#31
|
||||
|
||||
I did it myself. The guitar isn't the same level as your Martin, so an amateur installed soundport isn't the end of the world. I would have a professional do a Martin like yours.
__________________
Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#32
|
|||
|
|||
Just ordered a set of Ernie Ball aluminum medium-lites. Perhaps that will give me a little boost in sound and will be enough.
I want to do everything I can before I give up on this guitar because the tone is oh so sweet and it's extremely playable. And it looks good too. Martin-OMC-161-sm.jpg |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
+1
Try Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings. They are by miles the loudest strings I have ever used. Great projection from these. I was taken back by how much more volume I got and they are nice and tight but not to tight as to choke out that Martin tone everyone loves. |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
My OM-18 is not the loudest guitar I own, but it is not overly quiet. Perhaps, the problem is the all Ovankol body?
__________________
(insert famous quote here) |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I have an Alvarez that I KNOW was loud and resonant after its first string change. I pulled it out and it was easy playing still. But the sound was gone. I put on fresh strings and my guitar came back to life. That said, as a fingerstyle player primarily, I find that I prefer to play the lightest strings I can get away with. 13’s, for me have a load of volume, but sound kind of choked to me. I’ve pretty much gone back to 11’s on most of the guitars as well. If this is a new to you guitar, have it set up for your style and string preference. My friend and luthier, has set up my “recalcitrant” guitar and in making them easier to play, gave them a voice. A good set up along with a crack repair, just turned my new to me Guild 2512 from a “peashooter” sound wise, Into a cannon. I used to think a set up only helped playability. Then I learned that the ability to play the guitar as easily as possible made me louder.
__________________
A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics, A house full of people that “get” me. Alvarez 5013 Alvarez MD70CE Alvarez PD85S Alvarez AJ60SC Alvarez ABT610e Alvarez-Yairi GY1 Takamine P3DC Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT Godin Multiac Steel. Journey Instruments OF660 Gibson G45 |
#36
|
||||
|
||||
Have you ever tried playing with a thumbpick and fingerpicks? I was dissatisfied with the power and richness of my tone about 10 years ago and decided to try a thumbpick in combination with Pro Pik Fingertones. Nothing. NOTHING will give you a volume boost like thumb and fingerpicks. You will also get a lot more richness and shimmer to your tone.
I wouldn’t cut a sound port in your guitar. The perceived volume may increase but you may not like the sound spectrum. You might get a boost in mids and trebles that you don’t like.
__________________
Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad) |
#37
|
|||
|
|||
A thought
OP: How about selling it and purchasing one that suits you? Any thrashing around making 'improvements', I think, is just bringing the guitar closer to being unsalable and worthless. Picks and strings, sure, but comments above about a guitar having is own voice ring true to me.
|
#38
|
|||
|
|||
I think you'll like the Aluminum Bronze strings. They can liven up a quiet guitar, but can sound strident on a lively one. I just put a set on my Epi Hummingbird and I'm pleased with the added dynamic range and the volume boost. In addition to being a little louder, the bass notes are deeper and the highs sparkle a bit more.
__________________
All things must pass, though some may pass like a kidney stone. |
#39
|
|||
|
|||
buy a different guitar
|
#40
|
|||
|
|||
Poor room acoustics may be a big part of the problem. Try playing in a bathroom or hallway to hear the difference. You might be able to use a smaller room with better acoustics for a lot of your playing.
Also, as previously mentioned, high humidity is a sound killer. |
#41
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Martin X1-DE Epiphone AJ500MNS Alvarez AD30 Alvarez AD710 Alvarez RD20S Esteban American Legacy Rogue mandolin |
#42
|
|||
|
|||
I'd first check and see what you hear in the sweet spot if you know any good local acoustic players. I'd also consider using/borrowing a Tone Rite to see if it loosens up. I know the latter is somewhat controversial 'round here.
I'd think the top being a hardwood isn't doing you any favors. |
#43
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I have 12’s on a couple tuned down and I love the way i can feel it in my chest. The 12’s are tuned to D. I like the sound. And the ease. I admit that with the Guild, it has suffered in its life before me. I intend to string it as light as I can and never tune it above Eb. My Takamine is the Nokia Phone of guitars. It’s got 11-50’s tuned to D at present. It sounds marvelous.
__________________
A bunch of guitars I really enjoy. A head full of lyrics, A house full of people that “get” me. Alvarez 5013 Alvarez MD70CE Alvarez PD85S Alvarez AJ60SC Alvarez ABT610e Alvarez-Yairi GY1 Takamine P3DC Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT Godin Multiac Steel. Journey Instruments OF660 Gibson G45 |
#44
|
|||
|
|||
I know some people adhere to the "flesh only" fingerstyle technique, but I could never get adequate tone or volume without a thumb pick and strong, well shaped fingernails. Fortunately my nails are strong and I can really "dig in" when necessary. Many people have much thinner nails, cannot, and would benefit from fingerpicks.
A thumb pick feels awkward, at first, but with effort and practice will feel normal, as will, I suspect, finger picks. Just ask any banjo player. I think they will create a more demonstrable volume/tone increase than simply changing strings.
__________________
'10 Larrivee LSV-11 '76 Larrivee L-11 '03 Larrivee D-03 '86 Flatiron A5-JR '15 Pono N-30DC |
#45
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Martin X1-DE Epiphone AJ500MNS Alvarez AD30 Alvarez AD710 Alvarez RD20S Esteban American Legacy Rogue mandolin |