Guitar Volume

[programmer90]

If you didnt see my other post , im just starting to play guitar, i got my third lesson tomorrow and he is supposed to teach me "Sweet Home Alabama" but thats besides the point lol, I have an Art and Lutherie Wild Cherry, and I know it aint that loud of a guitar, but it is too loud for my liking, im always going to be playing to myself and the only time ill need volume is if i am playing in front of people, so i was wondering is there any way to decrease it, how much good would lighter guage strings do?

[miked58]

Lighter strings won't change the volume too much, at least in my experience. They will make it a bit easier on your fingers when you're just starting out, though.

 

One thing to do it to get comfortable playing with your fingers. That'll give you alot of volume control.

[JasmineTea]

Lighter strings will lower the volume, but why would you want to lower the volume? Everyone els is trying to get more volume, and you want less?

[digitalsnipe]

You worried about people hearing you "stumble" while you are learning? Like others here, I can't think of a reason to mute your guitar's sound. I remember a friend who was learning to play, about the time I was, and shoved a towel in his guitar because he played at times that would wake the rest of his family. That worked for him. Bit of a pain getting it out though.

 

I started out playing fingerstyle and that gives great control over volume. Matter of fact, I still cannot hold a flatpick successfully through an entire song.

[JasmineTea]

Originally posted by Tioga_Man the towel sounds like a good idea.

The towel is probly a better idea, but once when I was volume-consciouse, I taped a thin piece of cardboard over the sound-hole. Now they have sound-hole covers.

[edman316]

Buy a used cheap electric guitar on Ebay (you can get a decent electric for under $200.00). You can play it unplugged. Many guitarist use an unplugged electric late at night when everyone is sleeping. You can pick up a small practice amp with a headphone jack after you begin to improve.

 

Don't stuff anything inside of your acoustic. You risk damaging the bracing. Acoustics are designed to project sound / volume.

[edman316]

 

Originally posted by Tioga_Man I tried that for awhile, but you have to put on strings and adjust the action to feel like the acoustic. (which is how I broke my Traveler Guitar truss rod) Plus, I just have to hear the tone...low volume perhaps..but the wonderful acoustic tone.

 

 

I agree - an unplugged electric will not sound or play exactly like an acoustic. However, it shouldn't matter as much to a person just learning how to play. The end result is he will be able to practice playing at a low volume. The other benefit is the electric will be easier on his fingers.

[rgordonrn]

Play as loud as you want. If your wife complains, get that towel you were going to stuff into your guitar.

[flip333]

If you just use you fingers, you can play very quietly.

[zookie]

As you progress you'll intuitively figure out how to play louder and softer. If you're holding a pick, you can also use the fleshy part of your palm to lightly mute the strings while you play.

 

I thin-body guitar will be a little quieter than a dreadnought, but I don't see any reason for you to buy a different guitar.