the ones that survive are the good ones... mmm well said. I have been enjoying your musings and insights on music and guitars for awhile now and have to say how lucky we are that you survived your bout with throat cancer. Thanks for your videos. Keep on Keepin' on
I totally agree, I have a 0028 which sounds great and a Simon & Patrick which is getting there. You have some great guitars with beautiful tones, thanks for sharing
Great video! I love how you talk about making sure you buy the right materials in your guitar, then put in the work. I've discovered that the inlay on the headstock adds nothing to the sound! Recently, I bought a $400 chinese made Recording King rd328, 30 year old adi solid top, solid Indian rosewood back and sides, ebony fretboard and bridge. I added Waverly open gear tuners, bone bridge pins, and sat it in front of my 70s speaker for 2 weeks. It sounds as good as any guitar on my wall... all marquee brands (martin, taylor, hoffman, bourgeois, gibson). "The love you take, is equal to the love you make"
Ive just bought a brand new gibson hummingbird. I learned so much from your video about the wood & tone, & how to get the most out of my guitar. Thank you for the great content from a younger chap to a true gent!
Hi Daniel, thanks for your kind comment. I' delighted that uui have found my ramblings useful I hope your new gibson gives you great joy. Check this out : ua-cam.com/video/282iDupaVM4/v-deo.html
Im glad i found this video. I just bought a new hd28, and it does sound a little less than i think it should. I will try to observe the progress of “opening her up”. Thank you for this insight
Hi Andy, I don’t have anything to share or add to this topic but I wanted to post to say how much I enjoy all your video’s. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. I look forward to all your video’s. Thank you !
Hi Richard, thank you kindly. Please consider subscribing, and please look around my videos. I try to respond to all comments and queries and welcome ideas for further videos.
I've found the Prime Vibe to be the best device for opening up an acoustic guitar. It works on the same principle as sitting a guitar near a speaker, but it directs the music vibration onto the top. Prime Vibe says that 100 hours of use approximates 40 years of playing. I don't know about that, but I can say that 100 hours will make a significant improvement. The Prime Vibe works.
Hi MJT, I'd not heard of this product. Seemingly unavailable in the UK currently so don't know price or effectiveness. I'm currently happy to put my latest guitar in front of the speakers connected to my TV ..as I can look at it during the adverts! Thanks for watching.
Hi and thanks for your excellent videos and solid contribution to like minded people like myself. I’m probably about the same age as as yourself and from what you say, I believe we have a lot in common, although I have a silly beard. Its very interesting what you have to say related to everything about the subject of acoustic guitars. I’m still trying to learn as much as possible. I have a Lowden F 10, a Mcilroy A36, Martin D28, Martin 000-18 and more recently acquired a Collings SJ Indie that I play all mainly at home, although I sometimes play the D28 in pubs. I would add that I’ve noticed that temperature and humidity greatly influences the factors of resonance, loudness, playability, tone and projection, ( or liveliness/deadness). I find that they all sound better at a temperature of 25C and medium to high humidity. I presume that my guitars have “opened up,” as they were all second hand when I bought them. I would be interested to hear your comments on temperature and humidity and experiences etc. Many thanks. Phil in Leeds.
Long ago I was friends with a Luthier that specialized in violins. Repair was his bred and butter but of course new builds were his joy. As you know no one wants a new fiddle no matter how nicely it is made. One day I was paying him a visit when I noticed a new build hanging in the center a small room with four sun lamps from the four corners of the room pointed at it. I ask him what he was doing and he said he was "aging it." I laughed at first but he then explained how and why. One thing the shellac finish is sun sensitive and the other the drying of the wood.
I have a nice OM that is about 10 years old. When hanging on a wall acts like a passive speaker amplifying every sound including music and speech. It is fantastically open and relaxed.
I have a 1 yr old Eastman that I’ve been leaving in sunlight (indoors) , setting next to my amp when playing electric, & next to stereo speakers while at work. Like you say, I don’t have 20 yrs to wait. I’m also a geek for maximizing things. I want the guitar to sound the best it possibly can. I swear it sounds quite a bit better in less than a year. Thanks for this video. Helps me to not think I’m the only one to believe this sorta thing. I really enjoy your videos.
Haha Dan - I've just taken my Eastman out of its case and stood it in the sunshine next to the cat! I have to say that I dot really feel that it needs more opening as it sounds great from new but maybe it has been hanging up in Ivor Mairants for some time absorbing the noise and hub-bub - who knows. As I doubt I'll be taking out much, so it'll sit in front of the speakers that give us our TV sound or up in my office/cell listening to the radio.
