All Discussions Tagged 'Carbon' - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T07:57:31Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=Carbon&feed=yes&xn_auth=noNewbie, curious about carbon fibertag:fretsnet.ning.com,2018-12-19:2177249:Topic:1820862018-12-19T22:59:22.834ZDannyhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Danny843
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>First post here, but I've been reading hundreds of pages for years! I have yet to attempt any more than spot fretwork on cheap guitars, pickup installs, and saddles/setups., but maybe someday...</p>
<p>To my question - with CF guitars having been produced for 20-ish years now, are there issues that potential purchasers should be aware of? Let's leave tone opinions aside, if possible! As a community of repair folks, y'all have probably seen a thorough sampling of what can go…</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>First post here, but I've been reading hundreds of pages for years! I have yet to attempt any more than spot fretwork on cheap guitars, pickup installs, and saddles/setups., but maybe someday...</p>
<p>To my question - with CF guitars having been produced for 20-ish years now, are there issues that potential purchasers should be aware of? Let's leave tone opinions aside, if possible! As a community of repair folks, y'all have probably seen a thorough sampling of what can go wrong with these things. </p>
<p>I know that carbon fiber guitars are a totally different animal and are in all likelihood "un-repairable" in the event of serious damage. That's OK with me, at least for the purpose of this discussion. I'm more concerned with fatal flaws in their designs or construction. Marketing says they are virtually indestructible (barring running over it with your car, as seen on AGF). Marketing has been known to lie!</p>
<p>For example, are they difficult or impossible to refret? There is a variety of fingerboard materials used, from carbon fiber to more typical Richlite-type stuff. Do necks creep over time? Some manufacturers (e.g. Composite Acoustics) don't use truss rods, claiming the necks never need adjustment...of that I'm skeptical to say the least. </p>
<p>Any thoughts are appreciated...including "you're insane!" if applicable.</p>
<p></p>
<p>A little background: I'm considering replacing my Taylor 510 (engelmann/mahogany) with a CF guitar. I bought it new 15 years ago after a long search for my first good guitar, and have loved it. But - I'm tired of humidifying it in Arizona, being afraid of my kids breaking it, having to carefully plan out taking it out anywhere (and bringing it into restaurants cause it can't stay in the car), et cetera. </p>
<p>I was able to play a few Rainsong models locally and was pleasantly surprised. Their "unidirectional" low-end models actually sounded pretty good to my ear, and I think I could be happy with one. Plus, I could sell the Taylor and come out about even cost-wise.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rainsong.com/concert-hybrid/chom.html">http://www.rainsong.com/concert-hybrid/chom.html</a></p>
<p>But really, I'm swooning over the Emerald X20. Somebody restrain me, before I order it and have to explain it to my wife.</p>
<p><a href="https://emeraldguitars.com/product/x20-amber-ele-4836/?v=7516fd43adaa">https://emeraldguitars.com/product/x20-amber-ele-4836/?v=7516fd43adaa</a></p>
<p><a href="https://emeraldguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/X20-R-Ebony-rep.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://emeraldguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/X20-R-Ebony-rep.jpg" class="align-full"/></a></p> Sources for carbon-fiber neck re-inforcement?tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2010-07-19:2177249:Topic:326782010-07-19T13:23:01.131ZSTGuitarworkshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/STGuitarworks
<p>Over the last few days I have been building 6 necks for a next batch of electrics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I purchased 4 of Stewmac's #4401 carbon fiber re-rods a while back and more recently purchased 8 of LMI's GR4 carbon fiber re-rods.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4401 vs. GR4 consumer report:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The GR4s were not of consistent thickness. Out of the 8 GR4s 5 were between 0.133" and 0.138" thick which meant sanding them (very dirty job, toxic without a mask, and very easy to get nasty slivers). My…</p>
<p>Over the last few days I have been building 6 necks for a next batch of electrics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I purchased 4 of Stewmac's #4401 carbon fiber re-rods a while back and more recently purchased 8 of LMI's GR4 carbon fiber re-rods.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4401 vs. GR4 consumer report:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The GR4s were not of consistent thickness. Out of the 8 GR4s 5 were between 0.133" and 0.138" thick which meant sanding them (very dirty job, toxic without a mask, and very easy to get nasty slivers). My main concern was that the GR4 were all slightly warped along the plane that would produce (unwanted) relief or back-bow betweeen 0.004" and 0.016".</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 4401s were all consistent length, thickness, were not warped, the downside being they're slightly more expensive (a quantity of 8 at $12.59 per vs. the GR4 at $10.30 per which can add up).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I mentioned these issues to LMI's customer service dept in an email. I received a reply stating LMI considers a variance of 5 thousandths to be well within acceptable tolerances for this material and typically do not get complaints about it. The (unwanted) relief issue was not addressed and I think .138" is more like .013" variance (doesnt fit the .125" channel).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Are there alternate sources for carbon fiber reinforcement rods out there?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sean<br/></p>