Build Techniques, Top Woods, Strings for More 'Sparkling' Highs

[LHawes]

I've built about 15 guitars and they sound good but seem to be missing those 'sparkling' highs I hear on some guitars. I know 'sparkling' is a vague and subjective term but it's all I can come up with. Are there techniques, (bracing, top thickness etc.) top woods, bridge material or strings that might help brighten the highs?

Thanks

[Fathand]

I have built 2 guitars with Englemann spruce tops. One size 0 Osage Orange and one size 00 on Padauk sides and back. I think I might describe them as sparkling. Bright, ringing, lots of overtones. Remind me of my banjo. Tops are around .10-.11" thick. Pretty conventional X braced, scalloped.

Other guitars I have built sound different than these with Sitka, Adirondack and Mahogany tops. I think the Englemann was the major factor.

[Bruce Sexauer]

20/80 are brighter (by my definition) than PB. I higher saddle (off the top) is brighter than a lower saddle. Some believe that more skookum finger braces enhance treble. Of all pleasant woods I've used, Big Leaf maple has the most clarity.

[LHawes]

Thanks Bruce, forgot about the Skookum finger braces.

[redir]

IF it really does come down to strings and not how the top of the guitar was constructed then IMHO John Pearce 80/20 are the best in that regard.

[DickHutchings]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

20/80 are brighter (by my definition) than PB. I higher saddle (off the top) is brighter than a lower saddle. Some believe that more skookum finger braces enhance treble. Of all pleasant woods I've used, Big Leaf maple has the most clarity.

Skookum?? I must have missed that thread.

skookum
1 of 2
noun
skoo·​kum ˈskükəm

And this.

Meaning strong or excellent, the word is a bit odd, but not so much as to never be uttered. On a Vancouver street you might be offered a compliment the likes of, “that's a skookum jacket.” An entry for "skookum" in a Chinook Wawa dictionary. The word, meaning strong or excellent, is a common adjective in B.C.
plural-s
: an evil spirit
skookum

2 of 2
adjective
"
1
: marked by strength or power
was a skookum eater most times, but he pushed his bowl away
—Arthur Mayse
2
: marked by excellent quality : FIRST-RATE
as handsome and healthy as skookum apples
—Time

[DickHutchings]

One more thing. "20/80 are brighter (by my definition) than PB" 20/80 is definitely brighter than peanut butter.

[darkwave]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

20/80 are brighter (by my definition) than PB. I higher saddle (off the top) is brighter than a lower saddle. Some believe that more skookum finger braces enhance treble. Of all pleasant woods I've used, Big Leaf maple has the most clarity.

This quote is interesting to me. I definitely agree with the 20/80 quote (surprises me when others see it different). I was on a search for a dread-sized guitar that was more scooped and had more sparkle than my others. I ended up with a Larrivee C-09 with Rosewood back. The surprise was that the saddle was very tall, and this particular guitar probably pushes the sparkle to the extreme end of what I was looking for (strung up with PB).

I'm very happy with it, but interesting to hear that the saddle height might be a small factor in those results. I often hear about the neck set impacting tone, but rarely hear examples of how...

Thanks!