Do guitars go to sleep when not played for long periods?

[Cool555]

Following up on a thread about guitars going to sleep when not played for long periods, I'm curious to find out in a poll those who believe in this phenomenon and those who do not.

I've personally experienced this once or twice on my Faith guitar. After playing it for about 20 minutes or so, it woke up. I'm more inclined to believe that it's my playing and my hearing (perception of the change of tone) that woke up more than the guitar waking up.

Thank you in advance for your votes and/or comments!

Edit: To be more specific, what I meant was that my sleeping guitar may have woken up (30%) but my playing and perception of the tone woke up by 70%. Granted all these are our experiences, opinions and most of them are non-scientific experiences. Nevertheless they are interesting and fun to read about.

[RalphH]

I voted yes as I have experienced it, however I suspect that really, its the player making small technique adjustments to get the most from the guitar at an unconscious level, and when you're out of practice with a guitar it takes a little while for your brain to dial in those adjustments.

Best way to test that would be to lend a guitar to a friend for a few months and see if it comes back 'asleep' despite being played.

[bil40272]

I have a Taylor 510e that does.
If it sits unplayed for a few weeks, when I first get it out of the case it is very dull sounding.
After playing it for a little while, it starts coming back to its incredible sounding self.
It is stored in a Humidity controlled area with constant temp, with humidipacs.
I also had a Taylor GA4 that did the same.

[J Patrick]

I voted yes but in my experience it is highly dependent on the individual guitar...some go to sleep and some don’t....

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by J Patrick

I voted yes but in my experience it is highly dependent on the individual guitar...some go to sleep and some don’t....

Some guitars don’t have the opportunity to go to sleep as they get played regularly.

[ascotia]

I don't know what the true answer is but I suspect that the "lifeless" sound of long-unused guitar comes from the degradation and corrosion of the strings more than anything. Once you start playing, the strings quite literally shake the rust off at a microscopic level and they start to regain their original tone. I'm skeptical that tops and tonewoods can deaden and then 'reopen' and spring back to life with just a little bit of playing, but I don't rule out that I could be completely wrong about that.

[KevWind]

Only if you name them

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Only if you name them

You made me smile coz you remembered that thread about naming your guitars.

[Goodallboy]

I answered "not sure" because although I've always had guitars that stayed awake, I've not perfected the skill of being able to tell another what they're hearing, so that makes me "not sure".

[tdq]

Originally Posted by RalphH

I voted yes as I have experienced it, however I suspect that really, its the player making small technique adjustments to get the most from the guitar at an unconscious level, and when you're out of practice with a guitar it takes a little while for your brain to dial in those adjustments.

Best way to test that would be to lend a guitar to a friend for a few months and see if it comes back 'asleep' despite being played.

I voted yes too but I completely agree with this, so I really should have voted "No..but..."

[Panhandler]

Not to sure. But, I know my skills sure do!

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by tdq

I voted yes too but I completely agree with this, so I really should have voted "No..but..."

Haha. That's why I voted No. "No worries..."

Ralph's experience seemed very similar to mine. To be more specific, what I meant was that my sleeping guitar may have woken up (30%) but my playing and perception of the tone woke up by 70%.

[00045]

My Adirondack-Top guitars need a while to "wake up" after not being played for a while. With the Sitka Top guitars I never had the that experience.

[Cool555]

Thanks for all the votes and short stories!

Please feel free to vote and tell your stories of your guitar going to sleep if you have not done so.

[TBman]

I'd have to say no.