I am 66 and am blessed to have more fine acoustic guitars than I can possibly do justice in terms of keeping them awake. I recently purchased a used Bedel Bahia orchestra model. Brazilian RW with Addi top. The original owner had never even registered it. I own a Collins om1SB with a baked top I purchased new in 16. It sounded awesome day one and has been my primary play since. Playing the 2 guitars back to back new strings etc. the Bedel is obviously tight. After a lot of research I just purchase a Tone Traveler. I'm hoping that will help me do right by these fine instruments. Guitars are created to be played. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. 👍
My first 'real' guitar I bought used but was well played and lived in a lively guitar store. I never really believed in guitars 'opening up'. I bought a new Martin OM and for the first time started playing at a bluegrass jam. I guess it was the first time I really played loudly. One night, at the jam, all of a sudden it felt like every part was vibrating: the back was the most obvious, but I could feel the neck moving too. I'm sold! They just get more enjoyable to play each time. I am a bit disappointed by the lack of name calling and chest beating especially here on UA-cam though. This entire thing of people being civilised just won't do. ;) You are always a gentleman, and we are all the better for you documenting these bits of knowledge.
Andy: Good video as usual. I have a couple of things that I do to break in a new guitar. I start off by making sure that they are played every day for fifteen months, about 500 hours (I think I picked that tip up from Dana Bourgeois) before I put it into the rotation. I also try to expose them to every frequency I can by playing a variety of tunings e.g., DADGAD, Drop D, Open D, Open G and standard and finally I play every genre of music that I know: even Classical and Gypsy Jazz. I thrash them pretty good with a flat pick when playing bluegrass and do a lot of fingerstyle. I think it's also useful to utilize the entire neck.
I like to play the tuba and the trumpet in rooms that have my guitars and pianos. The resonate each-other, and play such a symbiotic part in each-other’s sound. Great video! Thank you.
Good morning Interesting video (from one guitar anorak to another!) I’ve got 7 guitars which I would regard as “high end “ and several Asian built mid range ones. They’re all good and well set up. Having that many, it’s easy for one to get ignored for a while and “go to sleep “. I’ve found the Tonerite to be very effective as a quick restorer. My luthier calls it “instant vintage!” Re ageing, I have a Gibson L00 from 1934 which I bought in a very sorry state some years ago and had restored ( to a very high standard by my miracle worker luthier!) I did use the Tonerite on it after restoration which worked a treat.BUT there’s something in the sound which is not there in modern instruments. “That old sound”. If any of my guitars has something called “Mojo” then that one is it. I’m sure it is as you say, something to do with changes in the wood which occur over considerable time. I’ve played torified tops and get the point but I don’t think you get old sound from a new guitar ( at least not in my experience). Just my two penn’eth. Thanks for the videos; I always enjoy them. Regards
Hi Stanby, generally speaking I think I'd agree with all you say. My venture into small guitars was really inspired by two prewar Gibsons - one was an L-00 that a friend had rebuilt, and the other was a Nick Lucas version of the "L-1" the supposedly Robert Johnson shape" both of which ere truly magical. Just before Christmas I attended a small "jam" and a lady friend produced a guitar that she had received as part of her divorce settlement and it was a '30s L-00. Relatively good condition, on the way to a rest, but socially ...Meh! but I do understand ad agree with you about the magical "something" that is best found in real elderly instruments - I haven['t yet experienced a "torrified top - so don't have an opinion - I know that Bill Collings supplied them because people wanted them but didn't think much of the idea. Thanks for watching and for your kind comments.
Hi Andy, another great presentation, thanks. My WL12 should be nicely opened up by now, it’s been hanging on the wall of Mr. C’s guitar shop for nigh on a year ! I need to get on to them.... I definitely AM a believer in the opening up principle. I have noticed it most evident in my little Taylor GS Mini, I got that one almost new and virtually unplayed and it certainly got better after being thrashed by all and sundry for a year. I do own a couple of “proper” guitars, Martins and such, but, being cheap, I have always fished pre-thrashed ones out of the bay and they have probably done most of their opening up in their first year, before I ever heard them. I do use Tonerite for waking sleeping guitars, I leave em on for a couple of weeks in the spare room. I go in from time to time and change the tunings, open G is nice , don’t honestly know if it makes any bloody dif. but it’s fun. One thing you didn’t mention, ToneRite KILLS STRINGS ! So I always leave the old ones on when I use it and put a new set on when it’s done. I haven’t tried T/R on my Emerald carbon fibre guitar.... maybe if I gave it full power for about 500 years ?
