99% of the general population

[Whalebot]

Eric Martin mentioned in my John Mayer thread that 99% of the general poulation wouldn't notice that a guitar was a signature model. I agree, I'll even go one step further. My wif e can barely distinguish one guitar from another. (unless it's my electric) I'm reasonably sure that when I'm playing open mic, next to none of the people there know that I'm playing a Martin OM-21 with a K&K Pure western mini passive pickup. The host (who is really good) didn't know the model Martin that he was playing (000-16SGTNE nylon string) My wife thinks that I'm the only one analyzing the sound and tone. I think that she's right. I still like Martins and Larrivees over Taylors though.

[Hudman]

 

Originally posted by Whalebot Eric Martin mentioned in my John Mayer thread that 99% of the general poulation wouldn't notice that a guitar was a signature model. I agree, I'll even go one step further. My wif e can barely distinguish one guitar from another. (unless it's my electric) I'm reasonably sure that when I'm playing open mic, next to none of the people there know that I'm playing a Martin OM-21 with a K&K Pure western mini passive pickup. The host (who is really good) didn't know the model Martin that he was playing (000-16SGTNE nylon string) My wife thinks that I'm the only one analyzing the sound and tone. I think that she's right. I still like Martins and Larrivees over Taylors though.

 

 

You are correct. This place is made up of guitar fanatics. It will seriously skew your view of reality. Most people listen to music they like. They don't care who wrote it or what brand underwear they had on when they recorded it.

 

In other words: We get a tad bit carried away.

[knockwood]

 

Originally posted by Hudman Most people listen to music they like. They don't care who wrote it or what brand underwear they had on when they recorded it.

 

 

Well, that's just stupid. Have you ever tried to play a complicated fingerstyle piece while wearing really tight underwear? There is a glaring difference in tonal quality even my cats would notice. I often think underpants are the most undervalued, overlooked component of tone production in all of acoustic guitardom, which is why I will be launching a new line of underpants for guitar players next spring.

 

No, they will not be sold under the name "Knockwood."

[drnihili]

You have to be a bit careful here.

 

99% of the population won't know whether you are playing a nylon strung classical or a steel strung dreadnought. They don't care. However, whether they know there's a difference or not, they may prefer the sound of one instrument over the other without even realizing that it's the instrument that makes the difference.

 

I don't thiink it's silly for an artist to agonize over difference in different models. They make a difference to how he or she sounds and to how comfortable he or she is with the instrument. These are important. The general population need not be aware of the differences in order to be affected by them.

 

(But the guy with the John Mayer Martin is indeed being silly.)

[Whalebot]

 

Originally posted by drnihili I don't thiink it's silly for an artist to agonize over difference in different models. They make a difference to how he or she sounds and to how comfortable he or she is with the instrument.

 

I agree

[Cldplytkmn]

if it makes the dude uncomfortable, justifyably or not, then he should ditch it... its not worth any kind of hinderance...

 

my wife can tell the difference between my bird and my larrivee when i play the same songs on them... she knows that "i see monsters" sounds better on my larrivee and a few other things... but this is sitting five feet from me on the bed... through amplification? good luck...

 

I'm sure there are tattoo artists who will only use "their brand" of needle, etc... you won't know the difference from the end result sometimes, but if he's comfortable with that brand/type, the end result will be a better, more perfect piece... he will also take more pride in the piece... i won't spell out the similarities...

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by knockwood Well, that's just stupid. Have you ever tried to play a complicated fingerstyle piece while wearing really tight underwear? There is a glaring difference in tonal quality even my cats would notice. I often think underpants are the most undervalued, overlooked component of tone production in all of acoustic guitardom, which is why I will be launching a new line of underpants for guitar players next spring. No, they will not be sold under the name "Knockwood."

 

So...I should start wearing underwear after all these years?

[Michael Martin]

 

Originally posted by Whalebot I'm reasonably sure that when I'm playing open mic, next to none of the people there know that I'm playing a Martin OM-21 with a K&K Pure western mini passive pickup...My wife thinks that I'm the only one analyzing the sound and tone. I think that she's right.

 

At my open mike venue, all the players pay attention to gear, tone, etc. Not sure that non-players notice guitars much, but we players always compare notes and ask about how the sound was out in the room after we play. I think I mentioned this in an earlier thread, but we are all pretty much in agreement that the best tone among regular players is an Ibanez that cost the owner less than $400 new. And there are plenty of Gibsons, Taylors, Martins, higher-end Alavarezes and Taks...

 

So whacha gonna do...

[LaurentB]

Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall So...I should start wearing underwear after all these years?

 

Yes, and do pay attention to the gauge of the elastic; it makes all the difference.

[knockwood]

Originally posted by Cldplytkmn my wife

 

Admit it, man. It's a giant kick using that phrase, isn't it? Congrats.

[Queequeg]

 

Originally posted by Hudman You are correct. This place is made up of guitar fanatics. It will seriously skew your view of reality. Most people listen to music they like. They don't care who wrote it or what brand underwear they had on when they recorded it. In other words: We get a tad bit carried away.

 

apologies in advance for the cross-threading here, but it seems properly suited in this one, too...

