what makes a twanger, twanger modification

[will]

I want to slightly modify a twanger, but in deciding this, it turns out there isn't really a clear definition of a twanger as a starting point. You see terms like chickn pickn, spank and shimmering in comments, but it doesn't seem to have a standard set-up/set of features. Here is my hypothesis, informed mostly from Google research and discussion with older players, so just a starting point that might be grossly wrong:
A twanger in my mind is Don Rich's guitar(Buck Owens guitar player of course), thin strings, thin frets, alnico 5 pickups. However, from here I'm stuck. Rich used an alder body as it was the standard in 60s teles, but the ash bodies used by Waylon Jennings are also described as the classic twangers. Also, the alnico 3 pickups of the 50s, get the same 'for classic twang' kudo as the 60 alnico 5s.
This may be a subjective thing? The first time I emailed Chris about whether a guitar for sale was 'a twanger' he said it needed a set of Lollar Vintages to get there, so the Rice's have an idea of what makes a twanger to them. What makes a tele a twanger to you, and what characteristics (wood type, pickups, strings) create that effect?

[will]

more specifically to the guitar I'm building:
Guitar 040 has 6105 size frets and looks like a model twanger. I am coming from a strat that had huge frets. Reading other tele threads, you see comments that the larger frets decrease the 'twang' factor. If you use larger frets than the 6105, does it tend to reduce the twang quality of the guitar?

thanks,
Will

[Rich]

I'll take a stab at this, but please understand that it is entirely subjective.. I haven't found bigger frets to impede twang, per se. It is more a combination of woods, pickups, and scale length- along with technique. Generally speaking, the maple boards tend to lend themselves to twang, as does the longer "Fender" 25.5" scale length. In most cases, higher output pickups will decrease the twang factor, as well. Humbuckers usually won't twang as well as a moderate to low output single coil pickup. Bigger frets have their own idiosyncracies, and require a different touch. The biggest thing I run into with bigger frets is a tendency to squeeze chords sharp (I have strong hands), and to have the strings get a little zing (fret sizzle) when I start playing too hard. Ash is a bit livelier than alder, spikier in tone. Alder tends to be a very consistent tone, where the ash will deliver a more boisterous tone. Both will twang nicely, in combination with the other factors. The thing is, one or the other is only a part of the equation. All the factors must work together in order to produce a specific response. Technique plays a huge part, as well. Obviously, I don't get a lot of twang out of my Les Pauls, but they have too many things missing from the twang formula. I think the weight of the body has an effect, as well.. lighter usually gives more twang (to a point). Again, to try to fully answer this question would fill volumes- but hopefully this little post will shed some light on the subject...

[badams]

Wood used on an electric guitar makes no difference in its ability to twang. That is no difference unless you're talking about comparing hardwood or soft. This opinion wasnt formed from things I've read but from building a bunch of guitars from a bunch of different type hardwoods. I'd say that Twang comes from playing technique more than anything else. I'd imagine a Teles bridge and bridge pickup could play a part in it but I've built electrics without those two things on them and the twanged along with the best of them. Hell. You can get a humbucker to twang if you pop the strings right

[Rich]

Jul 8, 2008 23:58:12 GMT -6 badams said:

Wood used on an electric guitar makes no difference in its ability to twang. That is no difference unless you're talking about comparing hardwood or soft. This opinion wasnt formed from things I've read but from building a bunch of guitars from a bunch of different type hardwoods. I'd say that Twang comes from playing technique more than anything else. I'd imagine a Teles bridge and bridge pickup could play a part in it but I've built electrics without those two things on them and the twanged along with the best of them. Hell. You can get a humbucker to twang if you pop the strings right

I couldn't agree more. Technique is the biggest part-