Re: Sweet spot vs fingerboard extension
You know, this thread got me thinking, and I had one of those “duh” moments. It suddenly seems to me that, on an electric guitar or any other electric instrument with two pickups, the position of the two pickups gives the player “sul tasto” or “sul ponticello” sounds simply by switching from the neck to the bridge pickup, without having to change your pick location. Am I right?
It kind of seems to me that the “argument” here isn’t really an argument at all. It’s just a difference in styles, and players adapting the instruments to that style. What sounds good to a Classical player steeped in European traditions does not sound good to a Bluegrass or folk player steeped in American traditions. Many American players playing in American folk music styles just prefer the mellow tone you get closer to the neck. Just like many jazz guitar player only use their neck pickup, or own a guitar that only has a neck pickup.
One of the things I like about my Weber Bitterroots is that they have no extensions. I would say that, in my own playing, the highest I ever go is fret 15, and then only occasionally. So that works for me. I would probably never even buy an instrument with an extension. They just get in the way for me and I don’t need them for what I play. But it’s a big, wonderful world of mandolins out there, and I say play whatever instrument floats your boat. That said, I am not a big fan of doing major alterations on instruments. Rather than having to decide whether to remove the extension, or scoop it, and whether to have faux frets or no frets, I like the idea of just buying an instrument that meets your needs as it is.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
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