 

Originally posted by Michael Martin I love my callouses. They are thick, deep and denty. I admire them often. They sometimes hang up on strings a bit but that's just part of the fabulousness of having such a vastly increased % of playing music in my life these last couple of years.

 

wow.

most of my non-musical friends think I'm wacko when it comes to guitar-related stuff.

I should send them a link to this forum.

Give 'em a whole new perspective.

Thanks guys, for resetting the bar.

 

(and now I'm gonna wipe the fingernail dust out from under the strings between the soundhole and the bridge...)

[theGOOCH]

 

Originally posted by knockwood Well, that's just stupid. Have you ever tried to play a complicated fingerstyle piece while wearing really tight underwear? There is a glaring difference in tonal quality even my cats would notice. I often think underpants are the most undervalued, overlooked component of tone production in all of acoustic guitardom, which is why I will be launching a new line of underpants for guitar players next spring. No, they will not be sold under the name "Knockwood."

 

 

Make sure they're padded in the seat to make those damn barstools more comfortable to sit on.

 

 

....and no offense TAH, but you made me get a mental image I really hope I can forget:D

[Queequeg]

 

Originally posted by Hudman You are correct. This place is made up of guitar fanatics. It will seriously skew your view of reality. Most people listen to music they like. In other words: We get a tad bit carried away.

 

apologies in advance for the cross-threading here, but it seems properly suited in this one, too...

 

Originally posted by Michael Martin I love my callouses. They are thick, deep and denty. I admire them often. They sometimes hang up on strings a bit but that's just part of the fabulousness of having such a vastly increased % of playing music in my life.

 

wow.

most of my non-musical friends think I'm wacko when it comes to guitar-related stuff.

I should send them a link to this forum.

Give 'em a whole new perspective.

Thanks guys, for resetting the bar.

 

(and now I'm gonna wipe the fingernail dust out from under the strings between the soundhole and the bridge...)

[Steverino]

So, it's okay to take my Ovation to the next open mic?

[Queequeg]

 

Originally posted by Hudman You are correct. This place is made up of guitar fanatics. It will seriously skew your view of reality. They don't care who wrote it or what brand underwear they had on when they recorded it. In other words: We get a tad bit carried away.

 

apologies in advance for the cross-threading here, but it seems properly suited in this one, too...

 

Originally posted by Michael Martin I love my callouses. They are thick, deep and denty. I admire them often. They sometimes hang up on strings a bit but that's just part of the fabulousness of having such a vastly increased % of playing music in my life these last couple of years.

 

wow.

most of my non-musical friends think I'm wacko when it comes to guitar-related stuff.

I should send them a link to this forum.

Give 'em a whole new perspective.

Thanks guys, for resetting the bar.

 

(and now I'm gonna wipe the fingernail dust out from under the strings between the soundhole and the bridge...)

[knockwood]

Originally posted by Terry Allan Hall So...I should start wearing underwear after all these years?

 

Commando can work. Depends on the musical genre.

[Steverino]

So, it's okay to take my Ovation to the next open mic?

[Cldplytkmn]

Originally posted by knockwood Admit it, man. It's a giant kick using that phrase, isn't it? Congrats.

 

it still sticks halfway out sometimes as i process all the implications of it... but yeah... she's a keeper... has no problem with a tall stack of guitar cases...

[Michael Martin]

 

Originally posted by Steverino So, it's okay to take my Ovation to the next open mic?

 

Sure! A potluck open mike. We can use it to serve pasta salad...although you will have to remove the strings...

[335clone]

 

Originally posted by Michael Martin Sure! A potluck open mike. We can use it to serve pasta salad...although you will have to remove the strings...

 

 

Leave the strings on, and you can use it to make fettucinni

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by drafty lil' ol' me So...I should start wearing underwear after all these years?

Originally posted by LaurentB Yes, and do pay attention to the gauge of the elastic; it makes all the difference.

Originally posted by theGOOCH ...and no offense TAH, but you made me get a mental image I really hope I can forget:D

Originally posted by knockwood Commando can work. Depends on the musical genre.

 

This Forum is ALWAYS expanding my horizens!

[brahmz118]

I wonder if developing an ear for music detracts from developing an ear for tonal properties. I've always felt that I'm fairly deficient in the latter -- I might hear a tonal difference between two guitars but the difference rarely seems significant to me. I'd much rather think about the notes that are being played and how those notes are organized.

 

I wish I could develop an ear for quality in material, construction, etc. I am a little envious of those individuals who can immediately identify the sound of an authentic Stradivarius violin or a pre-war Gibson banjo. Or even just one brand of guitar from another. It has to be extremely obvious for me -- nylon strings vs. steel (but through a pickup I become unsure again), or 12-string vs. 6-string, or MIDI file vs. live musician. However, the musical aspects are readily apparent to me -- the notes, the harmonies, the rhythm, etc.

 

I've just been noticing that a lot of my instrument purchases are based on features more than sound (i.e., durability, playability, the weight, the look). So wonder if I fall into that 99% of the population that seems to lack the discriminatory skills discussed in this thread, even though I love guitars and obsess over them in my own way.