Sustain that can increase in volume?!

[jaymarsch]

I have played guitars that behaved as the OP described. I found that on one guitar the high E string had this pronounced increase in loudness. But, if I muted the 5th string, the ringing stopped. So, sympathetic overtones involved for sure.
Best,
Jayne

[Roccorobb]

Thanks all for the responses. To be clear:

1 - This is not typical 'bloom' where various overtones sustain beyond the fundamental. As mentioned in the OP: If I play an open harmonic, it rises in volume without a tonic/ fundamental beneath it.

2 - This is not sympathetic vibration with other strings. Also started in the OP, it occurs with other strings muted.

I think Lars or joeld may be closest to an answer. Either the string is vibrating in such a way that it self oscillates like a "magic gong" or the string is finding resonant frequencies in the top itself. Either way, a strange and beautiful sorcery is built into this guitar.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by Roccorobb

Thanks all for the responses. To be clear:

1 - This is not typical 'bloom' where various overtones sustain beyond the fundamental. As mentioned in the OP: If I play an open harmonic, it rises in volume without a tonic/ fundamental beneath it.

2 - This is not sympathetic vibration with other strings. Also started in the OP, it occurs with other strings muted.

I think Lars or joeld may be closest to an answer. Either the string is vibrating in such a way that it self oscillates like a "magic gong" or the string is finding resonant frequencies in the top itself. Either way, a strange and beautiful sorcery is built into this guitar.

Well, if you learn how to control it, regardless of where it comes from, you can capitalize on it when you are composing/playing.

Best,
Jayne