Variables that impact tone - Rank them

[Twinpeaksbirds]

Reading a post on the attributes of mahogany vs. rosewood go me thinking about the myriad variables that factor into how a particular guitar may sound.

If you could assign a score from 0-10 to each of these variables, with 0 = makes no difference at all and 10 being makes all the difference in the world, I would be interested to see the results.

Size
Body Shape
Top Wood
Back and Sides Wood
All-Solid vs. Solid Top w/Laminate Back and Sides
Scale Length
Gauge of Strings
Composition of Strings
Nut and Saddle (bone vs. other materials)
Bridge Pins
Finish
Slotted Headstock vs. Solid Headstock
Thickness of Neck
Type of Bracing (X, ladder, etc.)
Size and shape of Bracing (scalloped, 1/4", 5/16" etc.)
Type of pick used, or fingers with nails/pads of fingers
Particular piece of topwood
Thickness of topwood

Feel free to toss in any other variables that I may not have thought of.

I understand that in the case of a luthier-built guitar, the masterful manipulation of various factors will account for a desired end-result of tone, hence the opinion that who makes it is more important than what it is made out of. I am assuming that the luthier takes into account the above variables and perhaps more.

[dweezil]

You are right there are many factors that define the sound of a guitar. I'm not too sure scoring them helps but I would say the top, back and sides and body shape/size are the major factors.

And yes if you gave me and say Mr Beneteau the same woods and spec the guitars we make would be very different ;-)

Bottom line if you like the sound of it, play it.

[tpaone11]

Size - 9
Body Shape - 9
Top Wood - 10
Back and Sides Wood - 8
All-Solid vs. Solid Top w/Laminate Back and Sides - 6
Scale Length - 4
Gauge of Strings - 5
Composition of Strings - 5
Nut and Saddle (bone vs. other materials) - 6
Bridge Pins - 2
Finish - 5
Slotted Headstock vs. Solid Headstock - 1
Thickness of Neck - 2
Type of Bracing (X, ladder, etc.) - 6
Size and shape of Bracing (scalloped, 1/4", 5/16" etc.) - 5
Type of pick used, or fingers with nails/pads of fingers - 4
Particular piece of topwood - 3
Thickness of topwood - 7

[Rickytuk]

All that stuff makes a difference of course but when you have the guitar the single biggest factor on tone is room humidity. My Taylor GO is the best sounding guitar I have ever heard when the humidity is low. Above 60% and I can't stand to listen to it, really terrible.

Humidity has a massive effect on tone.

[Judson]

+1 on over humidification ...

Originally Posted by Rickytuk

All that stuff makes a difference of course but when you have the guitar the single biggest factor on tone is room humidity. My Taylor GO is the best sounding guitar I have ever heard when the humidity is low. Above 60% and I can't stand to listen to it, really terrible.

Humidity has a massive effect on tone.

[oldrocker]

1) The guitar maker/luthier/manufacturer

2) Everything else in synergy

[dweezil]

Of course there are LOTS of external factors to consider like humidity, the player, fingernails, time of day, length of hair, room size etc but these would all be the same if you were comparing different guitars in the same environment. When I say the same, that's not entirely true as guitar A would behave differently to guitar B in the same humidity etc.

I think the OP was about the intrinsic features of a guitar not the common external factors.

But what do I know?!

[iim7V7IM7]

The player....

Makes ya forget about everything else

[DrRhythm]

No mention of strings?

In certain circumstances I'd rank strings above everything else on the list, as sometimes all I can hear is the strings (*). Certain brands seem to render any guitar I fit them to utterly homogeneous.

Of course, if this is more from a custom-build/luthiery standpoint, where the instrument's inherent tone is at issue, then you could argue that strings are irrelevant - a consumable, even - but from a player's perspective I'd say they are a massive influence.


(*) In a metaphorical sense - calm down, physicists. I'm one too

[saxonblue]

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

The player....

Makes ya forget about everything else

Yup!! you're on it.

All else is secondary.

[ecguitar44]

#1 - The player
#2 - The strings
#3 - Everything else

[random works]

The builder is the most important, otherwise why would people pay what they do for amazing guitars from amazing builders?

Someone who can work on/with a guitar with a target sound in mind and actually get that sound is a national treasure IMHO.

[scottishrogue]

Originally Posted by random works

The builder is the most important.

+10! I totally agree. If the build is not right, it makes very little difference what else you change, you're gonna have a dog!

I would rate size next because in spite of everything...size matters! And properly humidified is critical. That would be followed closely by strings, soundboard thickness and tone wood used, size and position of bracing, wood used and thickness of the back panel, the sides have minimal effect.

And I'm surprised nobody has mention this yet...LUCK!!! That's right. You were lucky to find such a great sounding guitar before someone else snatched it up! Right place, right time...pure luck.

Glen

[Fisharm]

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

The player....

Makes ya forget about everything else

+++ I can make any guitar lose tone, just by getting near it with my greasy paws...

[williejohnson]

Originally Posted by ecguitar44

#1 - The player
#2 - The strings
#3 - Everything else

I believe this to be the best answer.