Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bonnie.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!saf
From: saf@bonnie.UUCP (Steve Falco)
Newsgroups: net.music.guitar
Subject: Re: electric guitars
Message-ID: <553@bonnie.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Sep-85 08:35:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: bonnie.553
Posted: Fri Sep  6 08:35:44 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 7-Sep-85 05:46:13 EDT
References: <519@petrus.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ
Lines: 42

> ... what the differences are between the many kind of electric 6 -strings
> and why some are better than the others.

Oh boy - the answer to this could fill several books.  But here goes...

You should look for several things.  One is solidity - is the guitar
built out of a good heavy wood or is it made out of plywood and lots of
paint?  I built a solid-body from scratch and used maple.  The thing is
heavy but it sustains well and has no funny rattles or buzzes.

Another thing is adjustability.  You should be able to set string height
- preferably for each string.  You should also be able to set string
length (intonation) for each string (although fine guitars like the
Fender Telecaster only allow pairs of strings to be adjusted).

There is also neck stiffness.  Most people use a truss rod because they
can be sloppy in manufacture and adjust the neck straightness.  It also
allows a wide range of string gauges to be used.  Personally I prefer
a solid reinforcing bar because a truss rod increases the stress on the
neck while a reinforcing rod absorbs stress.  Unfortunately, reinforcing
rods are only found on either very cheap or verrrry expensive guitars.

Another thing is the nut.  (Not the one playing...)  The nut sets the
spacing of the strings and also the height to the first fret.  They can
make open notes sound slightly different than fretted notes.  Another
solution (used on Mosrite guitars) is to use a "zero fret".  This means
that even open notes are "stopped" at a fret.  Height is automatically
set when the frets are dressed at the factory.  Again, I prefer this.

Notice we have not even gotten to electronics yet?  Check the feel of
the pots to see that they have a nice feel and wide range of adjustment.
Can you turn them while playing (if you like to do that sort of thing.
I like active electronics where the pickups are buffered from the long,
high capacitance guitar cord.  But you also have to put up with
batteries.  Do you want any effects built in?

FINALLY, is it comfortable?  Is the neck a good width for your hand?
Does it sound good?

	Hope this helps.

	Steve Falco   AT&T Bell Laboratories   Whipany NJ