Hi Jon, great to hear from you! (How's the "grill" ?) Is your WL-12 STILL at Charlie's ? I've just looked and he's only advertising a WL-14. (Cash coming your way? My Collings DS2h sold in a week or so - makes me think it was priced too low! I confess that I haven't used my tonerite for years now - don't think I ever used it on the Waterloo. No , I didn't mention string death - but surely you'd expect that? I don't think I'd advise using one on your Emerald but what do I know? anyway - a happy 2020 to you sir and I hope we cross paths again sometime (I got accused of profanity on you know where for using the phrase smartarse!)
Ha ! A couple of years ago they didn’t know that “arse” was a such a dirty word ! I tried to tell them, but they Kerbied my enthusiasm... Far canal, I doubt if you can get far call past those moderators now ... ps. My grill is holding up well .
Thanks very interesting. I recently bought a Martin om 28 and I will expose it to radio.i enjoy your vids. Always informative and entertaining. Thanks.
I'm touched by that. Whilst my cancer treatment hs caused a lot of damage in my head and neck, i can't speak high enough of the folks who cared for me. Sadly, due to covid, I cannot get my scheduled quarterly inspections at present, but I'm still here and so are many thanks to their work.
The last guitar I built was a redwood topped instrument. It was my first with redwood and initially I was very concerned i'd built a brick as it had huge and drastic changes in its response over the first week of its life, yet the low end never seemed to arrive, something that appeared significantly quicker in my spruce topped instruments. After another week or so of playing the bass arrived and the sound balanced out and it was more like what i'd hoped for. It lives with my father so when I see it again every few months to me it always seems to have subtly changed, but it's character has now settled and you can still hear that every time you play it.
I own three redwood topped guitars, two sinker and one very special top wood that I purchased from a Northern California supplier in the late ‘90s. I was building at the time. All are high end and hand-built. Redwood is a strange animal in the acoustic world. It’s kind of like wanting your cake and eating it too. Generally speaking(very generally), redwood imparts the flavor of a spruce top rather than a cedar top. But it blooms with harmonics and overtones like cedar. It is softer than most spruce, comparable to Englemann I think. So it has more headroom than cedar but less than Sitka or European spruce. Thus for me it’s the perfect top wood for my style of play which is 90% finger style. Flat picking works as long as you don’t dig too deeply into it. Redwood ages like all good tone wood,but…. It does not age fast nor does it keep getting better and better over time. It will eventually sort of flatten out. I find the magic of redwood more in the pairing of back and side wood rather than focusing solely on the top. I think it works well with Walnut, some rosewoods (Madagascar is my favorite), good Koa wood (lots of junk out there) and some mahoganies. Bracing architecture is critical to Redwood. Too many builders apply the same bracing formula as spruce to redwood and then wonder why it doesn’t sound right. Anyway, I love a well made redwood topped guitar but the devil is always in the details and you may indeed have to kiss a lot of frogs to find “the one”. All IMHO, of course.
My local luthier who built my mandolin also builds violins. The completed violins are put into a larger wood box which has speakers at each end facing each other. He plays classical violin music for hours over a few days before delivering them. I continue to put my mandolin in front of a speaker and play quiet classical guitar and violin music when not in use.
Great information! Thanks for the video, Andy, I just picked up a device called the Dr. Herringbone Tone Traveler, which works a bit like the Tonerite you are using. I've put each of my guitars on it for around 24 hours and will be doing some more experimenting with it.
Hi, I've had my Tonerite for years now and haven't really used it for almost as long, but I'm using it now on a '98 build Collings which seems to have gone to sleep/ been unused. I'd like to try the Tone traveller, and should have agreed when they offered to send me one. Let me know how it works for you. Andy.
Very interesting! My experience with my cello, which wasn’t played for years due to shoulder surgery, sounded quite dead and it took another year of playing and house noise and music to open it up again…
Hi, I see no reason why the effects witnessed/perceived by acoustic guitarists should not also be experienced by classical instruments such as your cello.
Hi Andy, having listened to this video numerous times, I’ve surmised that these comments come from players that have numerous guitars or simply don’t play daily. Having more than one guitar is fine and very enjoyable, but not playing the guitars very often is counterproductive. I have only two guitars, both Martin and after about 3 years of playing, what a blessing of sustain and projection. Just from playing with a flat pick and travis picking. You’re correct in stating the more you dig in and get that top vibrating the better. My point is just play the guitar frequently and trust me, it’ll open up just fine. It has for me. Thanks for all the videos.
