Is volume important to you?

[davidd]

One of the reasons I posed this question was my experience with a new acquisition. Not needing another guitar didn't stop me from snatching up a sweet deal on a used Yamaha LS16 R ARE. I was immediately surprised by how much volume, bass and sustain it had available being an OM style. Perhaps the deeper body is the reason behind this, but reading reviews so many people opted away from the LS to the LL dread size because of their perception of the LS as being too quiet and polite. This got me to wondering how people perceive and react to a guitars inherent ability to project volume.

[Scott of the Sa]

Is volume important to you? In a word Yes.
I searched for and found the best (to me) sounding and loudest guitar I could find. Martin HD-28. I string it with mediums and I can play with other instruments and be heard. In small settings, this guitar does fine. I have used it, un amplified, to lead singing for about 50 to 100 people (I prefer amplified).
It plays well with my Banjo playing buddy, and I can hold my own in a bluegrass jam.

[slimey]

Try sitting down to play with a fiddle, mandolin and banjo, see what you think about volume then.

[davidd]

Originally Posted by slimey

Try sitting down to play with a fiddle, mandolin and banjo, see what you think about volume then.

I still have most of my teeth so I wouldn't be allowed to join in...

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by davidd

I still have most of my teeth so I wouldn't be allowed to join in...

Okay! You really made me laugh!!!

- Glenn

[whvick]

I fingerpick mostly so volume is not a major issue with me. I mostly play an Eastman E10 OO 12 fret sitting in my recliner.

[Silly Moustache]

Tools for the job!

I have dreads that I use for perormance and I have an "0" (Eastman E20-P) and a couple of 00s for playing at home, largely for my own pleasure.
I also have a wonderful 000 by Collings.

The "0" and "00" s are plenty loud enough for their purpose and being short scale with light gauge strings are easier to polay with my arthritic hands.

My dreads can (and do) fill up a room if required, but I no longer play them at home for my own amusement.
None of my guitars are "quiet" or dull or non resonant.

[H165]

I like some loud because I'm often the "clock" in the group. Punchy, crisp, easily audible strums keep the timing pretty solid when we have no drummer (or the session's bassist is afflicted with the ubiquitous "thundering mush" disease).

If I wanted a REALLY loud acoustic guitar I'd look at Proulx.

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by davidd

I understand why some bluegrass players and others who play in ensembles might require significant volume available unplugged, but for those of us who play mainly at home or mic'd/plugged into a PA/Amp in live situations does the acoustic volume of the guitar matter to you? Personally I gravitate towards guitars that can put out the tone, sustain and harmonics with the lightest of touches and volume is somewhat irrelevant to me. Even when I play my Martin D guitars they don't get pushed hard. Perhaps it boils down to individual playing style but it seems for many here there is an all consuming need for louder.

Maybe I'm just getting old and need more peace and quiet...

Musical context. If I need more volume, then volume becomes essential. If not, then no.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by H165

I like some loud because I'm often the "clock" in the group. Punchy, crisp, easily audible strums keep the timing pretty solid when we have no drummer (or the session's bassist is afflicted with the ubiquitous "thundering mush" disease).

If I wanted a REALLY loud acoustic guitar I'd look at Proulx.

Sounds like you're a perfect candidate for a nice old 17"/18" Big Band-era archtop, something that could cut through and drive a 20-piece horn section without amplification - here's one that'll get the job done, for about the price of a new custom build:



https://www.archtop.com/ac_48emp_921.html

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Tools for the job!

None of my guitars are "quiet" or dull or non resonant.

"Hear Hear" ! - I agree with the "Tools for the job" position. I've always avoided "The Department of Redundancy Department" when selecting my instruments.

1973 Guild D44M - Sitka/Maple
1987 Guild JF65-12 - Sitka/Maple
2000 Martin D40 - Sitka/Rosewood
2011 Breedlove OM/SReH - Sitka/Rosewood
2017 Taylor 324e - Mahogany/Tasmanian Blackwood
2019 Larrivee 12 fret 000-40 - Sitka/Mahogany
2018 Eastman AC108ce-LTD - Adirondack/Sapele
2020 Eastman E2OM-CD - Cedar/Sapele
2021 Custom Build 12 Fret SS Dread - Engelmann/Black Walnut

[tadol]

All else being equal, loud is nice, but its far from the most important. If you need to get into a volume war just to be heard, find other people to play with, and if you need volume ‘cause the audience doesn’t want to listen, then you’re maybe not playing well enough to make them want to -

Loud is one of the easiest things to achieve - I guess loud is important if you’re going deaf, too -

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by slimey

Try sitting down to play with a fiddle, mandolin and banjo, see what you think about volume then.

This is where musicianship, dynamics and professionalism kicks in; every player in an ensemble should be aware of the others and play accordingly. When it's time for the solo they back off.

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

This is where musicianship, dynamics and professionalism kicks in; every player in an ensemble should be aware of the others and play accordingly. When it's time for the solo they back off.

A few years ago I coined a slogan for a group of jammers: "Play Softer - Listen Louder" as an easy reminder of the very same point you've made.

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by davidd

I still have most of my teeth so I wouldn't be allowed to join in...

You sir win the internet today. Thanks for the laugh! XD!!