"Ask Bud!"
Question:
Does it make a difference to your guitar's tone if you use aluminum or brass rollers at the keyhead?
Answer:
Yes, it does. Your guitar will sound different depending on the material used in the rollers. Generally, the harder the metal used in the rollers, the brighter (more treble) your guitar will sound. The following metals are listed in increasing order of hardness:
- Aluminum;
- Brass;
- Bronze; and
- Stainless steel.
So, all other design criteria being equal, stainless steel would typically produce the most treble or brightest sound. And aluminum would typically produce the mellowest sound.
Other factors are also important and the choice of which metal to use for rollers is a tradeoff between longevity and durability, on the one hand, and optimization of sound, on the other hand. These types of tradeoffs are inherent in all stages of design. Typically, such tradeoffs include such things as:
- Price;
- Manufacturability;
- Availability;
- Component life;
- Ease of maintenance;
- Playability; etc.
Guitar manufacturers usually try to optimize sound and playability. And, finally, the optimum sound for you will depend on your technique, as well as the construction, design and materials used in your guitar. As I said in a previous column, most all of your sound comes from your technique. Practice, practice, practice!
Back to Introduction to "Ask Bud!"
Back to Carter Steel Guitars' Home Page
We welcome your feedback about our Site via Email at psgbuilder@steelguitar.com