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Author
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Topic: What, exactly, IS “string separation?”
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David Mason
Member From: Cambridge, MD, USA
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posted 13 May 2005 10:20 AM
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I hear this term used to describe sounds coming out of amplifiers, pickups and guitars, but I don’t understand what it means. I mean, if they meant to say “too much lower midrange causes muddiness and this pickup doesn’t do that” isn’t that what they’d say? What else is there in the sound of an instrument besides a range of frequencies, including upper harmonics, some of which are absorbed more than others, and various types of tonal distortion? If they mean that vibrations from one string shouldn’t affect the vibrations of another, wouldn’t you achieve the best “string separation” with a felt bridge on a foam rubber guitar? Does this really exist, or is it just another term manufacturers and their shills at guitar magazines trot out when they run out of things to say besides “buy my product now?” |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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posted 13 May 2005 11:52 AM
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I see it as the differentiation between notes of a chord as heard through different set ups.Personally I like to make things BLEND together into one total tone...
but that's just me. Yet many say they love their Truetones, because of the great string separation. Well I love my TT too. |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 13 May 2005 06:06 PM
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To me, it's each frequency being equally voiced, so that no one frequency predominates in the sound. Steels are characteristically "mid-rangey" in their sound, so string separation is being able to, by physical design or electronic means, make the bass and highs equally as apparent in texture and volume. |
Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 14 May 2005 03:08 AM
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I'll have to agree with Donny, it's hearing all the strings equally. When I went from Lawrence 705's to 710's the thing I noticed was more "clarity" or "string separation". It didn't change the tone of the guitar just the clarity or "separation". |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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posted 14 May 2005 03:22 AM
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Well string balancing would seem a more accurate phrase in that case. |
Charlie McDonald
Member From: Lubbock, Texas, USA
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posted 14 May 2005 06:53 AM
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I agree, Donald.
String separation is usually used to describe the unwinding of coils from the core, which effects string voicing. |
Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 14 May 2005 08:06 AM
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We are talking about "string separation" in relation to sound/tone, not a physical problem with the actual strings or brands of strings. |
Michael Johnstone
Member From: Sylmar,Ca. USA
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posted 14 May 2005 08:09 AM
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There used to be a phrase in the ads for Evans amps along the lines of "Small incremental changes within chords stand out with clarity" or something to that effect. And I always thought that was kind of a good description of what some might call string seperation. A lot of that sort of balance is due to right hand technique of course and you can't buy that - you have to grow it. -MJ- |
Randy Beavers
Member From: Lebanon,TN 37090
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posted 14 May 2005 08:22 AM
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For me, string separation means being able to play a 4 note chord with close harmonies, and being able to distinctly hear all 4 notes. Some times the notes seem to run together to where only the highest note stands out. |
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