Hi there, I have just taken possession of a fantastic hand made guitar by one of the worlds best (lucky me) but, I can't get over the feeling that it sounds a little new. Of course, it is new but made from great aged woods etc. It could simply be phycological, comparing it to my older guitar but maybe, just maybe there is a set up tweek I can make or adjustment. The sound I'm getting is very clear but a little 'tinny' with almost no bass. My other guitar has a richer fuller sound. I realise that every guitar is different and there a million individual factors involved but the groups expert advise would be most welcome. Maybe I just have to wait 20 years !!
BTW has anyone else had this dilemma?
Thanks
Comments
After switching gears and playing my Gibson flat top for a while, my GJ guitar is taking some getting used to (but I love it). As bright as these guitars tend to be, I prefer a fuller, mellow tone, without the plinkity highs you sometimes encounter. I would experiment with heavier strings (going to 11's if you use 10's), or perhaps different brands (I think Stochelo uses silk & steel), using a rounded edge pick (I use Grisman Dawgs...cheap and mellow...designed to reduce metallic sound). Maybe raise the action (it helped mine a lot)...allows you to dig in on the notes without buzzing. I would also experiment with my vibrato to add sustain (instead of just hitting the note without putting your mark (or funk) on it. Picking closer to the neck softens the tone and is considered the sweet spot by a lot of archtop players. Finally I would just play the heck out of it, experiment and have fun. Trust your own ears and intuition. All my guitars have opened up a lot, particularly in the first year. I always keep one out and play it several hours a day whether praticing, or just noodling while I watch TV.
Mi dos centavos.
Swang on,
I can only imagine you spent I'm gonna guess from your description $3000.00 plus for your guitar.
You've probably passed the return limit, so what to do?
Steveareno's post about picks, sweet stops, and playing a couple of hours a day should help.
Do you have that kind of time? Maybe , maybe not. Anyway to the point I'd suggest I picked up a ToneRite Guitar 3G
It's kinda like a guitar vibrator, this will probably stir up some, Ah it's just woo woo folks. More to the point you can get one with a 30 day return policy if you're not happy. I have nothing to do with the seller other then I've been using one for a little over a month and since I didn't return it it's worked for me. You can google it and see the mixed reviews many of who haven't actually tried one. However there are some testimonies from builders and artist to attest to their findings. Anyway for a $150.00 you could notice an improvement in days , and weeks rather then 20 years. If it don't work send it back.
Google it yourself, if anyone else has used one chime in, if there'e an easier, cheaper way lets hear it.
pick on
pickitjohn
So try letting your strings get old, and see what it does for the sound. Maybe that's not the answer for your guitar, but it's the cheapest and easiest thing to try. But you will have to wait 20+ years to really get that old guitar sound. There's just no escaping that, unless you get one of the fortunate few that sound old out of the box.
Here's a little guitar inspection you can do.
How is the adjustment of your bridge feet to the top of the guitar, Can you see any space in where the two meet? It should be a perfect fit. If not,You may need to put a sand paper on the guitar top and shape the bridge feet to adjust to the curve of the guitar top. If you think about it that's where the vibration of the strings get to the soundbox.
Josh Hegg, Michael's luthier has a very helpful post. "Fitting your Bridge"
here is the link if that may be the problem.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1200
Good Luck
pick on
pickitjohn
Don't know how long you've been at this, but transition from any other type of guitar is a big step. I thought of it as a foreign - European sound. Though now, the Martin - Taylor etc..... sound sounds odd
So why do we tend to be drawn to the sound of Djangos guitar instantly? Don't know that either.
I love them, but a really good one is a bit hard to find.
I love new strings and the brightness they give.
Are you new to playing a gj guitar?
Swang on,
Thanks again to everyone.