The "problem" with comparing radically different-sounding guitars....

[d03nut]

You can skip ahead to the guitar portion of my thread if you're impatient with Off-T's.

 

First, analogy time:

 

My brother drives a "sports-tuned" car, I OTOH, not. Whenever, I drive his car for fun, I find his clutch to be very stiff. Driving "back-to-back" with my car, I find mine to be as smooth as butter. My brother has the opposite view in that he finds mine to be just "way too soft" offering zero-resistance.

 

It happened recently, that I had his car in my possession for a few days. When I went back to my car, I too found the clutch too soft and 'unacceptable". A couple of days later, however, I didn't feel that way anymore.

 

Guitar-related part:

 

Now that I have 2 different guitars (all-rose and solid-top with lam-cherry b/s) a similar thing is happening.

 

I play my Lam and I swear I'm convinced that I like its' sound, as do others. But when I play the all-solid one right after, it's like oh my god, the laminated one sounds so boxy. That's what was missing. The reverse also happens, maybe not to the same extent but it is noticeable.

 

My point: I find the tones on my two guitars "wanting" only in relation to one another. Otherwise, both sound (sufficiently) good on their own.

 

I know I said in a previous thread that my "tone memory" is weak and that I have to A/B/C....guitars in order to know which sounds good (better). But maybe that kind of approach is what causes me to "doubt" the sound of a guitar in the first place leading to unwanted and unhealthy C&A (craving and gas).

 

Maybe U2 is right. One.

 

p.s. this here thread is the last of a series of similarly-themed threads by me. Thanks for your patience.

[JasmineTea]

You forgot to say something like "thank you, and good night".

[catdaddy]

Originally posted by d03nut My point: I find the tones on my two guitars "wanting" only in relation to one another. Otherwise, both sound (sufficiently) good on their own.

 

 

 

That's pretty much been my experience also. My "ear" seems to adjust to one instrument making the other seem not quite right when I first pick it up. However In a short time of playing that guitar sounds "right" again.

 

 

 

And by the way apologizing for your thread topics is totally unneccesary especially considering the content of some threads I've seen lately from others.

[Hudman]

Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches taste great when you are hungry. Steak tastes better.

Guitars are the same way. I thought my Alvarez RD20S (laminate / solid top) was great until I picked up my Larrivee L-03.

[Kap'n]

Originally posted by Hudman Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches taste great when you are hungry. Steak tastes better.

But you can have skirt steak, or strip steak or ribeye....

Or lobster.

And sometimes, only a PBJ will do.

[MyM.O.]

Originally posted by Kap'n But you can have skirt steak, or strip steak or ribeye.... Or lobster. And sometimes, only a PBJ will do.

And that's why we have GAS

[Frets99]

Originally posted by MyM.O. And that's why we have GAS

[TXTooMuch]

Originally posted by Frets99

I am almost thinking that picture should be my avatar.

[flip333]

Perception of quality is variable from person to person. It also changes with an individual person's circumstances.

I have been GASing for a Martin 000-15S. But I have been enjoying my current acoustic "enough" so I am not immediately motivated to go get another.

My Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are OK for now.

d03nut, this is a good thread. You presented a great analogy for a very common problem with guitar appreciation.

Thank you.

[Laserpuls]

First of, no need for an apology.
This phenomenon is what keep guitar bizz going, and GASsers happy.

That's why I now have 4 guitars, and switch according to mood, inspiration, time, songs I want to play.

They are so different, and that is exactly what I wanted them to be: very different in sound and feel.

At this stage, I am thinking about having a custom guitar built in about 2 years time; I am playing as many different guitars as I can to shop for size and sound references. Later on I'll try to get as close a description as I can to start talking to a luthier.

As for A/Bing guitars: I did so several times over, but never bought on these moments. That's part of my search for 'my' sound. Guitars, even same models, can sound so different.
Not to speak of feel so different!

I always bought them from my gut feeling, except for the Seagull: played many, ordered one, bought the one that came in. No regrets.

Don't worry, be happy.
Have fun!