#1
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How long before a guitar “opens up”?
I have a Faith Blood Moon guitar that I bought new about 14 months ago. It is made from all-Trembesi (Monkeypod). It is a hardwood, quite similar to Mahogany.
When it was new, although sweet sounding, I felt that it lacked resonance. Partly due to it being quite heavily built. I play this guitar about 2-3 times per week for about an hour, mostly strumming it. About a week ago, when I played this guitar, I felt that it sounded louder and resonates much better. The change in tone was quite significant, as though it had opened up. I had not changed strings prior to playing it. Is it possible for a guitar with a hardwood to open up so quickly based on 2-3 hours of playing a week for 14 months? Seems a bit too quick for me. But I’m REAL GLAD it did. I changed strings to D’Addario EXP 16, 12-53, two days ago just to make sure my ears weren’t playing tricks on me. My guitar sounded even better with more resonance than with the old strings.
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Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) |
#2
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Sounds like an interesting guitar, would love to see a pic!
Cannot comment for a Trembesi top but I have two guitars with spruce tops that I bought brand new as custom builds and they both had that opening up experience after a bit more than a year of playing. |
#3
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Sure. Here’s how it looks... Thanks for your feedback! So your 2 guitars also took about over a year to open up...
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Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) |
#4
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Looks nice!
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For another guitar (bought used but with next to no playing time on it and with a very stiff sitka top) I went down the Tonerite path and got a better sound in a week. |
#5
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Wow! Interesting use of Tonerite! Would you recommend the use of Tonerite to quicken the opening up process? Mind sharing what 2 guitars they were?
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Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) |
#6
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It took my cedar-topped Seagull less than a year to open up but cedar is known for that.
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2022 Yamaha Red Label FGX3 2022 Guild Westerly Collection OM-120 2016 Taylor 416ce-R 2010 Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster 1974 Rickenbacker 4001 Bass |
#7
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I wonder.
Does the guitar "open up" or Over time does our playing calibrate to the guitar subconsciously. Making it sound better?
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"My opinion is worth every penny you paid for it." "If you try to play like someone else, Who will play like you". Quote from Johnny Gimble The only musician I have to impress today is the musician I was yesterday. No tubes, No capos, No Problems. |
#8
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My vote is the former!
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IMHO, I think that guitars do open up. Our playing does improve and calibrate to our guitars but I feel the former is more likely than the latter. Let’s hear what the rest think? Cheers!
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Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) |
#9
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I can tell by the pics that the guitar has already opened up.
Maybe it's you. Just play it!
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______________________________________ Naples, FL 1972 Martin D18 (Kimsified, so there!) Alvarez Yairi PYM70 Yamaha LS-TA with sunburst finish Republic parlor resonator Too many ukeleles |
#10
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I don't think so. Some of mine have definitely changed for the better since new. But this last one, an Eastman eOM-20, I decided to put it to the test, so I recorded it when I got it. My hopes are to remember to go back in a year or so and duplicate that recording for comparison. Should be fairly easy to do - my recording setup, interface and mic don't change. Only variable is strings, and I did it with 1 day old strings. If you guys help me to remember next April, I'll post the recordings.
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#11
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1 strings 2 playing calibrating to the instrument 2a are you holding it tight to your body or away. 3 temperature 4 humidity 5 barometric pressure Did you record 3, 4, and 5 so that they can be reproduced? I'm not saying your wrong just that there are many factors and they all contribute.
__________________
"My opinion is worth every penny you paid for it." "If you try to play like someone else, Who will play like you". Quote from Johnny Gimble The only musician I have to impress today is the musician I was yesterday. No tubes, No capos, No Problems. |
#12
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Did the indoor humidity recently change (specifically, get dryer)?
I've found that I prefer acoustics MUCH better near 40% RH than near 50% RH, and they really sound bad when RH gets to 55% RH or even 60% RH. |
#13
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That has been my experience too.
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Keystone Mod D - German/ABW Doerr Mod D - Swiss/BRW Benavides D - Torrefied Adi/Madi RW Lindsay Marcus D - Sitka/Madi RW Gone But Not Forgotten Tom Sands Model S (Crystal) - Italian/Fiddleback Hog |
#14
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Sounds weather related.
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#15
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Mine live here in subtropical SW FL, A/C on always, but RH inside into the 60s routinely, and my guitars have opened up so much I can't stand it.
__________________
______________________________________ Naples, FL 1972 Martin D18 (Kimsified, so there!) Alvarez Yairi PYM70 Yamaha LS-TA with sunburst finish Republic parlor resonator Too many ukeleles |