Adirondack compromise sound?

[manyguitars]

To my ear, a D18 has a crisper/clearer sound than a D 28.
And it is hard to give that up, once you've become
accustomed to it. I have also found a cedar top to
have a crisper sound than Sitka spruce. Now
admittedly, this could be all in my imagination.
From what I've read, I have started to wonder if
the Adirondack spruce top creates a sound/feel
somewhere between a regular D18 and a D28.
And by that I mean some of the clarity of the D 18
but also some of the fullness of the D-28.
Comments?

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by manyguitars

I have also found a cedar top to
have a crisper sound than Sitka spruce.?

Total opposite results from my experiences. So all bets
off other than to say to play before you pay.

[martingitdave]

To my ears the Adirondack top will add volume, perhaps less sustain, more mid range. However one of my Adi tops is very scooped in the mid range. It all depends on the specific top on the specific guitar. But, usually, you can count on them being louder.

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Total opposite results from my experiences. So all bets
off other than to say to play before you pay.

me too. I find cedar to be much "softer" than spruce, in general. But there are always the exceptions.

I also wonder if you're hearing Mahogany vs. Rosewood. Because what you state is the exact difference I perceive between those 2 tonewoods.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by manyguitars

To my ear, a D18 has a crisper/clearer sound than a D 28.
And it is hard to give that up, once you've become
accustomed to it.

I think you're hearing mahogany vs. rosewood.

Originally Posted by manyguitars

I have also found a cedar top to
have a crisper sound than Sitka spruce. Now
admittedly, this could be all in my imagination.

Generally speaking, cedar as warmer, sometimes with murkier lows. I wouldn't usually think of it as "crisper" than Sitka.

Originally Posted by manyguitars

From what I've read, I have started to wonder if
the Adirondack spruce top creates a sound/feel
somewhere between a regular D18 and a D28.
And by that I mean some of the clarity of the D 18
but also some of the fullness of the D-28.
Comments?

Since D18 nor D28 are Sitka tops, an Adirondack guitar wouldn't sound like either one, and the clarity / fullness would be driven more by the bracing, builder, body size, body tonewood, etc. Adirondack is often characterized by more volume, headroom, and (sometimes) more clarity. But newer guitars can sound a little cold, compared to a comparable Sitka model.

[Andy Howell]

Yep, the difference between mahogany and rosewood I think. I always prefer spruce for my guitars simply because it is crisper, sharper. But a good dear top for country blues or folk styles can give a lovely and warm sound.

Mahogany often is easier tor record than rosewood as it has a more fundamental tone and doesn't have quite the overtones in it. That doesn't make it an inferior wood but a different one. It sounds to me this would account for most of the differences between an 18 and a 28.

[manyguitars]

thanks for replying Rick;
I just listed my D-35 because it just doesn't
stand up to my Yamakis in terms of clarity
and volume. Hence... my description as
"soft". That said, I am certainly not giving
up and will continue to watch for another
D28 or D35.

[manyguitars]

Hi Pura;
Thanks for the reply.
If you mean " the hog back and sides" creates more clarity than
the "rosewood back and side"...maybe. It is food for thought and
more experimenting. I have every combination one could think of
(expect I don't believe I have any Brazilian but who knows. My
experience with rosewoods is that they vary greatly. Some are
stunningly beautiful. Others, not so much.
One thing I may, admittedly be mistaken about is the Sitka.
Perhaps this 2011 D35 is a different spruce? Any insight into
this. I have an opportunity to swap for a Marquis but I am
not fond of the soft V. Doug