Audio clips influence on custom build

[ncognito1]

It looks like I will be having my first custom build guitar. I have some specifics in mind in terms of specs and possible wood choices, but I was wondering from those who've already had the pleasure of having one built, and from the luthiers-- what value do audio clips have in helping to establish the sound I have in mind?

DAVE

[jhchang]

Who are you building with?

[ncognito1]

Originally Posted by jhchang

Who are you building with?

His name is Brian Fry.

DAVE

[jhchang]

Your luthier would be the best person to answer your question. It's about the preference of communication with him, so he should let you know if he is ok if you send him a clip to get the idea of your tonal preference.

[Brackett Instruments]

I suppose audio clips can be helpful, but the speakers you're listening on really make a difference. Recording gear and techniques matter too. FWIW there's some recordings posted on my website.

[Fliss]

Congratulations on your first custom build - very exciting. I agree that the best option is to discuss this with your luthier. I think it's important to play one or more of their guitars as part of the process of choosing your builder, so that you know that they will be able to deliver what you're looking for.

Fliss

[ncognito1]

I did get to play one of Fry's parlors. I liked it alot.

DAVE

[fitness1]

don't put much stock in audio clips of guitars. I want it on my lap with fresh strings on it

[jonathanvaljean]

Dave,

If the quality of the recordings is high and the conditions are controlled, I think that sound clips can be quite helpful in a guitar search. The sound clips at the Dream Guitars site of both archived and current guitars have served as an excellent research resource for me in the past. (Coincidentally, the entire staff there is quite helpful, too!)

[ncognito1]

Originally Posted by jonathanvaljean

Dave,

If the quality of the recordings is high and the conditions are controlled, I think that sound clips can be quite helpful in a guitar search. The sound clips at the Dream Guitars site of both archived and current guitars have served as an excellent research resource for me in the past. (Coincidentally, the entire staff there is quite helpful, too!)

Johnathan--

Yes, I've spent alot of time on the Dream Guitars site narrowing down what I like and don't like to hear in a guitar. From what I understand all the recordings are done through mics in the same fashion for each guitar, by the same person, and there isn't supposed to be any sound morphing in any stage of the recording process. There are limitations at my end with my computer speakers, but they are more than adequate, and with all the variables being equal it lends credibility to what seems should be a fair comparison.

DAVE

[jonathanvaljean]

Originally Posted by ncognito1

Johnathan--Yes, I've spent alot of time on the Dream Guitars site narrowing down what I like and don't like to hear in a guitar. From what I understand all the recordings are done through mics in the same fashion for each guitar, by the same person, and there isn't supposed to be any sound morphing in any stage of the recording process. There are limitations at my end with my computer speakers, but they are more than adequate, and with all the variables being equal it lends credibility to what seems should be a fair comparison.DAVE

Dave,

You might try listening with high quality headphones to enhance your comparison experience. I listen with Sennheiser HD 595s and they do an excellent job of reproducing sound faithfully. Also, you are exactly right regarding the absence of sound morphing--I chatted with Al Petteway a couple of weeks ago about his wonderful recordings and the process, and he stated as much.

Happy chasing!

[Brent Hutto]

For that matter when Al P. engineers a recording for other guitar players he is pretty darned hard-core about neutral recordings. He does not care for sweetening the sound even a little bit.

[jonathanvaljean]

Originally Posted by Brent Hutto

For that matter when Al P. engineers a recording for other guitar players he is pretty darned hard-core about neutral recordings. He does not care for sweetening the sound even a little bit.

Right on! And I love it!

[cotten]

Dave, I hope to be able to order my first custom build guitar soon, as well. I've listened with interest to the sound clips on many builder's web sites, but I know that with my crummy speakers I'm not hearing a very accurate representation, even if great care was taken in the recording.

Your post made me consider doing a little recording of my own, to give a builder some idea of how and what I like to play, though I'm undecided on that just yet. I'm probably better with words, anyway.

Congratulations on that build. Hope things go smoothly each step of the way, and that you and your new guitar will have many years of making beautiful music together!

cotten

[ncognito1]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. I'm still at the point where I'm trying to narrow down the details. I want to take my time about it to ensure that I'm very pleased with the outcome.

DAVE