Why Would 2 Identical Guitars Feel So Different?

[Lucid_Lunatic]

I use the same strings and set ups on all my Les Pauls.

My Amber has always had a greatly noticeable stiffer action though. On playing and making bends, it takes twice the effort on it than my other 4 LP's. I've never figured it out. After playing any ofmy LP's and going to the Amber it feels like I go from 10 gauge strings to 12's or 13's acoustics, not the diameter, but just the force it takes to play it and make bends.

I have no clue what makes it that way. It's set up identical to all the others, has the same neck profile, etc., etc.


Any ideas?

[youngthrasher9]

Same frets? Same radius? I would check that first.

[JeffB]

Check the neck angle/s along with bridge/tp height.

[ImmortalSix]

[Kam]

I haven't actually made it through the whole post yet, but I'm pretty sure the answer lies in this thread.

[jcthejester13]

I'm pretty sure it's like nailing twins. They are identical but feel totally different.

[ImmortalSix]

I'm pretty sure it's like nailing twins.

[/thread]

[gilaltom3]

I'm pretty sure it's like nailing twins. They are identical but feel totally different.

sig'd

And I have nothing to add to this thread. It would blow my mind if I had identical guitars and they played differently.

[Jessie's ghost]

It would blow my mind if I had identical guitars and they played differently.

It would blow my mind if I had "identical" guitars and they played the same.

[BloodRose]

I'm pretty sure it's like nailing twins. They are identical but feel totally different.

Man, would I LOVE to test this theory! LOL! great post!

Seriously, Ive always wondered the same thing tho.. I can see tonal variation due to the wood, but the diff in feel is strange.

[BunnyGuitarShredder]

i dunno me and my younger sis are twins =\ completely different people, so yeah it would be like nailing twins both look the same, both feel different giggidy. I had the same issue with two identical Strats, one just played like total crap and the other was great.

[formula73]

I have the same kinda deal with my 73 vs my 93. The 73 feels like 11s and the 93 feels like 9s. I noticed the bridge sits a lot higher on the 73 so I assume the neck angle is a bit steeper or is, at least, effectively so due to the shallower top carve. I may start topwrapping my tailpiece since it's sitting close to 1/2" off the top, as it is.

[KoreanGuitarMan]

I haven't actually made it through the whole post yet, but I'm pretty sure the answer lies in this thread.

I think so too.

I may start top wrapping my tailpiece since it's sitting close to 1/2" off the top, as it is.

Decrease the break angle at the bridge, decrease string tension.

I'd also check to make sure both the saddles and nut slots are smooth. I've done saddle swaps on a guitar before and all of the sudden the neck just felt slippery the bending was so much easier.

[jnyjetta]

I'm pretty sure it's like nailing twins.

Yeah. What I thought too.

I have the same kinda deal with my 73 vs my 93. The 73 feels like 11s and the 93 feels like 9s.

Wait, so it's more like mother daughter?

[astrozombie]

Wait, so it's more like mother daughter?

[guitfiddle]

differences in fretboard material? Could make a difference in the bends, anyway.

[uOpt]

Try this:

Turn on tuner.

Strike low E string while in tune.

Hold guitar face down.


How much tune it loses from this will tell you how stiff the neck is. Unfortunately the test isn't perfect as closed tuners are much heavier than vintage style tuners but it is a start.

[gibson175]

i guess they are not identical then are they?

[astrozombie]

i guess they are not identical then are they?

[Jessie's ghost]

It's like when a friend sets you up on a blind date, and they tell you all about her:

Her name, age, occupation, family background, what kind of home and car she has, her height, weight, build, hair & eye color, physical description, what celebrities she "kinda" looks like, hobbies, what movies/music/TV/books she likes, religion, politics, food, d/d/s preferences, what makes her laugh, things she hates, taste in clothes, what she likes in a guy, pets, etc., etc., etc., and it all sounds great. You can't wait to contact her!

Then you meet her, and you think she's an obnoxious disgusting puke.

That's how it is with guitars. Like women, they can be shiny and pretty on the outside, and they might even have plastic parts in some places. They can have all the right features, specs, and measurements. But it's mainly what's on the inside that counts. Stuff that you can't convey through a website or a brochure.