Sustain is often seen as a desirable quality for electric guitars, allowing notes to ring out, creating expressive and captivating music. However, there are situations where you might want to lower sustain deliberately to achieve specific tonal or playing effects. In this article, we’ll explore why you might want to lower sustain on an electric guitar and how to achieve this effect effectively.
Why Lower Sustain?
While sustain is a sought-after attribute, there are valid reasons for wanting to lower it:
- Note Articulation: Lowering sustain can help create more distinct note articulation, particularly in fast and intricate passages. It prevents notes from bleeding into each other and provides a cleaner sound.
- Vintage Tones: Many vintage guitar tones are known for their limited sustain. Lowering sustain can help replicate the classic sounds of rock, blues, and jazz from the ’50s and ’60s.
- Enhanced Dynamics: Lower sustain can result in a more dynamic playing experience. It allows for greater control over the attack and decay of each note, offering a more expressive range in your playing.
- Reducing Feedback: In high-gain situations, excessive sustain can lead to unwanted feedback. By lowering sustain, you can reduce the risk of feedback and achieve a more controlled sound.
How to Lower Sustain on Electric Guitars
Achieving lower sustain on an electric guitar involves several techniques and adjustments:
- Adjust Pickup Height:
- Lower Pickup Height: One effective way to reduce sustain is by lowering the height of your pickups. Closer pickups capture less string vibration, leading to shorter sustain.
- Experiment: Adjust the pickup height gradually. Start by lowering them slightly and test the results. Find the balance between sustain reduction and preserving tonal quality.
- Use Lower Output Pickups:
- Single-Coil Pickups: Single-coil pickups generally have lower output and sustain compared to humbuckers. Consider using guitars with single-coil pickups for naturally reduced sustain.
- Select Shorter Sustain Bridge Options:
- Hardtail Bridges: Some electric guitars feature hardtail bridges that offer less sustain than tremolo or vibrato bridges. Consider using guitars with hardtail bridges if you want a naturally lower sustain.
- Alter String Materials and Gauges:
- Lighter Gauge Strings: Thinner gauge strings tend to have less sustain than heavier ones. Experiment with lighter string gauges to achieve reduced sustain.
- Non-Sustaining Materials: Consider using materials like flatwound or tapewound strings, which inherently have less sustain than roundwound strings.
- Use a Compressor Pedal:
- Compression Effect: A compressor pedal can be used to limit the dynamic range of your guitar, effectively reducing sustain. Experiment with the compression settings to achieve the desired effect.
- Control Your Playing Technique:
- Palm Muting: Utilize palm muting to dampen the strings, reducing sustain and creating a percussive effect.
- Shorter Decay: Practice playing notes with shorter decay by lifting your fretting fingers immediately after the note is played.
- Tone Knob and Volume Control:
- Roll Off High Frequencies: Lowering the tone knob on your guitar or rolling back the volume slightly can reduce the brightness and sustain of your tone.
- Use a Noise Gate:
- Noise Suppression: A noise gate pedal can help eliminate unwanted sustain and feedback by automatically cutting off the signal when it falls below a certain threshold.
- Experiment with Effects:
- Reverb and Delay: Reduce sustain by using reverb and delay effects with shorter decay times. This can create a more controlled sound.
Lowering sustain on an electric guitar can be a valuable technique to achieve specific tonal and playing effects. Whether you’re aiming for vintage tones, improved note articulation, or reduced feedback, these adjustments and techniques can help you tailor your guitar’s sustain to your musical preferences. Remember that achieving the perfect balance between sustain and articulation requires experimentation and an understanding of how each adjustment affects your overall tone.
