what affects the sound of an acoustic guitar?
acoustic guitar February 21st, 2010I have a guitar and when I strum the strings it gives me a flat plain sound. I don’t know if its the strings or not. I heard that the type of wood changes the sound of the guitar. Is that why some acoustic guitars cost more than others?
Old strings will give a flat sound without a doubt. Change the strings for a noticeable difference in sound. It is definitely true that wood affects the sound of a guitar. The other answers appear correct but i would also add that the size, depth, and shape of the body profoundly affect sound and volume also. The bridge on an acoustic guitar also is very important seeing how the bridge transfers the strings vibrations to the top.
As far as price difference go hardware and adornments add a lot of unnecessary cost to a guitar. The addition of gold hardware and any type of inlay(mother of pearl,abalone,Etc…) can turn a guitar that costs several hundred dollars into a guitar that can get into the thousands.
February 21st, 2010 at 6:14 am
i’m gonna try to skim trough what affects the sound:
Wood-you can get a cheap mixwood body with a rosewood fingerdobard, or an abalone bod and neck with an ebony fingerboard, the 2 extremities, for an acoustic guitar
Strings-the strings affect it since its gage changes the "twangines" that it has. a gage 12 does not go a gibson jumbo.
Size-jumbo, nought, small, smaller, thinbodies.
Method of playing-pick or fingering
choose what best suits you and you’ll the tone desired
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February 21st, 2010 at 6:36 am
The wood or woods they used to build it and the STRINGS. The better guitars are braced and tuned for a particular type of string… Acoustics use Spruce for a top much of the time while Classical guitars use Cedar…
The making of guitars is as much artistry and cut and try as it is science… which is why a Martin will cost you more than a First Act from Wal-Mart.
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February 21st, 2010 at 6:41 am
Old strings will give a flat sound without a doubt. Change the strings for a noticeable difference in sound. It is definitely true that wood affects the sound of a guitar. The other answers appear correct but i would also add that the size, depth, and shape of the body profoundly affect sound and volume also. The bridge on an acoustic guitar also is very important seeing how the bridge transfers the strings vibrations to the top.
As far as price difference go hardware and adornments add a lot of unnecessary cost to a guitar. The addition of gold hardware and any type of inlay(mother of pearl,abalone,Etc…) can turn a guitar that costs several hundred dollars into a guitar that can get into the thousands.
References :
February 21st, 2010 at 7:09 am
Everything.
Wood [species, grain, solid/laminate, thickness, finish, damage to the wood]
Body size, style
Bracing, glue
Neck construction and attachment
Bridge design, saddle, nut, bridge pins
Strings
Muting from your body, arm and hand
Humidity
Easiest change is new strings. New strings can make a dramatic difference. If it is a cheap guitar, then there is little you can do except replace it with a better one.
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