#1
|
|||
|
|||
Best tonewoods for dead strings
Hi all,
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! I'm looking into a new guitar and wondering what people's thoughts are on tonewoods that suit dead strings? In my experience, for the top, spruce works best for me. I've found mahogany or cedar tops to play best with relatively live strings. This could be due to my light fingerstyle playing. I've only ever tried Sitka spruce though so I'm wondering how people feel about Adirondack tops with dead strings? Here's what I'm less convinced of: What works best for the back and sides? I have personally found Sapele to sound pretty brittle with played in strings. What are people's preferences between mahogany and rosewood? It seems to me that the overtones from rosewood might compliment the dry sound from dead strings. Will mahogany sound too dry? I realise this is all down to personal preference but I'm curious to hear people's opinions/experiences. Thanks! |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Shane, Bro, Yikes! Don't complicate your mind over this! Just change your strings when they begin to fade regardless of whatever tonewood combination your guitars are crafted out of.
__________________
Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for the reply SpruceTop!
My mistake! I should have specified - I have a big preference for dead strings. Big fan of the Nick drake style sound. Love the warmth. I like to hear the guitar more than the strings. Looking for a tonewood combination that compliments the dead string sound. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I like the sound of well played in strings as well. Mahogany with Lutz or European Spruce is a nice combo. Strumming sounds better to my ears when the strings are past their best, and there can be a nice classical smoothness for fingerpicking.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Buy a Gibson. Both of mine sound great when the strings get old.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Seems like Gibsons can get away with dead strings and produce a dry, plaintive voicing.
__________________
Nothing bothers me unless I let it. Martin D18 Gibson J45 Gibson J15 Fender Copperburst Telecaster Squier CV 50 Stratocaster Squier CV 50 Telecaster |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
I'm starting to wonder if my Guild D40 sounds pretty good with dread strings, they strings are coated on it but they're dying, and they don't sound too bad, though I think I like newer strings. The D40 is Sitka top and hog b/s.
My LL16 doesn't sound good with dead strings at all to my ears, it's Engelmen top and rosewood b/s. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Of the guitars that I own and play, my mahogany guitars sound better with dead strings than my rosewood guitars. My all mahogany parlor gets really plunky and funky sounding. Great for blues.
Best, Jayne |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
And I would add that the ‘thumpy’ bass Gibsons are known for get an even thumpier, washtub-bass quality as the strings die - that I personally find rather endearing.
|
|
Tags |
dead strings, mahogany, rosewood, spruce, tonewoods |
|