Fascinating video good sir.as an aside to this , some years ago ,I was in the market for an acoustic for playing jazz fingerstyle . I went to a music shop and tried most of the guitars there and ended up walking away with a quite old yamaha classical guitar, the sound was (to me) absolute gorgeous, lots of depth and tone. It just felt right. Cost me the grand total of £50 and with d'addarios on it was even better. It may not be the most expensive or classy guitar in the world, but when I put that guitar on, its like a comfy pair of slippers. It never sits in a box or bag. Anyway, thanks for the video. All the best.
Hi, I haven't owned a classical for ages, but i remember two modestly priced ones that were wonderful and both owned by girl friends back in the '70s. Both were Levins (the guitars not the ladies!)
I've often heard about this way to open up the sound - and it's true: the longer you play (and literally *play* , not just sitting pretty in a case) an acoustic, the better it'll become. Putting it near speakers is a great way of speeding that up a fair bit 😉 I have an acoustic bass that was hardly ever used before I got it, and it's in my studio - merrily humming along 😎👍
Thanks and welcome! Please note that I always welcome comments, questions, and even criticisms, and try to reply. If you have any suggestions, be it songs or guitar related stuff, don't hesitate to ask.
Very interesting. Ive made a number of guitars and furniture, worked for several saw mills over the years so Ive got to know woods pretty well and their characteristics. I think wood density has a lot to do with sounds and that can very from one log to another even.
Thanks for this video I'm just now coming across it I have a Martin 000 - 17 whiskey sunset and when I got it it sounded so trebly. After a year of leaving in front of my speakers and playing it daily it's like night and day what a beautiful guitar! Thanks for this video.
I believe that playing in a bedroom or den would take 10 lifetimes to really open up a guitar. The old Martins that we love have spend much more time being played but also sitting on a live stage or studios absorbing all the sounds they are exposed to. So yes giving a little push will make all the difference. I put my Stratocaster down against my tube amp and let a hum feed back with my guitar hanging 12 inches away. You can adjust your volume, tone, and even add a little reverb and tremolo. I left my Collings D2h baaa for 20 minutes with brand new strings and the strings were already dead. That’s like playing a few hours maybe 4-5 for two weeks to get to that point for the strings. I noticed a difference in the overtones. They had more ambiance overall but were pleasantly balanced. After the new strings. I used to do this with a Martin D-28 along with leaving it inside my den on a table with direct bright sun all day, only slightly warming the top. 2 years after I owned it, the top went from the new white tent to beyond the vintage toner color and really had a 3 demented depth in the grain. I’ve always heard that you can train would gain to hold energy in different directions and you can also train tone into instruments. You need a guitar with a lot of character to be able to notice. Just like nuts, saddle, bridge pin material is negligible on a lesser instrument but extremely noticeable on a high depth sounding guitar. Finally I’m a firm believer that vibrations will age the wood faster driving out oils and thus hardening the resins.
Very interesting Jeff, we share similar ideas. similar Ideas, My newest guitar, my Eastman e20-P spends the evenings in front of one of the hi-fi speakers used for our TV. and the day time sunbathing. It does have to compete with the cat who likes the same places, but it's working well.
I have all of my acoustics hanging up... picked one up the other day that I'd purchase just before the lockdown because it was beautiful (simple as that) but I was disappointed with the sound... amazed that it now sounds so good after hanging around. I've pretty much played electric through the lockdown so perhaps my amps openned it up. Always interesting...regards
Hi Jennifer (?) Thank you for your kind comments. I hope that youfound this video useful, and please have a browse through my other videos (I seem to have made quite a lot! Regards Ol' Andy
I totally agree, I purchased a new Gibson RB 250 Banjo in 1973 and it was a few years of playing before it found its true voice it is now a fantastic instrument to play and just seems to get better with time
I sometimes wonder also if our perception changes over time. Because I have owned this particular vintage guitar for about a year and a half, and I feel the tone now much better than a year ago. But in reality I think not much changed with the guitar in that time. I believe I can play better now, and I am more aware of how the instrument responds to my playing. I am more in touch with the instrument. I believe the tone of guitars does improve over time due to the vibrations and changes in the wood and changes in the instrument, but also I think our perception of the tone may become more acute, and over time we better adapt our playing style for that particicular instrument.
Really interesting. I have a 565 Taylor that sounded wonderfully warm and everyone wanted to buy it from me. It got badly scrapped on the soundboard and went to Taylor (in Amsterdam) for refinishing. They made a superb job but I was disapointed to find that the guitar then sounded 'tinny'. After a couple of weeks I came to the conclusion that this was a consequence of the refinishing which made the guitar effectively 'new'. Im hoping that the tone will mellow soon as I am also far too old to wait around !
