Acoustic sounds 'tinny' . . . help available?

[eflat]

Hi, I've got a Fender DG-14S acoustic, which I've had for some time. However, both my friends and my instructor [still learnin'] have commented that it sounds 'tinny' at times.

Now, I am aware that my guitar is no Martin or Taylor etc, but is there a way to make it sound more bass-like?

 

I'm thinking it might just be the strings that could make the difference, but the strings are stock fender ones .. .

 

Has anyone had a similar sound, or does anyone know how to fix this?

 

ANY help would be appreciated. . .gig coming up. . .

[Hudman]

 

Originally posted by patrick_fox Hi, I've got a Fender DG-14S acoustic, which I've had for some time. However, both my friends and my instructor [still learnin'] have commented that it sounds 'tinny' at times. Now, I am aware that my guitar is no Martin or Taylor etc, but is there a way to make it sound more bass-like? I'm thinking it might just be the strings that could make the difference, but the strings are stock fender ones .. . Has anyone had a similar sound, or does anyone know how to fix this? ANY help would be appreciated. . .gig coming up. . .

 

 

You still have the stock strings on it? Change them today.

[d03nut]

Sometimes "tinny" sounding is good for recording purposes.

[babablowfish]

The lighter the guage, the more likely that the strings will sound "tinny." Different brands and different guages of strings make a huge difference. I use Martin Phosphor Bronze Medium guage. The mediums will put more tension on the neck and will require more finger pressure, but I keep my guitars permanently tuned down a full step and it works for me. There are all sorts of string formulatons including silk and stelel, bronze, nickel, blah, blah blah. Anyway, experiment and you will find the brand, formulation and guage that works for you.

[eflat]

yeah I bought it like that, and never got round to changing them.

 

I heard every 3-4 months you should change your strings on an electric, is it the same or more or less for acoustics?

[min7b5]

The biggest effect would be to raise the saddle a bit. That should fill out the tone some. While your at it, maybe change the saddle from plastic to bone.

[JasmineTea]

Months? Some people change them once a week. I think once a month is a lot, but I'm lazy. If I was gigging I'd probly change them once a week. I suggest you change them when the intonation starts going out. That could be anywhere from a week to a month or so depending on how much you play.

 

There's not much you can do to increase the bass. Raising the saddle can help, but it also raises the action. So there's a comprimise you'll have to make. Best thing would be to get a bassier guitar.

[Whalebot]

It's a Fender, that's how they sound. Sorry. But true.

[knockwood]

 

Originally posted by babablowfish The lighter the guage, the more likely that the strings will sound "tinny." Different brands and different guages of strings make a huge difference. I use Martin Phosphor Bronze Medium guage. The mediums will put more tension on the neck and will require more finger pressure, but I keep my guitars permanently tuned down a full step and it works for me. There are all sorts of string formulatons including silk and stelel, bronze, nickel, blah, blah blah. Anyway, experiment and you will find the brand, formulation and guage that works for you.

 

 

+1

 

Heavier strings and tuning down slightly (a full step may be a little steep) should certainly help, although the latter may not be practical during your lessons - I'd imagine you'll want to be in pitch with your teacher. I would recommend plain phosphor/bronze over 80/20 or 80/15, because the latter is made to be brighter and may only exacerbate your tinny problem. I've never tried silk & steel. You may also want to try ebony bridge pins - Will not make a massive difference, but it's an inexpensive change and I figure every little bit helps.

 

Sounds like it is high time you changed your strings. How often you change 'em depends on how the guitar sounds to you. I generally change strings about every two weeks - three at the outside. Different for everyone, but several months is probably pushing it.

[rh2d]

I agree with all of the above. There should be no need to tune it down but that would help if you don't have to be at concert pitch. Your guitar is your main problem. Almost for sure it is made in Korea by the same factory that makes most of the guitars comming out of Korea. You should start looking for another made here in the U.S. or Canada. That for sure will fix your problem if you check out several for bass.