Obstsalat
Well-Known Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzw98noadjA
This is a link to a video where Jim from Gibson is presenting the new features on Gibson Custom guitars at NAMM 2017
He mentions that they now use lightweight aluminium TOM bridges and tailpieces (instead of the normal zinc alloy / zamak)
Jim claim that this enhances sustain and overtones which is probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Let me explain why that is not true at all:
Lightweight and soft metals are easily picking up vibrations from the string.
Vibrating hardware means loss of kinetic energy in the string. which means LESS sustain. Same with overtones. Light materials will dampen the sh*t out of overtones
Aluminum is about 2.2 times lighter then zinc alloys and its modulus of elasticity is only 75% of the zinc alloy's...but it's really cheap in production...hmmm![Scratch :scratch: :scratch:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/scratchhead.gif)
![Scratch :scratch: :scratch:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/scratchhead.gif)
![Scratch :scratch: :scratch:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/scratchhead.gif)
It's probably the least suitable bridge material if you ask me.
If they wanted to enhance sustain and stuff they would go for steel. It's heavier and stiffer then both of the materials above...but can't be pressure casted as easily. So a steel bridge (especially a forged one) would be quite expensive
Basically they cut down production costs using an inferior material, sell it for more and advertise it as an upgrade...it makes me REALLY angry to be honest because i know people WILL fall into that trap.
All I can say is: If you are planning on ordering a Custom Les Paul...go with zinc hardware. It's a better bridge
This is a link to a video where Jim from Gibson is presenting the new features on Gibson Custom guitars at NAMM 2017
He mentions that they now use lightweight aluminium TOM bridges and tailpieces (instead of the normal zinc alloy / zamak)
Jim claim that this enhances sustain and overtones which is probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Let me explain why that is not true at all:
Lightweight and soft metals are easily picking up vibrations from the string.
Vibrating hardware means loss of kinetic energy in the string. which means LESS sustain. Same with overtones. Light materials will dampen the sh*t out of overtones
Aluminum is about 2.2 times lighter then zinc alloys and its modulus of elasticity is only 75% of the zinc alloy's...but it's really cheap in production...hmmm
![Scratch :scratch: :scratch:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/scratchhead.gif)
![Scratch :scratch: :scratch:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/scratchhead.gif)
![Scratch :scratch: :scratch:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/scratchhead.gif)
It's probably the least suitable bridge material if you ask me.
If they wanted to enhance sustain and stuff they would go for steel. It's heavier and stiffer then both of the materials above...but can't be pressure casted as easily. So a steel bridge (especially a forged one) would be quite expensive
Basically they cut down production costs using an inferior material, sell it for more and advertise it as an upgrade...it makes me REALLY angry to be honest because i know people WILL fall into that trap.
All I can say is: If you are planning on ordering a Custom Les Paul...go with zinc hardware. It's a better bridge