Looks for- Acoustic with Growl

[Neil K Walk]

For me, the best test to see if a guitar “growls” is to play a plain old C chord down in the first position with a G tacked on to it for additional bass (332010) and give it one good slow strum. It’s like a reversed power chord where the two notes blend but the frequencies mesh in such a way that the whole guitar just pulsates with power down in the bass register; it growls.

I always associate it with Martin, especially the HD models. My favorite has been the HD-35 for a long time seconded only slightly by the HD-28V. When I caught a D-16GT doing a subdued imitation of the effect I bought it and am glad I did. After about a year it found its true voice and growls freely.

Sometimes my Larrivee growls, but I have to drop tune it. Otherwise it “sings” (ring more clearly in the midrange) - especially with a capo.

Fresh strings help the effect.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Tico

... me too.

Here’s a recording of an acoustic guitar growling. My Flammang L-40 with a soundboard pickup into a Fishman Loudbox Performer. The studio recording:

https://m.soundcloud.com/user-676357162/rumble-strut

Howard

[tippy5]

Short scale slope with a thin responsive top and rosewood backs.

[JohnW63]

Nice tune, Howard, but... isn't using an open C tuning a little cheating ?

[AndrewG]

I have no idea what this 'growling' is all about either. A Strat 'quack' I can understand.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by JohnW63

Nice tune, Howard, but... isn't using an open C tuning a little cheating ?

Hi John,
In the end, what difference does it make how it’s achieved, especially given that the (3 year old) thread is based, as usual, on a verbal description of a sound, which is inane, in and of itself.

The least anyone could do is to give an actual audio example of what THEY HEAR as fitting a particular description.

That’s why I stepped up, and by the way: Played unplugged ‘Rumble Strut’ does not have nearly the sonic impact, or growl. I’m clearly overdriving the top but coupled with the amplified fret slap, minimal chorus and delay, it all adds up to a much more intense sonic footprint.

Regards,
Howard

[nickv6]

Gibson J45 for sure