does rosewood have too many overtones for anyone else?

[ii Cybershot ii]

I find that many rosewood guitars simply have too many overtones going on for my ears. The only way I can describe it is like an un-easiness in listening. It's just a little too overwhelming at times.

Anyone else have this experience?

[stephenT]

I'll bite. No. Don't own any rosewood guitars, they don't work for my style.

But a well built rosewood guitar has just the right amount of overtones.

[AMW]

Depends very much on the guitar shape, player, style of music, top wood...

...but we do love us some mahogany.

[Mr. Jelly]

For me the issue with rosewood isn't overtones. I can't say that I hear them. When I play a rosewood guitar it sounds like a blanket over the sound. I'm used to the quicker response of mahogany, the clarity and mid-range.

[Looburst]

You're asking somewhat of a vague question. There are many different kinds of Rosewood and body shapes play a part too. Mahogany is obviously the all time favorite but that doesn't mean all guitar players are the same. Some are better than others.

[silverswirl]

Mahogany gets to the point- the essence.
Rosewood is your High School English teacher going on and on about a subject with flowery language.

[Kerbie]

I'm not sure about "too many," but I certainly prefer the clean, clear sound of Mahogany.

[zmf]

Originally Posted by ii Cybershot ii

It's just a little too overwhelming at times.

But not all the time. That's why it needs to be in the mix, along with mahogany and walnut.

My preference, but I think smaller guitars benefit from rosewood.

[Mark Hatcher]

I don't mind a little rosewood overtone color but, there is a limit. When the overtones drown out the fundamental notes, that is the guitar is telling me it is overbuilt and more suitable for bar fights than making music!

[Goat Mick]

I'm a mahogany guy, but my 710 is rosewood. Mahogany just sounds warmer to me and rosewood has sort of a brittle tone. Maybe it's too clear for my style? It's funny how all of use hear and describe the same things differently.

[Mbroady]

Nice to have the option. Sometimes I love overtones sometimes I don't

[markrj]

I love Rosewood guitars. I have Mahogany and RW in both classical/nylon and steel string.

There's just something about the "lushness" of the tone of the Rosewood guitars, across, and up and down the entire fretboard, that speaks to my ears.

I love my mahogany guitars, but I prefer the tonal properties of Rosewood.

[Desafinado]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

For me the issue with rosewood isn't overtones. I can't say that I hear them. When I play a rosewood guitar it sounds like a blanket over the sound. I'm used to the quicker response of mahogany, the clarity and mid-range.

I've had this experience too. I was all about mahogany up until recently when I played a Martin 000-28 and an HD-28. I find with a crisper attack you can avoid that blanket effect and get the best of both worlds. But your point seems correct to my ears, with the same attack, mahogany will delver the quicker response and wonderful mids.

Always the caveat that every guitar is different and I've heard rosewood guitars that deliver fundamentals like a mahogany, and mahogany guitars that seem kind of dead.

I liked the sustain and overtones of the 000-28 so much I bought one. Spruce over EIR. My other guitars (arch tops and electrics) are mahogany back and sides.

[BrunoBlack]

The ones I have work very nicely in the mix.

I wouldn't make the generalization that material "X" produces effect "Y". There are simply too many variables involved.

I would say that my rosewood Martin 00016R produced more overtones and resonance than my music and my playing style called for. But I also played a rosewood J-45 that had a really nice "fundamental" characteristic. Should have bought it.