Conference napalm::guitar

    Strats and Teles traditionally only have 21 frets.  It wasn't until
    recently that Fender started making 22-fret necks.  On 22-fret necks,
    the fretboard extends past the end of the neck, allowing for the 22nd
    fret.
    
    Jim
    
                                                                    

Actually, you've touched on something that is inherent in the old
cliche, 

		'the feel of a fender'

Because of the shorter scale (21 frets) the distance between the
bridge saddle, and the nut is shorter,  Thus, the shorter distance
attributes to a stiffer or tighter feel on the strings.

Conversly, a Les paul, having a longer scale will feel alot
different because this distance is longer (distance between
the nut and bridge saddle..)

hence the old addage,, "Real men play Strats."

    re: .-1
    
    I think you have it backwards, the scale length of a Fender is LONGER
    then a Les Paul.
    
    But you're right about the way they each feel!
    
    Greg

    Re: .3
    ditto. backwards.

    Re: .2
    ditto. real men. :|

    re: .2
    
>> Because of the shorter scale (21 frets) the distance between the
>> bridge saddle, and the nut is shorter,  Thus, the shorter distance
>> attributes to a stiffer or tighter feel on the strings.

>> Conversly, a Les paul, having a longer scale will feel alot
>> different because this distance is longer (distance between
>> the nut and bridge saddle..)
    
    Actually, this is a bit backwards.  Fender has the LONGER scale
    (~25 inches vs. ~24 inches).   The placement of the pickups and 
    body geometry are the main factors in why a strat has 21 frets and
    a Les Paul has 22.
    
    The length of the scale does affect the string tension.  Three main
    factors determine the pitch of a vibrating string: the mass of the
    string (and thus the diameter of the string), the length of the string
    (that's why frets work) and the tension of the string.  To make a
    25" string have the same pitch as a 24" of the same diameter, the
    tension on the 25" string must be increased.  As a result, when strung
    with the same type of strings, a strat will have a greater string
    tension than a Les Paul (or other 24" scale).
    
    Jim
    

BTW, Check out that last fret on a 22 fret strat, it's in the wrong
place and it's too wide for where it is on the neck.  Notes there will
never be correctly intonated.


-T

    re: 2213.2    Real men play Fender thing...
    
    
    Is that with light gauge, or heavy gauge strings?
    
    If I use .011" to .056" gauge strings on a Strat, what does that make me?
    
    
    			Fred (who's_left_himself_open_for_more_abuse)

    re .-1
    
    so, what are the gauges of the other strings, Fred? I'm coming to the
    conclusion that .010's are just TOO DAMN LIGHT to play how I like
    to play. I like how my acoustic feels with .012-.054's on it (and
    real low action!). Just think, I used to always play with .008's
    about 5 years ago!
    
    - Dave (getting ready to make the move to BIG FAT strings)

    Re: .7, .8
    
    Try out Markley "Jazz" strings....these babies are .013, you wanna talk
    about tone.  
    
    Lotsa fun doing bends, they like to struggle 8^)  8^)
    
    						Brian

    I have a friend that uses Dean Markley .013's on his PRS guitars.  I
    don't think they were the Jazz models though, just regular ones (the
    orange wrapper ones).  He said that stores don't stock 'em and he had
    to have someplace special order them for him.   He loves the tone (and
    I must admit, they scream).  I thought they were pretty uncomfortable
    myself.
    
    Greg   

    
    
    
    	Oh yeah, here's that note!  Shoot.. I agree, Greg, I'm still
    whining about .10s
    
    
    Gree Vee 

    Real men don't bend more than a whole tone anyway. Right!?
    Make mine D'Addario starting with .011 for hi E.

    BTW, who needs a 22 fret? Mark Knoffler? Robert Cray? Danny Gatton?
    Billy Gibbons? David Gilmore? Eric Clapton? SRV (rip)? Eric Johnson?

    None of the above?

    I rest my case.

    
    Re -1 
    
    So Gilmour and his 2 1/2 tone bends in 3 stages makes him a wimpy 
    non-real man then?
    
    
    J :*) * lots!

    Re -1

    Well everyone's entitled to stray a bit. I'll cut David a little slack
    cuz I like him.  I mean it's not like he spends Sundays dressed in drag.
    Besides, I was just kidding.

    BTW, where does he do this "2 1/2 tone bend in stages thing"?

    --rjb :\
    

    
    
    He actually does it all over the place, sort of a trademark thing,
    Listen to the solo in "Another Brick in the Wall" Part II (I think)
    he does it a couple of times in there (sort of a 'wow, wow, WOW' Sound)
    Another thing I have noticed he does all over the place is to bend the
    A (the one on the G string 2nd fret) while picking it to create an
    artificial harmonic. (An example of this is the 3rd bar of "Young
    Lust")......I also think its a cool effect.....but a bugger on your
    fingertips!!!
    
    J

    J

    I know what you're talking about. He does all that from one position??
    You sure he doesn't go the first 1 + 1/2 then shift to a new position
    before the last bend?  Maybe he's not tuned up to pitch.  2 + 1/2 is a
    long bend. Only a REAL MAN could bend a note that far on a steel string
    guitar tuned up to pitch. You know, I bet Gilmore could crush beer cans
    on his forehead too.

    --rjb :]

    
    
    Nope....all from one position, I've been to watch him twice and I have
    numerous vid's with close up shots of him playing.
    
    The actual bending isn't too bad, but getting it smooth is another
    issue!.
    
    J