How to increase a guitar's treble response?

[Jon S.]

I have an guitar that's otherwise great but is weak on the high end. It currently has a Tusq nut, bridge, and (I believe) pins.

What can I do to enhance its treble response (apart from the obvious string change)? E.g., replace the Tusq parts with bone? Anything further?

Yes, I understand that such changes won't alter the guitar's fundamental characteristics. Any impacts would be on the margins. But I think that will be enough to get the guitar where I need it.

BTW, the guitar in question is a Godin A6 Ultra Extreme Koa, if that's helpful to know when responding.

Thanks so much for your input!

[BillyH]

Can you move the pickup closer on the treble side?

[Jon S.]

Originally Posted by BillyH

Can you move the pickup closer on the treble side?

Definitely not! Though that's not the issue anyway - I'm more concerned with its tone unplugged and through the piezo on the bridge.

[Mbroady]

What type of strings do you have on the guitar?
Looks like acoustic strings, yes, not electric?

If yes, 80/20s might give you a brighter sound then phosphor bronze.

On the margins: ……brass pegs, brass bridge

Technique: strum/pick closer to the bridge

With that said, it’s not a guitar that’s made for its acoustic (sonic) value.
And, (assuming the built in EQ works with both bridge and neck pick up) the EQ could give you all the treble (or less bass) that one could want, plugged in

[Jon S.]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

What type of strings do you have on the guitar?
Looks like acoustic strings, yes, not electric?

If yes, 80/20s might give you a brighter sound then phosphor bronze.

On the margins: ……brass pegs, brass bridge

Technique: strum/pick closer to the bridge

With that said, it’s not a guitar that’s made for its acoustic (sonic) value.
And, (assuming the built in EQ works with both bridge and neck pick up) the EQ could give you all the treble (or less bass) that one could want, plugged in

All well put, thanks.

It came to me from the dealer with electric guitar strings on it that are still there. They feel like 10's. The guitar was returned within week or so by its original purchaser. I see from the Godin website that it shipped from Godin with EDIT! I was initially wrong, they do ship with 10's so I assume the strings I have are the original from the factory.

So, I see now the original purchaser (or the store) had put on fresh strings of a lower gauge. This being said, I like the setup the guitar's got now.

And BTW, picking closer to the bridge (1st thing I tried as it's obvious and free) doesn't significantly enhance the treble. This surprised me, it's atypical. So, my #1 suspect for change remains the bridge and pins - perhaps they're absorbing at least some of the higher frequencies.

[Mandobart]

Since treble range is mostly from the B and high E strings, which are normally plain steel, which in reality is very much the same across all the brands of strings....changing the type or alloy of your strings is not likely to do anything.

Changing string gage, however, to heavier B and E strings will give you better treble response.

Also picking closer to the neck and farther from the bridge helps. Pick shape, thickness, material all change the tone too.

[Alan Carruth]

The added mass of the hardwood top works against treble response acoustically, and there's not a lot you can do about that.

[Jon S.]

Originally Posted by Alan Carruth

The added mass of the hardwood top works against treble response acoustically, and there's not a lot you can do about that.

Yes, but I’m asking not about a lot, but about what little I can do.

[LFL Steve]

do you mean increasing the sound of the treble strings, or do you mean the overall trebleness of all the strings/whole instrument?

[runamuck]

I don't believe there's anything you can do to change the timbre of that guitar unplugged.

[Alan Carruth]

Perhaps I should have said there aren't very many choices open to you to mitigate the effect of a heavy top.

[RogerHaggstrom]

A bone saddle and nut will always give you more trebles compared with plastic ones. I really hate to say this since I don't like them, but Elixir strings adds trebles.

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Alan Carruth

Perhaps I should have said there aren't very many choices open to you to mitigate the effect of a heavy top.

The top is a veneer on top of solid cedar. I gigged with one for a year. Strings will make all the difference.

[docwatsonfan]

I had weak trebles on one of my acoustics


the action looked a bit low

a shim under the saddle helped alot... ymmv

[Jon S.]

Thanks, y'all. I'm following up on a few ideas now. They include Elixir Nanoweb 80-20 strings, a couple of different picks, and brass bridge pins. After I receive and am able to try them, I'll return to report my findings. If these don't get me where I want to be, I may spring for a replacement bone saddle. Though I'm feeling optimistic they will. The guitar is almost where I need it to be now (were it not, I'd simply sell it). I'm looking merely to add a bit of sparkle on the margins.