Too many overtones

[rollypolly]

I’m not a fan of a lot of overtones so yes there can be too many. My H&D has the most but with monels it’s tolerable.

[Bob Womack]

Just like microphones... it depends.

Bob

[zuzu]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Just like microphones... it depends.

Bob

This here.

[jaymarsch]

Another zombie thread!
The trick to playing a guitar with lots of overtones is to learn to control them. I have one cedar/EIR long scale OO that has loads of sustain and excels at Celtic tunes. I very seldom do strumming on it.
If you are playing a ragtime tune, lots of overtones will muddy up the works. Depends on the guitar, the player, and the genre of music.
Best,
Jayne

[hamburg325]

I've owned a few--mainly cedar topped--that gave me an overtone headache.
Happened no matter what picks, strings, or attack I was using.

And guitars are supposed to be our escape from headaches.

[tippy5]

I have owned 7 Goodalls and played 25 back in the 90's thru 2010 at McCabes. I find the sitka IR models and Cedar IR models can be a bit dense in the low mids. That is muddy at full dig in.

The models that stayed the longest were the two Redwood IR's that I regrettable sold. The remaining two, the macassar and koa backed ones - I find to have more clarity in the lows.

The Koa has a sweet clarity on the lows. And super FAT highs. This gives it a super fun to play, richness... a sweet tone.

The Standard Englemann / Ebony guitar has low overtones but so much depth and clarity. It reminds me, and approximates, some of the amazing guitars I want to buy on Dream Guitars for 3 times the price.

I'm 68 next month. I am not sure I'll ever get to the upper ownership level. I am just gratified once my house was paid off 15 years ago that I went on my major GAS acquisition (and research) period while it was more affordable.

[mercy]

I love the clash of overtones/sustain. For me there is no such thing as too much.

[mercy]

so capoing 2 shortens the scale a lot, but what is it? I cant imagine playing a guitar that short.

[Bluenose]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Another zombie thread!
The trick to playing a guitar with lots of overtones is to learn to control them. I have one cedar/EIR long scale OO that has loads of sustain and excels at Celtic tunes. I very seldom do strumming on it.
If you are playing a ragtime tune, lots of overtones will muddy up the works. Depends on the guitar, the player, and the genre of music.
Best,
Jayne

This makes a lot of sense to me. Ry Cooder fingerpicks old timey things on a Martin D28 and he makes it work because damping is a big part of his technique. IMO,YMMV and so on

[Br1ck]

If you record at all, you soon realize why most recording studios have a D 18 laying around. You need a lot of space to use overtones to your advantage. When you add different elements, you fill space very quickly.

[LAPlayer]

For me no. You (the player) is in control of the instrument and its dynamics. I would rather play a guitar that's "too rich" than one that is too dry. I can control the overtones but would have a tougher time creating more when they aren't there.

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

For me no. You (the player) is in control of the instrument and its dynamics. I would rather play a guitar that's "too rich" than one that is too dry. I can control the overtones but would have a tougher time creating more when they aren't there.

LOL!!! I like my plywood archtop with nickel strings that's as dry as an old boot!

[jmagill]

Yet another zombie thread back after 15 years...

"Can you have too many overtones?"

– If you're playing expressive fingerstyle, you may want more overtones and sustain.

– If you're playing rhythmic accompaniment you may want less overtones and sustain.

This is why you have more than one guitar

Can we move on, now?
.

[Mr. Jelly]

I just changed strings and now I can't wait for them to drop that ringy thing.

[J Patrick]

Originally Posted by jmagill

Yet another zombie thread back after 15 years...

"Can you have too many overtones?"

– If you're playing expressive fingerstyle, you may want more overtones and sustain.

– If you're playing rhythmic accompaniment you may want less overtones and sustain.

This is why you have more than one guitar

Can we move on, now?
.

Well you can move on of course, but for some of us there may be more to it. Is it okay with you if we continue the discussion even though it was dropped for 15 years? Not all of us were active here back then, although this thread began the very month and year I became a registered member. In any case, talking about stuff is kinda the point here.

I agree with your two points but I also agree with those that point out the uniqueness of each player and their approach to the music they’re playing. Some players get what they’re after out of any guitar, others are so particular that they simply won’t even try on some guitars. For myself, I like them dry and straightforward these days but don’t feel too limited by any guitar.