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  #1  
Old 05-03-2005, 02:39 PM
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Default What's a "canon" to you?

Over the years we've all seen the word "canon" used to describe a particular sound or tonal quality. I've heard some guitars played that others have described as "canons" but that isn't what I would describe canon to mean. To me, canon does not mean loud...it's a tonal quality that you can feel as well as hear. My friend just bought a new Martin D18v...He described it as a "canon." I have the HD28v and if this D18v is a canon, then mine is a nuclear weapon! Now don't get me wrong, that D18v is sweet and a better lead instrument in many ways than my HD28v. I'd like to have the sustain and highs found on his guitar.

I've not played many guitars that I would describe as canons. I've played a bunch of Taylor 810s (and have owned them as well) ltds and others and I've never heard that "canon like" quality in Taylors. Loud yes, bell like quality, yes, sustain, yes, canon....no.

I've played another friends Collings dred and it is absolutley a "canon."

Don't get me wrong, many people don't prefer that tone for their style and wouldn't want a guitar that has that quality. I would never describe my Goodall as a canon nor would I want it to be.

Just curious as to other opinions...
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Old 05-03-2005, 02:45 PM
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I always considered a cannon to be a loud acoustic. Booming loud (lot of bass).
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Old 05-03-2005, 02:54 PM
Phantoj Phantoj is offline
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I would say a canon is a fundamental code of rules.
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Old 05-03-2005, 02:55 PM
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Default My Olson D...

Hi...
My Olson D Rosewood/Cedar is probably what you'd call a cannon (only we call it a Bazooka).

Loud without trying to be, balanced, wonderfully full and dark chocolate sound when strummed, rich deep overtones and spectacularly big harmonics when fingerstyled.
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:01 PM
Jeff M Jeff M is offline
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I fall back on Eric Schoenberg's description;
http://www.om28.com/notes3.html
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:48 PM
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That's a great description. To me "cannon" is just another way of saying "boomy," not necessarily the quality I look for in guitars (or, say, car stereos).

Sincerely,
Nilus
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Old 05-03-2005, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimC
Over the years we've all seen the word "canon" used to describe a particular sound or tonal quality. I've heard some guitars played that others have described as "canons" but that isn't what I would describe canon to mean. To me, canon does not mean loud...it's a tonal quality that you can feel as well as hear. My friend just bought a new Martin D18v...He described it as a "canon." I have the HD28v and if this D18v is a canon, then mine is a nuclear weapon! Now don't get me wrong, that D18v is sweet and a better lead instrument in many ways than my HD28v. I'd like to have the sustain and highs found on his guitar.

I've not played many guitars that I would describe as canons. I've played a bunch of Taylor 810s (and have owned them as well) ltds and others and I've never heard that "canon like" quality in Taylors. Loud yes, bell like quality, yes, sustain, yes, canon....no.

I've played another friends Collings dred and it is absolutley a "canon."

Don't get me wrong, many people don't prefer that tone for their style and wouldn't want a guitar that has that quality. I would never describe my Goodall as a canon nor would I want it to be.

Just curious as to other opinions...
Some synonyms are:
act, adjuration, ban, behest, bidding, call, canon, caveat, charge, citation, commandment, decree, devoir, dictate, dictation, dictum, direction, duty, edict, enactment, fiat, imperative, imposition, injunction, instruction, law, mandate, notification, obligation, order, ordinance, precept, prescript, proclamation, prohibition, proscription, regulation, request, requirement, requisition, responsibility, rule, subpoena, summons,

So it summ it all up by saying simply a canon is My D 18GE Sunburnt awesome
get er done , inspired geeeeeeeetar. In other words it ''rule' zzzzzzzzz.
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nilus
That's a great description. To me "cannon" is just another way of saying "boomy," not necessarily the quality I look for in guitars (or, say, car stereos).

Sincerely,
Nilus
I don't compare "boomy" to canon. I've heard both...to me, a real canon sound isn't boomy. I don't like the "boomy" sound. For a dred, I do like a canon sound however for a bluegrass dred guitar....
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:11 PM
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To me "canon" is just another over used superlative used to describe guitars that doesn't have an actual defintion.
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar
Hi...
My Olson D Rosewood/Cedar is probably what you'd call a cannon
.

Your Olson shoots cannon balls? Maybe they are worth the $$.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar
Loud without trying to be, balanced, wonderfully full and dark chocolate sound when strummed, rich deep overtones and spectacularly big harmonics when fingerstyled.
It sounds like dark chocolate when strummed? I've never strummed dark chocolate, but I have played a couple licks on a Mr. Goodbar. Which Olson should I look at for the Mr Goodbar sound?
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:54 PM
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88mm and above. 20mm is wimpy aircraft stuff.
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Old 05-03-2005, 05:30 PM
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I'm not exactly sure of the meaning of "canon" but if you can track down Pachelbel, I think he'd have some insight.
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Old 05-03-2005, 05:31 PM
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If you run across a guitar that is "turn your head loud", plays slick, sounds great, and is impressive to your very soul, THAT'S a canon.

Great guitars aren't always canons.

Canons ARE ALWAYS great guitars.

My $.02

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Old 05-03-2005, 05:50 PM
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When someone talks about a guitar being a "cannon" I am thinking the word "loud". We are talking about a guitar with a lot of headroom that can be heard right along with the banjos. I am usually thinking of the term being used with dreads or jumbos. I am thinking about flatpicking or strumming. Whether there is a great tone is another matter.
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Old 05-03-2005, 07:32 PM
Jeff M Jeff M is offline
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Ok. Question for all you munitions guys. What is it that actually defines a REAL cannon..as opposed to a rifle, gun, etc.?
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Last edited by Jeff M; 05-03-2005 at 09:43 PM.
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