Is it possible to get an accurate measure of a guitar's sustain by just strumming it while on a stand, unplugged, then comparing the time it holds it's sound against other guitars? Or, what is a more accurate way, and how much importance is sustain to you in your playing? Plugged in, you are bringing the amp into the picture, aren't you? Does string gauge make a difference? Lot's of questions, but many of you can give me the correct answers.

Hi tvr: I have a feeling that if you want to be scientific then something along the lines of an oscilloscope to accurately measure how long the output stays above a certain level will be necessary. Maybe computer-based software can do that job nowadays? And you'll also need a way of producing a consistent pluck on the string: obviously the sustain will be longer if you pluck harder, so to compare guitars you need the pluck to be exactly the same time after time. Not impossible, but not simple either.

We did a long thread on this once before, two or three years ago, and some of the more technically minded bods weighed in with good suggestions. But I'm not going to tell you to do a search... because I just tried and I can't find it.

Cheers - C

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Too many variables..you could ideally compare two of the same model guitars and have vastly ranging measurements or calibrations.
Are you referring to the amount of time a strings oscillation decay's.. Just setup alone being different from each guitar will give you different answers...

This gets in the realm of engineering, there is plenty of published material on this subject, so I'm not sure as to what end you are seeking...
A guitar is going to sound different everyday due to environmental changes..
For me this is analyzing to the absurd degree.
If it plays well, sounds great and the note sustains long enough, that is good enough for me.

Unless you are playing each note until inaudible decay, then this is overkill, plus I doubt there is going to be too many people left in the audience by the time you strike the 10th or latter note...

On the other end..the scientific studies of musical instrument and their functionality ( for lack of a better word ) is interesting reading...But I like to keep the science to a minimum when it comes to Musical Sounds.....

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Just like how a person prefers the action to be set on their guitar or how they like their jeans to fit or whether they prefer brunettes, blondes or redheads, sustain is something that the scientific community could probably measure...but ultimately, what would be the point?

When you play a guitar, the sustain will be heard and felt, but is hard to quantify other than, "This one sustains more than that one..."

Pickup height, string height/action, body construction, neck-to-body joint and pickup strength will all affect sustain. The type of bridge, nut and wood can affect it too (but less so). So ultimately, I think a scientific study of sustain would be as ignored as the study of the differing resonances/tones of maple vs. rosewood fretboards and alder vs. ash vs. mahogany bodies...

It all ends up with how it feels to you...

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

That is just my opinion, of course, but if you disagree you'd be wrong (just kidding...maybe!)

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

It ain't the sustain I think so much about,it's getting the vibrato action from my hand to really do something with it.

Ill bet this guy could measure it for you...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

I knew you guys would have some good answers. Thanks!

dude it's actually quite simple than you make it sound... sure there are scientific ways of measuring sustain but simply just count the seconds man... in the end those seconds are all that really matter right? (you could always combine an oscilloscope with a cronometer if this is that important to you that way it could be more accurate)

That's exactly with I mean. People say their guitar has fantastic sustain, but how do they know that? Too many variable besides the body of the guitar to attribute sustain just to that.

your totally right... in the end it all comes down to the guitars clean sound and when i mean clean i mean absolutley nothing changing the sound of the guitar...

I measure by beats as my standard. If I can acoustically get at least 8 strong beats out of a single picked, finger vibrato, it passes my adequacy requirements.

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You dig?

+1 what everyone's said so far. I'm not sure I would spend too much time testing for it though. Whatever happens have fun and it's always amazing how knowledgeable this Forums guitar players are.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.