Yes, very interesting. That Collings Dreadnought is just glorious sounding and beautiful to behold too. Sadly, such an instrument is beyond my purse, let alone a collection such as yours. These nuggets of information are priceless. I certainly somewhat rue the years I have clung on to playing electric and I am glad to have moved on now. I’m not just searching for a decent dreadnought for around £1000 (possibly an Eastman) but also a decent starter mandolin too just to get me going. I’m heading towards American Folk and Bluegrass styles primarily. This video has got me thinking, should I perhaps look for a well played in instrument second hand rather than buying new?
Hi, you my see from my other recent videos that I recently acquired an Eastman E20-P Even as a Collings player, I have to say I'm impressed with the Eastman. I wish they did a 12 fret dread!
I have a Yamaha FG450SA that I bought in 1990. I had 2 lessons, put it in the wardrobe and forgot about it. 28 years later I decided to try again. When I brought it out of the box the top was looking like freshly cut wood, but very rapidly turned a golden colour. I still have it and it sounds great.
Good for you! I confess that I dolt like new pale tops so I let them sunbathe a little (Through windows, morning light etc. They do darken down nicely. Enjoy your Yamaha!
By 2024, there are several items that will "wake up " a guitar (Tone Traveler) Those radio speakers possibly work just as well. So does playing the guitar. I play 20 hours a week at a retirement community. A guitar sounds different after a month. Thanks again, Andy.
Yeah, I don't play so much now, apart from at my own club and a few local places, and I don't have any active partners any more. We also have a cat that hates me playing! Also, I have more instruments than fingers and toes so ..... Thanks as always,
I bought a Lowden 32se brand new, about 8 years ago, and when I played it for the first few times I thought it sounded quite 'bright'. I wanted a Lowden specifically for it's renowned balanced sound, and although it still sounded very good, I didn't think it was 'great'. I got told to keep it in a case when not in use, with a humidifying system in the case to keep it perfectly humidified, and in a place where the temperature was perfect,, blah blah .... no thanks, I'm not that type of -person, I like to just grab it and play as often as I can. So the Lowden has literally been just hung on my bedroom wall, and played as much as possible. 8 years later, it now sounds amazing. It does sound better when the humidity is 50%-60% and when it is particularly dry (35%-40% humidity), it does lack a little something, but living in the UK with all the rain, it sounds amazing 95% of the time 😀
Hi, I live in the south east (England) and RH has been pretty high this year. We rarely get very low humidity like people in desert areas of the USA etc. I believe 45-55% is ideal but my guitars have coped with 60% but I have put most in cases with silica bags when RH got over 60% At LOW Humidity (35% etc, I do find that I get buzzing on some and rather "dry" tonality. I also suspect that guitars settle down after ten-twenty years. Just keep an eye on the bridges to make sure they aren't lifting. Best, Andy
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your earned wisdom and your humble musings. I bought a Gibson southern jumbo in 2014. I liked something about its tone but always felt it was not quite sounding full and relaxed. I am not a slicked player but a skilled listener and I love to strum and pick when I can. However mostly only in the winter months. This year the guitar has seemed to really blossom for reasons unexplained. It is more lively than ever. I will never let this one go. Oddly it mostly rests in its tone tomb yet it has risen and has inspired me to get better at plucking and strumming. Ps. I love the way you make your guitars sing.
Hi Lynn, thank you for the kind words, and whilst I'm not that familiar with modern Gibsons, I glad thet your SJ has proved succesful for you. I think that the more you play it, the better it will be. Play in good health.
One of u tubes more interesting videos , l have played guitars for over 50 years and found like you suggest playing just works wonders to the sound. I don’t have enough hours in the day to play all my guitars but they all are wall mounted and l do make a lot of noise, l suppose they are all happy. Thanks for posting. Stay safe.
I like the video, very informative on a topic that's quite interesting and many times overlooked when deciding on an instrument. Or improving the instruments you already have that are not getting enough play time. I recently started using the Tone Traveler and it makes a difference in sound of all my instruments. More sustain and volume and they all have much more of a 'ring' to it. Love it, treated some of my friends instruments and they confirmed the benefits. And no - this not paid advertising, I'm just liking what it does to my instruments.
Thank you Peter, I did buy a Tonerite when they first came out which had a marginal effect on some. Ive heard of the Tone Traveller device, but thus far they don't seem to be available in the UK.
