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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2005 : 5:12:11 PM
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Gordon,
My two Taylor 6-strings are both semi-custom in that I had them configured with a wider neck. They are 1 and 7/8 at the nut, which is the standard width for Taylor (and some other companies) 12 string guitars. This is a semi-economical way to get a wider fretboard from a "mass produced" guitar. I also once bought a used Yamaha 12 string and removed half the strings (and half the tuners) to arrive at a wide-neck & cheap travel guitar. I did not like the sound so I left it with George to give to his students, but the concept works (if you do not mind the looks). Generally, as you have no doubt discovered, the string spacing is a function of the neck width, but there are some variations.
I know Keola prefers a wider neck and I think that he plays the same nut width a me (1 7/8), but don't quote me. The main problem with these wider necks that I have discovered is that it is much harder to wrap the thumb around the neck and use it to "finger" the sixth string. (No classical players do this) Other that that, the wider neck is better for fingerstyle playing.
As far as string gauge goes, if you know what tunings you will be playing in, then it is possible to calculate the optimum string gauge for a given desired tension. And the tension is a function of how hard you like to play. Of course this will make you end up buying custom or semi-custom string sets!
Yes - Carl - undersaddle pickups are slightly compressible and they also add a little extra gap space between the strings and the guitar top. This will change the sound, hopefully only slightly, since the coupling dynamics between the stings and the top will change.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 03/13/2005 5:21:45 PM |
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