Custom build with the most overtones and harmonics...?

[Muse-ic]

I'm curious - what's the custom guitar that you've had built that ended up having the most ringing overtones and harmonics (and sustain I would add?) What were the woods used? And, I guess.... who made it?

[TomB'sox]

Well that is a hard question, but I would say my Steve Kinnaird SJ, with BRW and Italian spruce top...

[Cocobolo Kid]

Mike Baranik is known for his modern sound with great overtones, bloom and sustain. Both of my Baraniks excel in these areas and many more. In fact, on my last build, I asked Mike to pick out a top that would have the best and most complex overtones, and he delivered in spades. The link to my build thread is in my signature if you want to see more.

Here is sample recording of my Baranik Meridian:


I look forward to coming back to this thread and seeing what guitars others have chosen. It might give me some ideas for upcoming builds or purchases, as I am drawn to guitars with great overtones.

[Muse-ic]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Well that is a hard question, but I would say my Steve Kinnaird SJ, with BRW and Italian spruce top...

Good to know. I'm wondering mostly about how different spruce tops compare in this regard.... (Got a pic? )

[justonwo]

Of all the builders I’ve played, Goodall has always been on the far end of the overtone spectrum. I know a lot of people say that, but I’ve owned and played many of them. They are like grand pianos with the sustain pedal held down.

Depending on the type of music you play, you should be careful not to go too far down the overtone path. It can make a guitar sound jumbled, as it did with my Goodall Standard.

I agree Mike Baranik’s guitars can have very nice and sophisticated overtone content, though he can also dial it back a bit. My Meridian has more than my PX. I wouldn’t say Mike goes to the Goodall extreme. His guitars are better balanced and more useful to me.

[Muse-ic]

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

Mike Baranik is known for his modern sound with great overtones, bloom and sustain. Both of my Baraniks excel in these areas and many more. In fact, on my last build, I asked Mike to pick out a top that would have the best and most complex overtones, and he delivered in spades. The link to my build thread is in my signature if you want to see more.

Here is sample recording of my Baranik Meridian:


I look forward to coming back to this thread and seeing what guitars others have chosen. It might give me some ideas for upcoming builds or purchases, as I am drawn to guitars with great overtones.

Gorgeous guitar and sound. I see what you mean - resonance, sustain, overtones.... really nice, thanks!

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by Muse-ic

Good to know. I'm wondering mostly about how different spruce tops compare in this regard.... (Got a pic? )

Not much at all. It’s 99% how the guitar is built. Euro spruce is generally more well known for overtone content than red spruce, but I’ve played a lot of exceptions.

[Muse-ic]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Not much at all. It’s 99% how the guitar is built. Euro spruce is generally more well known for overtone content than red spruce, but I’ve played a lot of exceptions.

Well I think you're right, I've played many sitka tops and the differences were huge.... although when sitka really hits it, that's the sound I'm after.... I need to listen to a lot more guitars though, as most of my experience these days is with Ryans which are known for these qualities but there's a lot of variance there as well of course...

[BrunoBlack]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Of all the builders I’ve played, Goodall has always been on the far end of the overtone spectrum.

Snip.....

Depending on the type of music you play, you should be careful not to go too far down the overtone path. It can make a guitar sound jumbled, as it did with my Goodall Standard.

I completely agree with this comment. Wonderful guitars, but IMO having 1 for selected use is plenty for my taste. I find Froggy Bottom guitars have a nice balance in that regard.

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by Muse-ic

Good to know. I'm wondering mostly about how different spruce tops compare in this regard.... (Got a pic? )

YEP


A1.jpg

[Guitars44me]

For me it would be my John Kinnaird Round Peak custom in Euro/Honduras Rosewood.

Although I find it completely useable! And it seems to cut through a bit better in loud situations than my similar JKs in other woods.

Best on your quest!

Always more to learn about guitars and this is a fine place to do it!

Paul

[Muse-ic]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Of all the builders I’ve played, Goodall has always been on the far end of the overtone spectrum. I know a lot of people say that, but I’ve owned and played many of them. They are like grand pianos with the sustain pedal held down.

Depending on the type of music you play, you should be careful not to go too far down the overtone path. It can make a guitar sound jumbled, as it did with my Goodall Standard.

I agree Mike Baranik’s guitars can have very nice and sophisticated overtone content, though he can also dial it back a bit. My Meridian has more than my PX. I wouldn’t say Mike goes to the Goodall extreme. His guitars are better balanced and more useful to me.

I had a Goodall RGCC a long time ago, which I still had it, it was a really nice-feeling and sounding guitar....

I'll have to check out Baranik guitars more for sure. They seem to have that natural reverb thing down....

I play fingerstyle such that sustain, natural reverb, overtones, harmonics.... all fit the particular way I play the best....

[Muse-ic]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

YEP


Attachment 11937

Ah, beautiful guitar....

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by Muse-ic

Ah, beautiful guitar....

Thank you, I would have linked the build thread, but I think all the pics are gone because of the photobucket issue....

[islandguitar]

I think two of mine would fall into this category:
Tom Doerr, Legacy: LS Redwood/Cocobolo
Jeff Bamburg FSC: Carpathian Spruce/Macassar Ebony