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CBG and tone quality observation

Posted by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 28, 2010 at 10:11pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts
I mentioned this to a few and in my last thread.

So did I have a 'duh huh' moment and has everyone else not figured out that CBGs sound quite different when not held close to the chest/stomach? I, quite by accident, held my latest CBG away from my body to test the strings only to note that the tones were deeper and fuller. VERY strange but quite a good discovery. I tried this on my other ones and to different degrees this occurs as well.

So am I just realizing (and everyone else knows this) or what? If you haven't experienced this, try it.

-WY

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Replies

  • Mark Werner January 30, 2010 at 1:17pm
    The standard "embrochure" that classical players are taught is to have as little of the guitar in contact with the body as possible. Just the rear edge of the body resting on the thigh, the back of the instrument well away from the body, and the lower "side" angled so that only that edge contacts the thigh.

    From reading Guitar Player for many years, it's also common practice to mic the back of the guitar when recording an acoustic instrument in the studio.
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates January 29, 2010 at 9:43pm
    No sh17. I was thinking of this kind of device -- or something like it.

    thanks.

    -WY

    rich gallagher said:
    mandolin players use a kind of cage to isolate their body from the mando

    http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TGM1.htm
  • rich gallagher January 29, 2010 at 11:35am
    mandolin players use a kind of cage to isolate their body from the mando

    http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TGM1.htm
  • Diane in Chicago January 29, 2010 at 10:50am
    Yup, there are two camps: shoulder rest and no shoulder rest. I like the shoulder rest for comfort, don't really care about the sound difference.

    Wichita Sam said:
    fiddle players have known this a long time.
  • Outhouse Instruments January 29, 2010 at 6:27am
    Yep ... the thing is, a lot of people get hung up on the "soundboard" concept.
    The top of the box vibrates causing the sound.
    Thats true ... but what is also true is the whole stinkin' thing vibrates .. even more so if its not clutched up against your body.

    I've tried to train myself to play these with a corner on my leg an only my arm touching the edge.


    Matt
  • Wichita Sam January 28, 2010 at 10:37pm
    fiddle players have known this a long time.
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates January 28, 2010 at 10:36pm
    Crazy thing is, and not surprising, its not as noticeable on a standard 6 string acoustic. I'm sure its the geometry and acoustics that makes the difference. Just blew me away that this much effect could happen.

    Thanks for the reply.

    -WY

    Tim said:
    your body is absorbing some of the energy when its held to you.
  • Tim January 28, 2010 at 10:24pm
    your body is absorbing some of the energy when its held to you.
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