@@drherringbone7305 Thanks for making contact. Do you consider that your product improves "played in" instruments? I'm not really seeking improvements to any of mine but should you wish to have an unbiased opinion, and to send me a sample unit, I'd be prepared to make a video about it.
Had no idea this was the case until I bought a new Epiphone hummingbird. Was shocked by how "thin" the original playing sounded. after a few days, it was obvious the guitar was improving. after a month it is still getting better!
Hi Andy, I am loving your discussion about the technical aspects of guitars and ergonomics. I am a 46 year old just starting out with guitar and have found your videos interesting and informative. I wanted to ask your opinion about guitar choice. Several sources suggest choosing a guitar based primarily on sound but after watching your video, I wonder if the sound of the guitar at the time of purchase may not be so critical if it is going to open up with use. I want to buy the best guitar that I can so as not to waste money upgrading etc. I would love to hear your thoughts on this
Hi Benjamin -firstly thank you for considering my advice even worth taking! I;d suggest that you consider that buying guitars is a bit like the situation with princesses and frogs! You have to try a fair few. With few exceptions the more you pay the better sounding they will probably be, but, with respect, if you are still relatively new to the acoustic guitar, it takes some years to get "tuned in" to appreciating tonal qualities (a bit like wine tasting!) My advice would be: 1. Try to ascertain what kind of playing style you want to do (flat-picking, fingerstyle - "strumming" - (I hate that word) or whatever. 2. Try to find a guitar (or guitars) (within your budget) that are suitable for (1) that you find most comfortable for your left hand - think fretboard width and neck shape/profile. 3. Don't go for a large bodied guitar if you are still establish your playing posture. 4. Don't go for one with a cutaway - many of us don't like them and so (I suspect) they are more difficult to sell on or trade). 5. Don't buy a guitar with built in electrics - that just means you are spending an appreciable part of your budget on stuff you'll probably never use! 6. Ask around about which budget brands are well thought of (I've been so impressed by Eastman that I went out and bought one!). ........ Well, you've given me an idea for another video! ..... BTW - i did say that some and/or "good" guitars tend to "open" up. some are fine from the start, some never do. - avoid laminated or "HPL" guitars. Hope that helps.
Silly Moustache thanks very much for the considered response. I consider your advice valuable because: a) you play wonderfully b) you have clearly given these matter much though and articulate your thoughts well and c) you seem to be without commercial bias, which is great. 1. My current preference is finger style 2. My budget is 2-3k USD 3. I find large nut widths difficult to form some chords on. I am more comfortable around the 1 3/4 inch mark from my limited experience I was thinking of a 00 or 000 sized guitar, possibly from Martin, Taylor or Yamaha. Am I on the right track? Thanks again
To accelerate break-in, I tap often on the top, sing loudly into sound hole, let guitar get cold and clammy, then warm and dry it. I call my treatment "terrifying" the top.
Many years ago (1972?) the guys at Kustom amplifiers (remember those?) got into importing Goya guitars from Sweden. As part of the setup, they hung them on racks in a sound insulated room with an array of big Kustom 200 watt amps and 4x12 cabinets blasting away 24/7. They noticed that about two weeks made a huge difference in the sound of their guitars. On another note related to guitars that haven’t been played lately, my ‘63 D28 with Brazilian rosewood/Sitka top sounds dull if I’ve neglected it for a while. After 30 minutes or so of playing, the rosewood “opens up” remarkably and has much more ring and attack.
I'm enjoying your videos. I bought a ToneRite and put it on any new guitar I get for 5 days at a time and they sound much better. After 2 or 3 rounds of this, the sound difference is night and day.
Hi Philip, I can't remember the last time i used mine. I do believe that they improve some instruments, if not all. It is impossible to scientifically prove their efficiency so it is down to personal perception.
You wont believe this Andy but… I used too flick my cigarette ash in my guitars years ago in the days when I smoked. I was convinced it rounded the sound and helped tame harsh treble. I would periodically vacuum out the inside of the guitar when I changed strings so there was never any danger of a pyroclastic flow rushing out and coating my picking hand.
Back in the days before we learnt tat we could cut strings, we would curl them up and stab filter tips on the ends, or between the strings and the headstock. I remember quite a few ciggy burnt headstocks.
What’s your average relative humidity there? Maple is a “sappy” wood, that’s why Maple Syrup is made from the sap. The Waterloo could have lost some of its resin and the guitar has opened up.
