Soprano sustain question

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pluck

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• Mar 14, 2016

• #1

I've noticed on my soprano that at lower fret positions my E string has better sustain then my A string but at higher fret positions my A string has better sustain than my E string. Is this common among sopranos? I am using flourocarbon strings if that makes a difference.

This seems to suggest that there is an ideal string length to diameter ratio as it relates to sustain - but I wouldn't bet my life on it.

 

coolkayaker1

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• Mar 15, 2016

• #2

To some degree, especially at 1:35 in this video from a few days ago, Gordon speaks to your question.



I'm sorry that, although I own a boatload of sopranos, pluck, I'm too thick to find such variability in sustain. A more nuanced player surely can answer better than I. The best to answer it: you if you can get your mitts on another soprano for comparison.

 

Last edited: Mar 15, 2016

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pluck

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• Mar 15, 2016

• #3

Hey cool. I saw that video which is what got me considering sustain. From what I remember, he said that with all other things being equal thinner strings have better sustain. I think this is a fine justification for using fluorocarbons. However, if you set aside string density and thickness considerations and look at string length as a variable then it begins to get complicated.

 

coolkayaker1

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• Mar 21, 2016

• #4

Hi, pluck. As noted, I have been busy, but did return to this thread--as promised--just to see if you had posted a sound sample. None found, so I assume you have it figured out.

Peace, friend.

 

actadh

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• Mar 21, 2016

• #5

I think it is build. My Brueko has the best overall sustain of all my sopranos, but my countertop material OXK has decent sustain, too, because of how it is built.

 

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pluck

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• Mar 21, 2016

• #6

Thanks, coolkayaker1. The more I looked at it the more complicated it got. I won't go into all the details because it's very boring but string length and thickness don't seem to be the only factors involved. All the best. pluck.