how do the following affect guitar sound?

[jackie_thompsen]

Shopping for a guitar and considering several models -

 

I am wondering how the following affect the sound of an acoustic guitar, all else being equal:

 

 

 

1) regular shape vs cutaway shape

 

 

 

2) solid spruce top (on a new guitar, not aged) vs laminate spruce top

 

 

 

3) dreadnought shape/size vs grand auditorium shape/size

 

 

 

4) bronze strings vs phosphor bronze strings

 

 

Thanks in advance-

[Freeman Keller]

Thanks in advance-

 

 

1) A cutaway reduces the sound box volume which should change the resonance frequency (probably make it a little higher - think about beating a smaller drum). I have also seen a finite element model of the top and it does shift some nodal points. However I really doubt that you will hear a huge difference.

 

2) Assuming all other things the same (thickness, bracing, the reset of the guitar construction the solid wood should vibrate more freely (the laminated top will be more damped). However (A) all things are not the same (laminated is usually use on guitars built to a much lower standard) and (B) some folks on this forum think that my old plywood cheapie sounds pretty darn good.

 

3) A dread has a much larger sound box and thus a lower resonate frequency. They tend to be oriented towards the bass. A GA tends to be better balanced across the strings.

 

4) Seek out the Great String Test thread (it is linked at the end of the Sick Guitar sticky or wait for the Annex) and listen for yourself.

 

Also, some good places to listen to different sizes, shapes, and construction of gits (but no laminated tops) are

 

http://www.thepodium.com/t-soundsamples.aspx

 

http://www.maurysmusic.com/martin_guitar_video_clips

 

be sure when you compare things that you hold everything else constant - ie if you are comparing a dread to a GA (or OM) make sure they are the same woods, bracing, strung the same, yadd yadda. I would also suggest that while shopping take a little recorder with you and record everything you play. Write down your impressions (and comments like the type and age of strings, feel, setup, etc). Go home, turn off the lights and listen.... Tell us what you hear