Aside from the physical definitions on a more practical side the contribution of back and side materials have often been discussed, and in summary some claim they can hear a considerable difference between materials when all else is held constant and others suggest a minimal influence. One more substantial affect on the amount and composition of overtones comes from the age and the type of aging of the woods. A new guitar or guitar constructed from relatively fresh woods tends to have fewer overtones and more fundamentals, but as the wood ages and changes in cellular structure occur a higher contribution of overtones may occur to the vibrations. Some people call this "opening up" and view it as beneficial.
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