Very interesting video! As a guitar builder and a lover of acoustic instruments for 50 years I’ve had a great deal of experience with this. Like lacquer that never really dries wood was a living thing and still is to a certain degree so the same principles apply when asking it for acoustic Resonance. Take your guitar to the beach for an hour let the sun warm in a bit the humidity sinking a tiny bit and it will change the tone. Caskets stay under the ground and that’s their only job and that’s all that’s asked of the wood. A musical instrument on the other hand is asked to produce beautiful tones and give back to us what we put into it. I’m also a believer that I guitar doesn’t really play well until it’s been dropped hopefully without damage it does wake it up just a little bit :-)
I've tried a few different ways to open up dead guitars, I found the best and quickest is by using a small back massager/ vibrator on top for 30 mins a day, for a week, unbelievable results, just make sure it's not too aggressive, and make sure to protect the area, ie cardboard and tape the massager/vib down, trust me, it really does work. Your welcome.
Interesting. They have an electronic massager at my local gym. I wonder if they'd mind my taking my guitars in with me? In truth, whilst we always just used to "play them in" as we started acquiring more an more instruments -maybe they haven't all got the playing in time they may have had. I still think that playing and letting them listen to talk radio is the best option. Thanks for watching.
Very interesting story. My Guitars open up in the same way yours do. They are hanging/standing in my office and i always hear them resonate with my speakers and my cats and of course me. The essence of this is: Speak and play with your Guitars and you will have a better Communication with them and you will understand what they tell you. And, what i think is very important for the Instruments: Keep them warm enough so that you feel good. Greetings from "Schwarzwald"/Germany.
Sehr interessant auch, Sie scheinen eine etwas "spirituelle" Herangehensweise an diese Dinge zu haben, aber wie sie sagen, wenn Sie sich wohl fühlen, dann sind es auch unsere Instrumente, aber sie sollten auch so gut klingen, wie es für uns angenehm ist. Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen, und da mein Deutsch sehr eingerostet ist, hoffe ich, dass Google Translate akzeptabel ist.
@@SillyMoustache Ja, für mich haben alle meine Instrumente eine "Seele". Und ja, wenn ich mich wohl fühle klingen meine Instrumente auch etwas satter, meine ich jedenfalls. Wenn ich mich schlecht fühle, spiele ich erst garnicht. Naja, jeder wie er kann und muss. Und Google Translate macht es doch ganz gut.
I just bought a D-10E Martin guitar road series. It is not the cheapest Martin but it is close to it. I hoping you are right about how Martin sound the worst the will when they are new because this guitar sounds kinda of like my old 80 dollar guitar.
Hi, I didn't say that new Martins sound bad/poor, whatever, I said that most improve over time. In fact I believe that this applies to most well made guitars. I'm not aware of ghte D-10e, which seems to be a model supplied with built in electrnics, and so, it might be intended to be less resonant acoustically, to sound better plugged in ... now that isn't a judgement, its a possibilty, inasmuch as I have found that the more resonant of my guitars were more challenging to use bugged up, which is why I don't use internal electronics any more. Maybe your guitar just needs some playing in time.
Hello Andy. Thank you for your interesting video again (like they all are) But this topic i think is extra interesting and not commen spoken abouth. As a beginner player at 53jr old playing gitar for 4 jrs now i can compair a few gitars. 2 gitars are the same in dimentions, both dreadnougths a Nashville & Richwood. The Nashwood (€ 80,-) had a multiplex top and a cartonbox sound. 😂 The Richwood artist series has a sitka solid top.. and no lacker on it. They call it a natural finish. It sounded georgeus straigth from the box. Now ive played it everyday and it seems to me the soundrange has only "opened-upp" in the years. Olso in spain (every winter) i let it sit outside in the sun to have the color on top get more amber-like color. The thing i notiched is that in the morning it has less volume and a "dull" sound as if you have soundbarriers on wile playing it, deu to moisture. 😂 The nashville gitar had a resonating-ratlle in it from the box.. wich i fixed with some drops of thin epoxy and a clamp to gleu it and it helpt. After some moths i poored thin epoxy in and covert the hole innerside of the gitar whit it. A strange thing happend.. After hardening a few weeks i played it and it verymuch improved the soundcolor coming out of it! The volume not so much. Altough it sounds bright now with less volume compaired to eqivalent gitars, and its olmost impervius to moisture. It olso needs litlle tuning for months. I found out that nashville has his name chainged in Richwood or something like that?! I tougth it would be interesting to write my experianches abouth all of this. You play very nice, sadly i cant follow some lessons from you.. There for i enjoy your videos even more. Greetings from holland🎸
Hallo, ik schrijf in het Nederlands dankzij google translate. Ik vrees dat ik niet bekend ben met de gitaarmerken die je noemt. Vocht of vochtigheid is de vijand van akoestische gitaren, die het best bewaard kunnen worden bij een relatieve luchtvochtigheid van 40-50%. relatieve vochtigheid. Ik hoop dat dit helpt.
