Do Carbon Fiber Guitars "Open Up"?

dgaemc2 · #1 09-30-2015, 10:32 PM

Hi folks,

I know that my question might be silly, but thought I'd ask anyway.

My intuition to my question in the thread is "No, a carbon fiber guitar will not change in sound over time assuming the same strings, person playing, etc. because it is made of CF". That said, I have never owned or even played a guitar made exclusively of CF so would like to hear from people that do own them over time.

I will say that my friend's ovation guitar has definitely opened up in time over the past few years (in a very good way), but it is made of a composite body with a wood top....so that is understandable to me.

I did a search for a similar topic on this forum and came up empty....so I do apologize if it has already been discussed. I do look forward to hearing responses from long term CF guitar owners or anybody else in the know.

Just curious, and thanks!

jdinco · #2 09-30-2015, 11:06 PM

I've never noted any of my CF guitars changing in tone over time. I hope you can play one sometime soon....they are different, but special.

ChunkyB · #3 10-01-2015, 07:34 AM

I would say no. But I'd also say they don't really need to. I've never had a more responsive guitar than my Shorty, especially for how small it is. It's louder than most guitars I've played, and it's very responsive to playing dynamics.

steelvibe · #4 10-01-2015, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChunkyB

I would say no. But I'd also say they don't really need to. I've never had a more responsive guitar than my Shorty, especially for how small it is. It's louder than most guitars I've played, and it's very responsive to playing dynamics.

+1

I can't say definitely, but the answer is no. 😂

The Shorty is wonderfully responsive, and while I haven't played a ton of vintage wood, I'm impressed with my RainSong right out of the box.

Earl49 · #5 10-01-2015, 08:36 AM

Sure they'll open up - with 6000 years of play time, give or take

Had my Rainsong WS-1000 for probably 15 years now, and don't notice any difference. But it was fine to start with, which is why I bought it.

Captain Jim · #6 10-01-2015, 08:53 AM

I have other wood guitars, so I do understand the question. That said, my Shorty "opens up," when I dig in and turn up the volume!

dgaemc2 · #7 10-02-2015, 03:11 PM

Thanks for the confirmation folks....

teleamp · #8 10-02-2015, 04:27 PM

Sure it will, if the impact is severe enough.

ChunkyB · #9 10-03-2015, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleamp

Sure it will, if the impact is severe enough.

Haha, even then, I think it would be tough to "open them up" very much.

SpruceTop · #10 10-03-2015, 06:51 PM

Grasshopper: Can the carbon fiber in a carbon-fiber guitar learn to sing together as do the woods that spent their lives as trees learn to sing together as a guitar?

dgaemc2 · #11 10-04-2015, 07:19 AM

Lol!
I realized it was a "silly question" because the responses were as I would have expected. I have now confirmed that my recently acquired RS sounds fantastic from the get go and will for many years to come!

SpruceTop · #12 10-04-2015, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgaemc2

Lol!
I realized it was a "silly question" because the responses were as I would have expected. I have now confirmed that my recently acquired RS sounds fantastic from the get go and will for many years to come!

It wasn't a silly question and I, too, have thought about the possibility of carbon-fiber guitars opening-up after years of play. The important thing is that your new RainSong is giving you enjoyment now, and it is, and that it will continue to do so, and it will, and it'll do that while being a pretty much carefree instrument. Play On!

ChunkyB · #13 10-04-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgaemc2

Lol!
I realized it was a "silly question" because the responses were as I would have expected. I have now confirmed that my recently acquired RS sounds fantastic from the get go and will for many years to come!

I don't think it's a silly question. In fact, I think manufacturers are just learning a lot of things about how guitars open up. From what I know, the main thing that changes with wood over years is that the sap inside of the wood crystalizes. Torrefied wood is a process to try and mimic some of this aging process on new guitars.

But, yes, since the carbon fibers are basically impregnated with resin/plastic, I doubt they'll change at all over time. But who knows. CF guitars are so young. It will be interesting to see how they hold up and change over 30+ years of playing.

steelvibe · #14 10-04-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChunkyB

But who knows. CF guitars are so young. It will be interesting to see how they hold up and change over 30+ years of playing.

30+ years of playing a guitar that will never have warping issues, cracks, and neck or bridge resets!

ChunkyB · #15 10-04-2015, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChunkyB

But who knows. CF guitars are so young. It will be interesting to see how they hold up and change over 30+ years of playing.

30+ years of playing a guitar that will never have warping issues, cracks, and neck or bridge resets!

That's what I'm looking forward to