Did your Les Paul need to break-in?

[Standard Magic]

Question is for those that bought a Custom Shop Les Paul brand new (not second hand). Was there a break in period? If so, how long?

 

[swaffy101]

Break in, no. Maybe you are referring to set up for your style of playing? I personally like the factory set up. Only thing I may adjust the neck due to climate changes.

 

[GlassSnuff]

My '75 LPC finally bloomed in the early 2000s. It was worth the wait.

 

[gitmohair]

For me, all new guitars take a bit of time to settle down/run in. Give it a few months before you start over-tinkering with it. Also gives you time to get used to it and what you do/don't like about it.

 

[poor man's burst]

Do you mean the time it takes you to get used to the guitar and learn how to make it sound the way you like?

 

[gitmohair]

Well that's part of it, but also the time it takes what was a collection of lumps of wood to get used to being a guitar and live in your environment with you playing it. It does make a difference, at least I think it does. YMMV.

 

[jb_abides]

What do you consider "Break-In"?

-- Assuming your wood has been well dried prior to construction... and glued properly, there should be no significant change.

-- Neck binding edge, can be purposely 'rolled' ... or will wear over time with use. This is the primary aspect when one considers 'Break-In'

-- Sticky nitro hardens over time, some folks get hung up on the back of the neck, use talcum. General hardening of guitar overall may help the tone, some claim. To me, this is natural maturation, not 'Break-In'.

-- Pickups: magnetics and windings age, therefore their behavior may alter the tone over time. More natural maturation, not 'Break-In'.

-- Nut: of course make sure the nut is cut well, doesn't grab the string -- clearly part of 'Set-up' not 'Break-In'.

-- Bridge hardware: just make sure the saddle notches are notched well -- considered part of 'Set-up' -- that said, metal edges on the bridge edge itself wear slightly over time, thereby softening to the touch under your flesh, which could be considered an aspect of 'Break-In'.

 

[c_wester]

Adjust the neck, tighten the screws, fix the slots.
And if needed change pots and pickups.

Thats my break in period.

 

[Standard Magic]

Break-in = Purely sound, tone, resonance related.

 

[Pj32Sr]

Playing through the first set of strings, 2 months or so. Change strings and adjust to needs.

 

[1allspub]

Not sure if it’s the guitar “breaking in” or the player just getting to know the guitar.

 

[gitmohair]

Not sure if it’s the guitar “breaking in” or the player just getting to know the guitar.

Bit of both I suspect.

 

[bluesky636]

I believe a guitar requires a break in period as much as I believe a slab of wood breathes.

Zip.

 

[el84ster]

I do think there is a break in period with guitars. And I think it continues through the life of the guitar. Break in/maturation I think is the same thing.
We do know as wood resonates it’s gets more used to it and the cells alighn themselves along these patters of resonance. I notice a difference. 6 months to a year I usually notice something, 5 years in, 10 years in they tend to become more responsive. Been playing for 35 yrs for what it’s worth.

 

[bluesky636]

I do think there is a break in period with guitars. And I think it continues through the life of the guitar. Break in/maturation I think is the same thing.
We do know as wood resonates it’s gets more used to it and the cells alighn themselves along these patters of resonance. I notice a difference. 6 months to a year I usually notice something, 5 years in, 10 years in they tend to become more responsive. Been playing for 35 yrs for what it’s worth.

The wood that makes up a guitar body was cut, dried and painted over.

Who is this "we" you speak of?

Please explain, providing proven evidence, that "We do know as wood resonates it’s gets more used to it and the cells alighn themselves along these patters of resonance."

Probably the most ridiculous claim I have ever heard.

 

[Standard Magic]

Break in/maturation I think is the same thing.

That brings up an interesting idea. On one hand you could say the breaking-in is simply the guitar getting older. However, most report there is a relatively short time frame, 6 months perhaps, where the guitar substantially comes more alive.

Perhaps there's an initial jump in how the guitar "aligns" itself with the frequencies of music, then there's a gradual improvement over many years. If that is the case, then the break-in period and aging are two separate things. One issue I have with this is that new guitars that are made with old wood still need a break-in period. Or do they?

 

[bluesky636]

That brings up an interesting idea. On one hand you could say the breaking-in is simply the guitar getting older. However, most report there is a relatively short time frame, 6 months perhaps, where the guitar substantially comes more alive.

Perhaps there's an initial jump in how the guitar "aligns" itself with the frequencies of music, then there's a gradual improvement over many years. If that is the case, then the break-in period and aging are two separate things. One issue I have with this is that new guitars that are made with old wood still need a break-in period. Or do they?

Please explain how a piece of dead wood "aligns" with anything?

This is more ridiculous than "tone wood" discussions.

 

[el84ster]

There’s extensive research on this topic with regards to stringed classical instruments. I think some of this applies to solid body electrics. The info is out there, better to look it up than try to explain it all here.

 

[el84ster]

There’s extensive research on this topic with regards to stringed classical instruments. I think some of this applies to solid body electrics. The info is out there, better to look it up than try to explain it all here.

 

[el84ster]

Here’s a little bit of the info science tells us about wooden instruments being played over time:

1. **Wood Cell Structure Changes**
- **Compression and Deformation:** As a guitar is played, the vibration of the strings causes microscopic compressions and deformations in the wood fibers. These micro-vibrations can slightly compress the cell walls and alter their structure, making the wood more flexible and responsive over time.
- **Micro-fractures:** Over time, repeated vibrations can lead to the development of microscopic fractures within the wood. These fractures are generally too small to weaken the wood significantly but can help to "open up" the sound by allowing the wood to resonate more freely.

2. **Resin and Sap Redistribution**
- **Crystallization of Resins:** In some types of wood, resins or sap within the cellular structure can slowly crystallize and redistribute over time as the guitar is played. This crystallization can stiffen the wood slightly, leading to a more focused tone.
- **Drying of Natural Resins:** As the wood ages, the natural resins within it continue to dry out. This can make the wood lighter and less dampened, improving its ability to resonate.

3. **Cellulose and Lignin Degradation**
- **Slow Degradation of Cellulose and Lignin:** The primary components of wood are cellulose and lignin, and they slowly break down over time due to environmental exposure and mechanical stress from playing. This slow degradation can affect the density and flexibility of the wood, contributing to a richer and more complex tone.

4. **Oxidation and Aging**
- **Oxidation of Wood and Finishes:** The wood and any finish on it can oxidize over time, leading to subtle changes in the guitar's tonal characteristics. This oxidation can slightly harden the outer layers of wood, which may alter the vibration characteristics.