Instrument Tone

[Eric_K]

I thought this might be of interest.
It's test results from professional violinists comparing old $$$$$$ violins to new violins.



Eric

[ken cierp]

Good stuff! -- to me not surprising. One can spend an afternoon at Elderly and watch the associates haul out vintage instrument after vintage instrument for comparisons -- in the long run "players" end up buying new guitars. The old timey guitars while collectibles by their very nature are not necessarily what the listener or the player really wants. Its so subjective.

[TonyinNYC]

I knew it!!
Nobody can tell the difference!

[Ray Ussery]

I knew it!!
Nobody can tell the difference!

Oh I think you can tell the "Difference" but like Ken said, it's all subjective, not everybody LIKES the sound of vintage instruments, that's not what THEY want to hear...
I have a really hard time getting used to the sound or "Tone" of a L00 Gibson and yet they are highly sought after in some circles, those that play or are into the sound of "Soul" and the old Blues it just fits...but by and large the type of music I play just doesn't work with that "Sound" not that it's BAD...it just isn't what I happen to Like...and it changes...I used to think (Still do in some situations) that the big full booming sound of a late 40s early 50's J200 couldn't be beat...but now that I'm an old man, I have a real hankering for the sound and feel of a good 00-12...I happen to like the sound of an "X" braced guitar over "Ladder" bracing and I believe I can tell the difference, where someone else would not..WOW..."Subjective " covers a lot of territory!
But again, that just ME!

Another thing that can change things is strings. I can really tel the difference in string size, type and make on any particular instrument.

Some people have "Warm hands" when they play and others are "DARK" on any guitar...I can hear the difference...or at least I THINK I can.... and that's what makes it subjective.

But it's ok Tony, I STILL like you! HAHAHAHA

Ray :)

[ken cierp]

I saw Peter Rowan in concert on PBS a few days ago and he made the comment that while he had other superb hand made guitars (Preston Thompson's!!) for his current new album he decided to exclusively use his 1937 D18 because it had a certain something he could not explain -- Huh? If we could only bottle that "certain something" -- Actually I'd be happy with a real description!

[Ray Ussery]

No kidding Ken, you'd be a millionaire MANY times over...

Ray:)

[Brian Itzkin]

for his current new album he decided to exclusively use his 1937 D18 because it had a certain something he could not explain -- Huh? If we could only bottle that "certain something" -- Actually I'd be happy with a real description!

I think that "certain something" is prestige and considering that one's perception is one's reality, perhaps he might just think it's a better guitar, therefore it is. On a practical side, maybe the guitar just sounds good because it had been played in for so long.


A great sounding strad or a great sounding modern violin will both sound great, so whats the point over arguing whats better?