#1
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Guitars and harmonics
What is it about some guitars that makes them have easier or louder harmonics than others?
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#2
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But seriously, it's literally all of the variables of materials and construction working together. Some obvious contributors are wood types and thicknesses, bracing type and pattern, body dimensions, and string choice. |
#3
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Ok, so if your guitar is being setup professionally, there isn't much you can do in order to try and get it to have louder harmonics I guess then, right?
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#4
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I would, however, encourage you to try a whole bunch of different strings, going beyond the Martin/D'Addario/Ernie Ball world. Try some Thomastik Infield, Pyramid, Curt Mangan, etc. , and experiment with Phosphor Bronze, 80/20, monel, and other metallurgic variations. |
#5
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Yeah this? Do you mean overtones (that harmonic bloom), or do you mean like natural harmonics at the nodes (12th fret, 7th fret, etc) and pinch harmonics? The answer in both cases is likely how well intonated the fretboard is and how lightly built and braced the top is (a factor which the top wood selection can influence).
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Too many guitars and a couple of banjos |
#6
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Also how you can use your finger to do it properly... just thought I would add as it took me ages to do it right ...😳
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#7
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I’m assuming you are referencing 5th, 7th, and 12th felt harmonics. If so I have wondered the same thing. Some of my guitars ring like a bell. Others, not so much
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Schenk Grand FingerStyle, Richard Gilewitz signature Emerald X7 Taylor 555 |
#8
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So, to be clear, I shouldn't be able to produce harmonics like Leo Kottke after a year or so of intermittent practice
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Breedlove Masterclass Dread - Sitka/Koa Breedlove Masterclass Concert - Sitka/BRW Seagull Artist Deluxe CE Seagull Artist Element Furch G22CR-C Several other exceptional guitars, but these make me smile and keep me inspired! |
#9
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Technique aside, I would think a tighter top that favors trebles would be more conducive to harmonics which regardless of how they are produced are just higher notes - the string doesn't care how it was excited,
Mike |
#10
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It seems to me that heavier strings would produce "better" harmonics. A light top wouldn't hurt.
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Rodger Knox, PE 1917 Martin 0-28 1956 Gibson J-50 et al |
#11
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They do. The thicker the strings, the stronger the harmonics that sound from the nodes at the 12th, 7th, 5th, 4th, 3rd frets, etc.
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#12
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It takes some practice to get the positioning right, and to get used to the technique, but it's pretty cool once you get it down well enough. I prefer this way of doing it I find. I haven't seen anyone else do it that way though, but I find there are some nice advantages to it, like doing two notes at once for example. That guitar actually has pretty nice harmonics, but my Taylor, which is in the shop, which is why I'm wondering, doesn't appear to have such easy and strong harmonics, and you'd expect the opposite. I'm wondering if the luthier could do anything to try and improve that. Last edited by Monk of Funk; 05-07-2019 at 10:41 PM. |
#13
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"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen. |
#14
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Ya, there are luthier types here though also, so I thought they may have suggestions before I call him up.
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