Sl2H easier to play then Sl2hT or am I crazy

[Chad]

You are partially right.

The Floyd allows movement when stretching, but the movement itself reduces the tension in the string (the reaction at the bridge is smaller), hence it takes a larger bend to achieve the same note. Overall, it counteracts itself and is about the same for both. StrT require more force and bend less, and Floyd requires less force and bends more ... at the end the achieved note is the same.

Right on. However, if a person blocks the Floyd, uses heavy springs, or a bunch of springs this won't matter much.

[JacksonRR]

You are used to your guitar that could be some of it to but as far as bending it might feel easier with the floyd because if you notice the floyd will move a little while you bend. A string thru has no give other than the flex of the strings themselves. I like string thrus better due to the strings being a little closer together (string spacing)

+1

[Seventh Avenged]

man, i've played floyded bridges and stop-tailed axes and vintage tremmed guitars, and my string-through just feels incredibly better and different from all the rest.

slinkier and loose. the first guitar i've liked high action on as well.

my floyded axe is the one where the tension's a lot tighter. my EB old JP6 as well.

this all is very interesting.

is there a way to change tensions on guitars (ones without floyds or with blocked floyds) other than string guage and neck adjustments?

[Chad]

is there a way to change tensions on guitars (ones without floyds or with blocked floyds) other than string guage and neck adjustments?

If a guitar has a stop tailpiece then adjust its height. The higher it sits the looser the strings will feel. The lower it sits the tighter the strings will feel.

As mentioned above, if the guitar is string-through you can't do much in this regard. I guess a person could install string trees on the headstock, but that would be a really dumb mod IMO because that leads to other issues.

Oh yeah, if you like the low strings floppy and are buying a guitar with 6 on a side tuners, then go with a reversed headstock. If you would rather have floppy high strings, then go with a standard headstock.

[Postal]

I just read on another forum that Chad is basically correct-

The short string length of a floyd guitar with lock nut gives a much shorter usable string, making it feel "tighter", and bends are harder to do, but raise in pitch with a shorter bend length because there is less string to stretch during the bend.

The string thru feels looser, and bends have to be pushed farther for the same change in pitch because the entire string stretches during the bend, not just the part from nut to bridge....

normal or rev headstock would make zero difference with a lock nut, but without a lock nut would, would reverse the "feel".

It's all a matter of personal preference.... however- a tighter guitar could possibly be played a little faster because your bends would be shorter for the same change in pitch, and on a narrow nut guitar- a long bend could cause an accidental muted string next to the bended string.

As for bridge height.... I'll have to try it myself sometime.... until I do, I dont believe it would change anything....

7th... adjusting the neck for string feel? huh?

If the floyd moves from heavy picking.... you need a thinner pick!

[Carbophos]

The short string length of a floyd guitar with lock nut gives a much shorter usable string, making it feel "tighter", and bends are harder to do, but raise in pitch with a shorter bend length because there is less string to stretch during the bend.

The string thru feels looser, and bends have to be pushed farther for the same change in pitch because the entire string stretches during the bend, not just the part from nut to bridge....

Plain wrong. When you bend FR dives a bit and the bend length is longer than fixed bridge. And because FR dives the bends can go further. Bending one 4th (2.5 steps) higheris no problem on FR, while on hardtail you will most likely end up being out of tune (maybe not if locking tuners installed) and there's a risk of breaking a string. So the bend length is bigger but the string resistant is less.

Obviously the feel of the bends and vibrato is pretty different on FR and string-thru. For me personally there's no big deal. I can't tell that one is better or easier. Just the feel is different. Some stuff goes more natural on string-thru, some stuff - on FR. I doubt that "easier" is a proper word even, may be "more convenient", "more comfortable" is the word.

Just for example: I mean 8-42 strings are generally considered to be "easier" than 10-50, but I just can't play on 8-42. And I know a lot of people that can't play on rubber threads too. But there's a lot of people that will never play on anything heavier than 9-46.

It's all the matter of personal playing style...

[Chad]

Plain wrong. When you bend FR dives a bit and the bend length is longer than fixed bridge. And because FR dives the bends can go further. Bending one 4th (2.5 steps) higheris no problem on FR, while on hardtail you will most likely end up being out of tune (maybe not if locking tuners installed) and there's a risk of breaking a string. So the bend length is bigger but the string resistant is less.

"Plain wrong" isn't a fair comment because the issue isn't that black and white. As said above, it depends on how many springs are installed, how stiff the springs are, etc. Also, you must be assuming that the Floyd isn't blocked.

[Chad]

Another thought for the day: why do lots of locking nut guitars have tilt-back headstocks? I fail to see the point because once the nut is locked, it no longer matters. You get none of the pros, but do get at least one con because tilt-backs are more fragile.

[JACKSONFREAK]

String brand also is a factor. D'addario 9-42 for example has a stiffer feel than say EB 9-42 (super slinkys) do. So some of the differnce in feel could be string related. Just a thought.
Gil

[Chad]

That's usually due to a brand having a thicker core on the wound strings. I've been such a long time D'Addario user that I haven't bought EB SS in a long time. I ought to pickup a set to compare. You can easily unwind a little bit of the wound strings and measure the core with calipers. I've done that with other brands....just not head to head D'Addario vs. EB SS Nickel Plated.

[Carbophos]

"Plain wrong" isn't a fair comment because the issue isn't that black and white. As said above, it depends on how many springs are installed, how stiff the springs are, etc. Also, you must be assuming that the Floyd isn't blocked.

In floating tremolos springs tension is always equal to string tension. Number of springs affects only each individual spring tension, but overall tension is just the same.
For given strings gauge and tuning the overall tension is a constant. This means that springs stiffnes doesn't matter too. Because you either choose for example 3 stiffer springs or 4 more "elastic" springs. And NO other way.

Ah yes... Blocked Floyd or non-floating IS NOT Floyd but some mock of Floyd. Period. I just don't think of such guitars as of FR-equipped.

[Carbophos]

Another thought for the day: why do lots of locking nut guitars have tilt-back headstocks? I fail to see the point because once the nut is locked, it no longer matters. You get none of the pros, but do get at least one con because tilt-backs are more fragile.

Neck angle is not that important for the guitars with locked nuts as for the guitars with regular nuts, but it still affects the strings pressure. Some venodrs even put strings retainers behing the locking nut.

[Chad]

Yeah, I made that comment with the assumption that most locking nut guitars have a string retainer. My EBMM Axis has a straight headstock and a string retainer, and it works fine. Plus, it is also much sturdier than if it had an angled headstock.

[Carbophos]

Ibanez headstocks are angled AND have retainers.

As for durability. Well for mahogany necks that's maybe an issue. I have seen quiet a few Gibsons with headstocks falling apart (well, not exactly apart, glued black head cap still holds the thing). And it's easy to break sometimes just dropping the case from some height. But maple necks are much more durable. You really have to do something like putting the guitar on the floor and stepping on it to break angled maple headstock.

I believe that if the player doesn't abuse his guitar and takes a minimum necessary care of it, there's no problem with any kind of neck and headstock.

[toejam]

My EBMM Axis has a straight headstock and a string retainer, and it works fine. Plus, it is also much sturdier than if it had an angled headstock.

You're better off with a retainer for a straight headstock. You'll go more sharp when you lock the nut on a straight headstock than you would if you have one that tilts back. The retainer angles the strings back for more downward pressure.