Tap Tuning Guitar Tops

[Harmonics101]

Okay Guys, entertain and enlighten me.

 

I've been hanging around the Martin guitar forum way too often and need to understand how Gibson special editions are built.

 

As some of you may know, Martin strictly selects guitar tops based on cosmetic considerations and not tonal qualities of the wood.

 

I've also heard that some boutique guitar makers tap tune their tops to use the best for tonal qualities of the end product of the guitar.

 

What are Gibson's criteria for their special edition models as far as guitar tops ?

 

Do they use aesthetics ? To they tap tune ?

 

Curious and neophyte Gibson guitar forum folk need to know

 

Harmonics101

[pfox14]

I don't think there's any big production guitar builder - Gibson or Martin - that actually "tap tunes" their tops. A lot of the True Vintage stuff gets hand selected Adirondack Red Spruce tops and bracing. They use hide glue throughout, and adhere to a lot of the time-tested construction techniques employed by Gibson back in the day. I personally build my own acoustic guitars and do tap tune my tops, to maximize the tonal qualities of the wood and I would imagine that only the smaller boutique builders do this. I believe Gibson like other manufacturers mainly chose materials based on aesthetics i.e. quality of materials, grain, clarity, etc.

[JuanCarlosVejar]

Once Jeremy Fuller told me he had actually seen Ren Ferguson tap tuning at the montana facility ... so I guess he does that on at least the master museum models and maybe even some anniversary models (who knows?) . Here is what he had to say :

 

"

I do know his Master building process starts off with hand picking the wood, Not only for its beauty, But for its tonal qualities. I have seen him tap test and tune wood tops. It is amazing, the way he knows these things. All master models sound incredible as well as look incredible"

 

 

JC

[L5Larry]

In printed Gibson propaganda of yesteryear (and maybe still), Gibson also calls bracing "Tone Bars".

 

It's all just "marketing".

[Hogeye]

In printed Gibson propaganda of yesteryear (and maybe still), Gibson also calls bracing "Tone Bars".

 

It's all just "marketing".

Gibson does use tone bars. They are different than bracing. Braces will go completly to the edge of the guitar and lock into the sides of the guitar. They are used to keep the guitar together. Tone bars do not go to the edges and they don't add to the structure of the guitar.Tone bars are used to control the top vibration and give the guitar it's distinctive sound. The tone bars are mostly found below the x brace on the top. Depending on the model and the history of the guitar there are two or three.

 

Gibson does not tap tune their tops. They don't hand scallop their braces and they don't tune the tone bars.

[57classic]

Check out this video with Kim Walker. He not only explains the subject clearly but demonstrates the concept using different types of wood and how they influence sound.

 

[rolling56]

I don't think there's any big production guitar builder - Gibson or Martin - that actually "tap tunes" their tops.

 

Well Collings supposedly does, so if you have the money for "supposedly" then go for a Collings..........

[E-minor7]

Gibson does use tone bars. They are different than bracing. Braces will go completly to the edge of the guitar and lock into the sides of the guitar. They are used to keep the guitar together. Tone bars do not go to the edges and they don't add to the structure of the guitar.Tone bars are used to control the top vibration and give the guitar it's distinctive sound. The tone bars are mostly found below the x brace on the top. Depending on the model and the history of the guitar there are two or three.

 

Gibson does not tap tune their tops. They don't hand scallop their braces and they don't tune the tone bars.

When you talk about tonebars below the X, I presume you mean towards the bottom of the guitar, not the 2 small ones pointing to your knees. Or am I wrong.

And can I present a Q. - Where would you suggest to place f.x. a piece of duct tape or even bigger mass if one wanted to dampen a too vibrant top ?

[Hogeye]

When you talk about tonebars below the X, I presume you mean towards the bottom of the guitar, not the 2 small ones pointing to your knees. Or am I wrong.

And can I present a Q. - Where would you suggest to place f.x. a piece of duct tape or even bigger mass if one wanted to dampen a too vibrant top ?

Just place the dampening device,tape or whatever, on the outside of the guitar. If you find the sound you like just remove it and put it inside out of sight on the same spot. I've never heard of anyone wanting to dampen a guitar before but it certainly would be an easy thing to do.