Low E String BOOMS on BRW Dreadnaught

[wguitar]

HI,

I have a 1989 Taylor 810 (BRW) and the low E string really BOOMS (unplugged). Is this a setup issue or would simply lowering the gauge of the E string help? Presently used 11/52's (EJ13) and guitar sounds beautiful otherwise. THANKS!

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by wguitar

HI,

I have a 1989 Taylor 810 (BRW) and the low E string really BOOMS (unplugged). Is this a setup issue or would simply lowering the gauge of the E string help? Presently used 11/52's (EJ13) and guitar sounds beautiful otherwise. THANKS!

Can you post a sound clip for us? It is kind of hard to grasp exactly what you mean by "boom", or how it is working against the rest of the strings when you play, and a sound clip would let us hear...hopefully...the issue you feel you are having.


duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[brandall10]

I'm somewhat inclined to think it's something like a loose brace, electronics, improperly seated bridge pin, etc. Those are extra light strings and it's a Taylor... shouldn't really be much in the way of boominess.

I'd take it down to a tech for an eval.

[wguitar]

Thanks folks! I found a 50 gauge DR Sunbeam E string, put it on guitar and it sounds GREAT (sounds very balanced with the other strings). So just going from 52 to 50 seems to be the ticket. Cheers!

[guitar george]

Glad you found a solution. I play mostly strumming and like a booming lower E string and often use 13/56's. When you say "the low E string really BOOMS" is that when you strum, flat pick, finger pick or all styles?

[DesertTwang]

In my experience, a booming bass is the whole point of choosing a dreadnaught in the first place. I mean, that's why Martin invented them, no? A low E string of 50 gauge seems crazy low to me. (To be honest, I didn't even know they make low E strings of such a thin gauge.) To me it would seem like putting small passenger tires on an F350 pickup truck or something. My recommendation would be to consider a 000 body size guitar instead.

[TBman]

Booming bass.... Taylor.... 52 gauge..... What's wrong with this picture kiddies?

This is a joke, right,?

[wguitar]

Originally Posted by guitar george

Glad you found a solution. I play mostly strumming and like a booming lower E string and often use 13/56's. When you say "the low E string really BOOMS" is that when you strum, flat pick, finger pick or all styles?

George,

I flatpick. Guitar is very loud (rosewood overtones) in general and the low E "boom" just "took over" the overall sound. Very balanced now, which is what I like. On my Larrivee OM-40w I enjoy the increased bass presence Jean put into the OM-40's.

[wguitar]

Originally Posted by DesertTwang

In my experience, a booming bass is the whole point of choosing a dreadnaught in the first place. I mean, that's why Martin invented them, no? A low E string of 50 gauge seems crazy low to me. (To be honest, I didn't even know they make low E strings of such a thin gauge.) To me it would seem like putting small passenger tires on an F350 pickup truck or something. My recommendation would be to consider a 000 body size guitar instead.

Twang, you're historically correct, but this thing was out of control (at least for me). As you know guitars tend to have their own sound "personalities" (my term), and this one was hyper bass heavy. And 11's work best for me when the C/T acts up, comfortable to play around the house, and produces good sound. In the past year I have acquired a Larrivee OM-40 and a Martin 00-28 which I play more than the dread (which I've actually had for years). In fact, playing the smaller guitars more only makes the dread sound super "bassy" by comparison. Appreciate the feedback! Cheers!

[wguitar]

Originally Posted by TBman

Booming bass.... Taylor.... 52 gauge..... What's wrong with this picture kiddies?

This is a joke, right,?

It's all good!

[Brucebubs]

One man's bass is another man's boom.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by TBman

Booming bass.... Taylor.... 52 gauge.....

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is... well, you know.