Guitar tuning - worth it? (picture update)

[Alex]

Hi all

I have an ESP Eclipse (picture below). I always felt it could resonate a bit more and especially the higher end could be a bit louder, more sparkly. I've experimented with pickup changes before and don't really want to go down that route again - I know it's the acoustic tone that's the problem here. The guitar has too much midrange and not enough treble IMO. Personally, I think the mahogany neck is to blame here (I would have preferred maple).

Given that I can't just change the wood of the neck I was wondering if it would be worth swapping other parts on the guitar. It plays very nicely and keeps in tune great.

I did some research and there are 3 parts I believe I could exchange:
Nut
Bridge
Stop tail piece

All three would require me to go to a skilled luthier and imply quite a lot of cost.

I came across quality stoptails from Mueller in Germany (the stoptail for example is 20gramms heavier than the GOTOH one on it atm.
http://www.abm-mueller.com/PDF/2500_Guide_small.pdf

Does anyone have experience and/or recommendations for any of these 3 upgrades?

Thanks

[Philly Q]

I did some research and there are 3 parts I believe I could exchange:
Nut
Bridge
Stop tail piece

All three would require me to go to a skilled luthier and imply quite a lot of cost.

I'm not sure why you think changing the tailpiece or bridge would need the involvement of a skilled luthier - parts are made to pretty standard sizes nowadays and I think the ABM and Gotoh parts probably even use the same metric thread sizes on their mounting screws (I'm not totally sure about that, but I assume ABM, being German, use metric sizes).

It's true that your bridge uses the larger posts which are perhaps a little less common than the narrower types, so that might be a bit of an issue.

As to the effects of actually changing the parts, they will be fairly subtle.  I've often swapped standard tailpieces for lighter aluminium ones, which does make a noticeable difference - high and low notes seem to ring out a little more, become more "piano-like".  On the other hand I think it sometimes seems to take away a little solidity in the midrange, and I'm not convinced it helps sustain (perhaps even the opposite).

Changing the bridge won't make so much difference unless you get one made from a totally different material.  I believe most are made from zinc or similar; you might find some brass ones, or Callaham make one from solid stainless steel.  Graphtech's ResoMax bridges are made from some kind of lightweight alloy and they would also directly replace your Gotoh parts, without any surgery:

http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/resomax/resomax-tune-o-matic-bridges

[Kiichi]

I donīt know how much difference it would make, our dear Philly already gave much better info on that anyhow, but I would deffo say that you should look at the bridge long before the nut. Reason being that the bridge is involved in the sound of every string you play ever, while the nut only does a job on the tone when you play an open string.

[Philly Q]

I should've mentioned, I think the Gotoh hardware you have already is good stuff, it's not like you have some cheapo guitar with no-name Chinese hardware.

Reading your opening post again, I think it's definitely worth trying an aluminium tailpiece - it could subtly affect the mids and treble in just the ways you're looking for.  And if you don't like it, it's easily reversible and hasn't cost you much.

[FELINEGUITARS]

could you photo the nut please?

Is it just a normal nut
If so then I recommend the Earvana compensated nut that ESP fitted to the EC1000
Will make a much clearer more in tune guitar.
Also - you could change the tailpiece studs for the tronepros locking ones - will make resonance a bit better
Finally experiment with an aluminium tail-bar in conjunction with the locking studs may as Philly Q said give extra zing
The Gotoh ali tailpiece is good in my experience

We stock all these and fit them on our guitars - hence our recommendation

[Alex]

It's the normal bone nut that was fitted on the guitar.

What's the difference between a bell brass (Glockenmessing) tailpiece and the aluminium one, in terms of sound?

[Philly Q]

I don't know.  Bell metal is presumably resonant, since it's used for making bells, but it's a type of bronze so it's going to be heavier than aluminium - I'd assume it sounds less "zingy".

I'm trying to think where I've heard of bell metal being used in guitar construction - I've got a feeling Warwick use it for their frets(?).  :?

[gwEm]

aluminium is generally thought of a being a bright sounding metal.

i have brass and aluminium guitar picks, and the difference is night and day.

i once brought myself an aluminium bicycle bell thinking it would be a lightweight option, but it sucks as a bell - too trebley and not loud at all ;)

[Philly Q]

i once brought myself an aluminium bicycle bell thinking it would be a lightweight option, but it sucks as a bell - too trebley and not loud at all ;)

Yeah, I'd imagine you need a bit of mass in a bell, to get some "depth" to the tone.

Having said that, I've got a wok with a domed aluminium lid which would make a great dinner gong (if I had any use for a dinner gong)   :lol:

Thinking about the difference between a bell and a guitar tailpiece, a bell gets struck once so it needs some weight and resonance, once it starts ringing it needs to stay ringing.  Whereas a tailpiece has a vibrating string attached to it so there's not only the initial attack but the string carries on imparting energy as the note decays.

[Nadz1lla]

FWIW I know from experience that adding anything made of Brass to your tone-making guitar anatomy will give more depth and warmth, which would be to opposite of what you seem to be trying to achieve. Aluminium, as has already been stated above, is a brighter sounding material by far, so if any metal parts need changing at all, I'd go with that over Brass.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I've heard that titanium is by far the best material for building tailpieces , it's also expensive though but supposedly the best for tone. (all this is subjective though) I remember researching this whilst wanting a new block for a floyd rose trem.

[Alex]

could you photo the nut please?

Is it just a normal nut
If so then I recommend the Earvana compensated nut that ESP fitted to the EC1000
Will make a much clearer more in tune guitar.
Also - you could change the tailpiece studs for the tronepros locking ones - will make resonance a bit better
Finally experiment with an aluminium tail-bar in conjunction with the locking studs may as Philly Q said give extra zing
The Gotoh ali tailpiece is good in my experience

We stock all these and fit them on our guitars - hence our recommendation

Here's two pictures of the nut. The grey stuff is pencil (graphite).

I looked up where your shop is, but it's quite a drive from where I live and going twice (to pick up the guitar...). It's also a bit of a time question.