Members C70man Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 I got up this morning and because i didnt turn on the furnace it was about 69 degrees in the house. I live in Tampa and i really didnt see the need to put it on... Anyhow...i picked up my guitar that usually remains on my guitar stand and guess what? It was pretty cold to the touch, but what an incredible sound. Maybe its just me and being Saturday, but what a difference. The strings are really ringing this morning...I am going to record a little, on my cheapy computer mic, and compare it to tomorrow. Is there a technical reason for this? Or am i just hearing differently because my ears are cooler?
Members Hudman Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 Chances are your humidity level dropped over night. My guitars sound their best when the humidity dips below 45% or so.
Members LaurentB Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 I got up this morning and because i didnt turn on the furnace it was about 69 degrees in the house. I live in Tampa and i really didnt see the need to put it on... Anyhow...i picked up my guitar that usually remains on my guitar stand and guess what? It was pretty cold to the touch, but what an incredible sound. Maybe its just me and being Saturday, but what a difference. The strings are really ringing this morning...I am going to record a little, on my cheapy computer mic, and compare it to tomorrow. Is there a technical reason for this? Or am i just hearing differently because my ears are cooler? I don't know why this is, but I have exactly the same experience, guitars sounding much more crisp and bright in such circumstances.
Members Hudman Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 I don't know why this is, but I have exactly the same experience, guitars sounding much more crisp and bright in such circumstances. Pay attention to the humidity level on the days your guitar sounds it's best. My guitar sounds completely different when the humidity level goes above 65%. It sounds amazing when the humidity level drops in the mid to low 40% range.
Members totamus Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 There is a real and noticeable difference, but I don't believe its the guitar - its the air. Sound travels through air differently at different temperatures and humidities. I suspect that the difference in the transmission characteristics of air is what we hear, and yes I think guitar sounds much better in cold crisp air!
Members Samilyn Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 There is a real and noticeable difference, but I don't believe its the guitar - its the air. Sound travels through air differently at different temperatures and humidities. I suspect that the difference in the transmission characteristics of air is what we hear, and yes I think guitar sounds much better in cold crisp air! +1:thu: I love cold, crisp mornings because here in Louisiana, my git customarily sounds like somebody poured it full of swamp mud. Cold + crisp = me play and play and play and play and ........................
Members LaurentB Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 Pay attention to the humidity level on the days your guitar sounds it's best. My guitar sounds completely different when the humidity level goes above 65%. It sounds amazing when the humidity level drops in the mid to low 40% range. I got a humidity gauge recently, I'll watch that.
Members Fred Fartboski Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 Is there a technical reason for this? Or am i just hearing differently because my ears are cooler? Pretty much everything everything "technical", physical and emotional affects the way one plays a musical instrument, and the way it responds."cooler ears" don't hurt
Members guitarist21 Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 I hate playing guitar when my hands are cold.
Members C70man Posted November 17, 2007 Author Members Posted November 17, 2007 Chances are your humidity level dropped over night. My guitars sound their best when the humidity dips below 45% or so. I'm going to figure out this humidity thing..thanks for the tip. Florida has horribly high humidity. ...But for the next 3 months or so its going to improve dramatically. My guitar sounds like a different guitar...it takes away some of the gassing I have been experiencing of late. I also just put some new Martins on and the guitar needed its 24 hrs to adjust properly as well. I used to literally play strings until they "muttered" out to be changed. Now I just replace them every two-three weeks.
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 It's currently 28 F here right now in Ottawa. Tonight will be even colder The relative humidity is 41%...time to refill the humidifiers.
Members Scodiddly Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 I've noticed changes in how my 314 sounds and responds with humidity. Does seem a bit better when on the dry side. Hmm...
Members Sparhawk Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 Living close to the cost in North Florida (just south of Tallahassee), I have not had the humidity go below 50% in the house. Sometimes I wish it would, but all my guitars love it.. We rarely run the heat, just the fireplace in the winter. When taking showers, we leave the doors open (I keep all my guitars in my office right out side that wonderfull moister source). Enjoy the tone when you get it and play it long when you do.
Members rjoxyz Posted November 17, 2007 Members Posted November 17, 2007 Pay attention to the humidity level on the days your guitar sounds it's best. My guitar sounds completely different when the humidity level goes above 65%. It sounds amazing when the humidity level drops in the mid to low 40% range. Yep. +1
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