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Post subject: Improving sustain
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:58 pm
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I have a US Nitro Strat. I believe it has the vintage synchronized tremolo. Vintage saddles. No clue what the block material is. Looking to improve sustain without significantly increasing brightness. Looking at different saddles and/or steel block. Also considering Callaham or Hipshot Contour tremolo system. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

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Post subject: Re: Improving sustain
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 11:34 pm
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What pickups are in the guitar?

What strings do you use?

What type of amp do you have?

How do you set its volume and EQ controls?

What outboard effects do you use?

All of these factors will have a direct influence on how well the guitar sustains.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Improving sustain
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 1:34 am
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southdakota wrote:
.... Also considering Callaham or Hipshot Contour tremolo system. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.


In which case you will just be bowing to advertising hyperbole. You already have all the tools you need.

If you don't use the wammy you may get more sustain out of the guitar by blocking or decking the bridge. Pickup height/type will have an influence as the magnetic fields generated can act as a damper.

Guitars and guitar playing is a complex system of a great many factors. Changing some stuff might have a small influence but then I look at the guitar playing greats and think, "Well they could have anything and yet the standard parts seem to work well enough for them." David Gilmour is a prime example of having tried almost everything but returned to standard hardware.

Assuming your guitar is set up correctly (and you haven't bought a lemon with a body made of sponge) strings, playing style and signal path are the best places to look, as is an understanding of the system. Different notes will sustain more or less by virtue of harmonics within the system. Volume will influence sustain as the strings react in sympathy to a barrage of sound being thrown at them.

And after all of this don't forget the wiggle.

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Post subject: Re: Improving sustain
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 2:48 am
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southdakota wrote:
Looking at different saddles and/or steel block. Also considering Callaham or Hipshot Contour tremolo system.

That's the 'equipment first' way. IMHO, the effect of upgrading all possible parts is mostly psychological.

Agree with all (well, not with the sponge body comment - ZZ Top had the fur guitar sustaining for days, Fender made the cardboard Strat...) of the above. And, a perfect setup is important - anything can be ruined if the guitar doesn't play at its peak.

One funny thing about sustain is, it varies. In the eighties, it was sustain=weight/mass. Today, it's (maybe?) resonating - and of course buying expensive high end parts.


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Post subject: Re: Improving sustain
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 9:41 pm
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Everything they said already...
Maybe just try different strings and a new setup w/ the guitar plugged straight into the amp w/ the volume on 12 will do the job just fine.


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Post subject: Re: Improving sustain
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:28 pm
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southdakota wrote:
...considering Callaham...


That is one of the best things you can do to improve sustain, even more so with the bridge decked. As mentioned, proper setup, especially having ample space between pups and strings, will help also.

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