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Wetdog

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  1. Great idea but my wife would see through that immediately. I've seriously considered getting into this topic in a scientific way but it would be a difficult experiment to design because of all the variables. Think of how many sounds we can make by slightly altering the strength of attack, shifting the angle of a flat pick or by how close to the bridge we pluck. Then there are the overtones and sub-harmonics sounded on other strings. The trick would be to keep all variables but one consistent, then change that one, say string brand, and make it repeatable. I'm afraid it would entail using some robotic string plucker. This then would all get fed into an oscilloscope and analyzed. If I got into that there would be no time to make music! I had a similar discussion on the Epiphone board when some of those folks claimed their brand new Asian built, mass produced Epiphones sounded as "good" as any vintage or hand built guitar out there including Gibsons, Martins or "boutique" one-off custom guitars. One guy even claimed that since he was a studio "engineer" he had a special ear to detect those nuances. It is of note to consider what guys like Robert Benedetto, the highly acclaimed archtop builder says about high-end custom built guitars and their components. For instance when he builds an archtop he does so with a solid wooden bridge and solid wooden tailpiece similar to a violin. He claims that these components transmit sound and resonate "better" than their traditional metal/wood counterparts. The tops and backs of his guitars are each "tap tuned" by ear like the masters of old did to guitars and violins. His guitars go for $30K+. They also sound to my ear, REALLY good for the music they are designed to play. That being said, I long for some accurate way to measure what is being discussed in this thread other than somebody claiming that their bridge saddles made from fossilized T-Rex teeth make a their music sound better. Man, there is no accounting for cool JuJu. B)
  2. I bought a set of Sunbeams for my Martin Jumbo and really liked the sound. I liked their rap on why they had a lot of sustain which they did. So I went and found a 10 set pack at a substantially reduced price on eBay. BUYER BEWARE! The high E, B and G strings on all the packs had significant lumpy oxidation (rust) on them. I cleaned them up as best as I could while installing and using each set. I didn't want to just throw them all away. They actually sounded okay but I could always feel the spots. It was hard to tell if the sound of the string had been effected. Now after several years I still have a pack or two left. I'll never buy like that again. I just bought some D'Addario 12-53s that I will try next. Interesting that the DRs are 12-54 but the D'Addarios are 12-53. Also interesting is that the last time we hear our old strings, they are just that; old and played out, so the new strings we install always sound better. I'm always skeptical when folks say, "sound better," "more sustain," "more balanced" etc. It's all so subjective. I wish a serious scientist would do some actual objective studies and show us "artists" what an oscilloscope shows we are really hearing. Anyone out there hear of such a study? B)
  3. Greetings to jp9 and welcome. I may be wrong but, it sort of sounds like you think you are writing to the Gibson board of directors. This is a forum of and for folks interested in Gibson guitars. That being said I'll address your issue. Building a good guitar is an expensive process done with fine woods and expert hands. I'm all for renewable American woods. I'm also for providing a living wage to unskilled workers, a very decent wage to skilled workers, and high wages to very skilled crafts-people, artisans and artists. Unfortunately, what you ask is a seriously difficult if not impossible task. If you do some research you'll find out why. Here are some questions for you to help you understand why: How long does it take a walnut or spruce tree to grow to maturity suitable to build a 17" guitar? Who will harvest the tree and allow it to dry to the proper level? What kind of training, skill, and expertise does it take to build a J-45? How much should an expert craftsman make? What tools does it take to build a guitar? What wage will the craftspeople make that build those tools? Wouldn't it be nice if all aspiring fiddle players had a Stradivarius to learn on? It just ain't so. It's like you've been living in a vacuum. It is unfortunate that you can't afford high-end guitars for you and your grand children. Even if you built them yourself you would find that the training involved and tooling up for it is an expensive and time intensive process. I get that you want to buy American. But what you are asking for is for American workers to work for crap wages. Even if you went to something like a Martin backpacker you'd find it was built in Mexico. These are some facts of life. It seems you need to either get some more cash, or settle for something less than your ideal guitar. Or better yet, build your own guitars like your ancestors did. Then you would gain an appreciation for why good guitars cost big bucks. B)
  4. Welcome, I'm pretty new myself. Nothing like getting together with an old friend and rekindling the relationship. Don't be surprised if the tone of your old pal improves dramatically during the first few weeks of playing. Then of course your fingers will be regaining their playing strength so you will both be "waking up" together. Play on.
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