heard someone mention that and gave reasons as to why but I forgot (better being subjective of course).

An early blonde model is my next target after hitting the L5 CES a few months back.

[Max405]

Archie,
I played a Gibson Johnny Smith and it was extraordinary. It had that typical Gibson tank-like feel to it. It sounded great acoustically and I didn't play it plugged in. Problem is, I wouldn't pay $12,000 for one that is in excellent condition because it doesn't make sense to me. Its probably well worth it, but just not to me. That's why the Heritage made sense. I like the Heritage a lot. But I wish the Gibson was cheaper. Think about it. I have a Johnny Smith signed Guitar and A BEAUTIFUL L5 for a hair under $10,000. See what I'm saying..
Joe D

I've always wanted a Johnny Smith, you're a lucky man. Didn't I hear you saying it was better than the Gibson version? I heard someone mention that and gave reasons as to why but I forgot (better being subjective of course).

An early blonde model is my next target after hitting the L5 CES a few months back.

[fws6]

Id make a guitar that combines everything I like, in one and the same instrument

[mr. beaumont]

Id make a guitar that combines everything I like, in one and the same instrument

Which occasionally end up like Linguini with Clam sauce flavored Ice Cream

[Archie]

Archie,
I played a Gibson Johnny Smith and it was extraordinary. It had that typical Gibson tank-like feel to it. It sounded great acoustically and I didn't play it plugged in. Problem is, I wouldn't pay $12,000 for one that is in excellent condition because it doesn't make sense to me. Its probably well worth it, but just not to me. That's why the Heritage made sense. I like the Heritage a lot. But I wish the Gibson was cheaper. Think about it. I have a Johnny Smith signed Guitar and A BEAUTIFUL L5 for a hair under $10,000. See what I'm saying..
Joe D

Damn I didn't know they were so heavy.

I wish everyone could play that Eccleshall JS type I got. Its a guitar you have to try, its everything i would expect an vintage JS to be but its feather light and surprisingly sounds super plugged in. Well it also came with a BJB :-)

You did well mate :-)

[bananafist]

This (Lee Ritenour) sized L5, but with a 25" scale, 1 3/4" nut and a 'proper' L5 tailpiece.
15 1/2" lower bout, 2 5/8" body depth, floater JS pickup - already there.
That G word still has magic for me, despite all the not-so-good variables over the years.

[Max405]

Damn I didn't know they were so heavy.

I wish everyone could play that Eccleshall JS type I got. Its a guitar you have to try, its everything i would expect an vintage JS to be but its feather light and surprisingly sounds super plugged in. Well it also came with a BJB :-)

You did well mate :-)

I've never seen an Eccleshall over here in the US. I'll look out for one.

Thanks, Joe D.

[Archie]

I've never seen an Eccleshall over here in the US. I'll look out for one.

Thanks, Joe D.

No you wont find one mate, it was a one off. The guy usually builds flat tops and some are played or were played by David Bowie. In fact the Ecclshall I had was used by hank marvin (although I don't shout that bit ;-)

Heres Bowie with his Eccle's and Hank with my one (well now my friends one).

[Max405]

Very very cool Archie. Thanks for posting.
Joe D

[feet]

a dream guitar? as in what i really super want or one guitar to replace the others? i don't know. i suppose something based off a collings soco would be a pretty good summary of my playing style and tones. i'd just have to decide on a spruce or maple top, and minis, pafs or tv jones. but definitely the big headstock and inlays. it may even have a bigsby. but it would look a lot like this one (though it might also be wine red):

Collings SoCo Deluxe Vintage White (370)

that would probably suffice as a be all, end all #1 type guitar.

if we are just talking irrational dream guitars, then this:



or possibly the older, full depth one with the funny switches. don't know. or maybe a nice old sheraton.

[bananafist]

Isn't Chris Eccleshall still building guitars in Ireland? He could probably build another like Hanks.

Just looked him up, website says 'west country' so still in England apparently, and still list archtops as builds.

[TheGrandWazoo]

As soon I make that dream guitar it will no longer be my dream guitar and then I'll just want something else. This is our unfortunate lot gentlemen.

[mr quick]

If I could build the perfect guitar, it'd be my Ibanez with a poly finish and a single floater!