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Post subject: Improved resonance
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:48 pm
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Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:21 pm
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A while back I followed some advice I heard about improving the sound of a Strat. I sanded the finish off of the neck heel and from the neck pocket (removed a sticker too). I also sanded out the electronics cavity as best as I could and also removed the finish under the bridge and pick guard. Finally, I threw away the trem spring cover. I was just sitting out on my deck having a cool one and strumming away unplugged and it really struck me - this guitar is the most resonant Strat I have ever had - and I have had a few. It is especially resonant in E and B. The body and neck are more vibratory alive than they were. I don't know what improved it the most, but I suspect removing the finish under the bridge. Nonetheless, acoustically this MIM is a singer.


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Post subject: Re: Improved resonance
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:59 pm
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Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
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Cool discovery TrapperDoo.

That plastic coating can dampen a guitar's resonance. The newer thinner finishes are better to some degree, especially the nitro. Do you have the bridge decked or floating?

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Post subject: Re: Improved resonance
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 6:21 pm
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Did you remove the sheilding paint from inside the electronics cavity?


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Post subject: Re: Improved resonance
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 6:27 pm
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Removed the shielding paint and re-lined with copper foil. It still hums, but not any more than it did before.


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Post subject: Re: Improved resonance
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:13 pm
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I'm happy for you if you achieved, or further approached, "your" sound. It sounds like you really went through some hard work to get there!

I hope you don't mind this question- but do you rest your arm on the upper bout?

As a fellow strat-player, I've found that resting my arm too heavily on the instrument dampens the resonance a bit. Typing it out, it seems so obvious... but I had overlooked that for so long! I picked up the tip that by lifting your arm a bit you will gain more pick control. More resonance (and more HF content, to my ears at least) was a byproduct.

My resonant Strat experience:
Although I haven't played tons and tons of Stratocasters, my MIJ Aerodyne Stratocaster, which I equipped with SCN's, was by far the most resonant. Actually, it was too resonant and mid-rangy for my taste! Incidentally, I have the one with no pickguard. It's also made of basswood, FWIW. As a result, the pots etc. are all accessible from the back of the guitar, so a bit of the guitar is chambered out to accommodate all of it.

Unfortunately, all that resonance without a lot of high frequency information is not what I'm looking for in a Stratocaster.

At any rate, I'm happy for you! I assume that since your guitar is (most likely) made from a different wood that it still has those high frequencies should you need them. I didn't have that with my Aerodyne. Lucky you :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Improved resonance
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 4:00 am
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Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
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I absolutely agree re the sticker!!! Why on earth do they put a piece of paper between neck and body? Every time I buy a Strat, the first thing I do is have the neck off and remove it. (If it's still in one piece I stick it on the back of the scratchplate).

I avoid using anything that interferes with the neck/body joint. Wood-to-wood is, for me, the only way to go. I've occasionally had some rather strange tones otherwise.


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