I remember doing what you said about leaning your guitars against a speaker back in the 70's. I think opening up the molecules in the wood with sound frequencies is a good idea. I think in some cases it might do the opposite also depending on the vibes being put into the wood. I was watching a luthier just the other day on UA-cam mention tuning the top before making the guitar. He said tapping the top during the planing process using a tuner till it has an even ring, but that it should not be tuned to any of the string keys. This produces an even tone and volume for all strings.It all starts when the guitar is created, and the tone will get better with age. But playing the instrument is the best way to break in any acoustic instrument.
Hi Jim, actually this is an even better analysis I didnt realise there was so much going on in the backyard... I think its 100% real what happened in Vegas. I finished reading 'Walking among us' a few months back and its really a mind blowing analysis. I usually read in bed before sleep and I got these thoughts oh feck what if they pick me up...🙄 Im now reading secret life and its just as good. What was amazing in the book which you mentioned is, that they abduct us to teach the Hubrids how to socialise how to live like humans. I remember the questions the hybrids or hubrids were so basic... Like everything was 'Why' why do you need a spoon, stupid questions like that. Also what I noted was that the abductee's didn't want to be teaching these hybrids/hubrids either. Also these Hubrids would show up at Abductee's doors, visit ask questions and leave again. Abductee's felt they were being used and not of great importance. If Abductee's asked questions about whats going on they would get dismissive answers. As I read this book I actually sort of 'Pretended' in my mind, ahh bollocks its not real anyway, honestly its so out there, but you know this man has a PhD, he regressed over 1000 abductee's and these were the stories he was getting so who am I or anybody else to say its not true. Its just so difficult to wrap your head around... I also remember that Turkish video many years ago, I think its probably the best footage ever taken of these craft and beings. The guy I think he used a 600 x times telephoto lens on his camera.. Keep up the good work. I would fight for Planet Earth... 🙂
I think guitar tone does change over time, but so does our focus on a particular instrument’s tonal characteristics apart from any actual change. For instance, I have a 70-year-old arch top who must be said to have certainly “opened up” by now. I’ve heard its tone vastly differently over the years, particularly after intervals of time away from it. Not to cloud or contradict the issue, just to complicate, lol.
Just found your channel. You sir, are an immensely fascinating person. Very knowledgable and eloquent. You are very talented in conveying your point of view in a soothing almost serene manner. +1 Subscribed!
@@SillyMoustache Will do. Check out my one song on my channel. :) Recorded analog with a Furch guitar - you know the brand? Think they have been marketed as "stonebridge" in the US.
Like returning home from a long trip to find a more attentive spouse, or how a dog will be excited to have you return from a long day away, your Waterloo missed you and wanted you to know how much it cares that you are doing better and playing guitar again.
Fascinating video - thank you for sharing your wisdom here! I have a gaggle of acoustic guitars and most spend a lot of time in their cases due to my paranoia about humidity changes etc. Just lately I've been thinking about this 'going to sleep' phenomenon and I've been getting them out more and trying not to neglect them... but my most played guitar is a non-expensive parlour, hanging on the wall in the lounge above the stereo. If I sneeze loudly, the guitar replies! 😂 Pretty sure it has opened up over the years. Meanwhile my lovely Martin D28 has spent most of its life in its case. I need to remedy this - maybe leave it out near some speakers and see what happens! Thanks again for your great videos and do stay well. Cheers, Heather.
Hi, of course, nothing opens up a guitar like actually playing it, but for those not much played, like my Dreads at present, all is not lost as a good work out will open them up when the time comes. If you can keep your guitars with a 40% to 60% RH they will change tonally a little but shouldn't be damaged.
I've been saying this for a long time. It's part of the way famous guitarists often have instruments that just do something extra magical; they've been played for years over and over in huge venues or arenas, surrounded by the vibrations of themselves. Aligning the crystals/molecules within them. I look at it in a similar way to this process or idea -- Chladni Plate: ua-cam.com/video/tFAcYruShow/v-deo.html ... albeit at a vastly smaller incremental rate over periods of months or years. Then think about this in terms of Stradivarius or Guarneri violins/etc.
Hi Chris, there are many theories, and many experiences, about "special" instruments, tonewoods, top thicknessing, bracing, age of woods, and set up etc. Large brands that make hundreds or even thousands of identical guitars, cannot thickness each top individual, and so have them all thicknessed to the same dimensions by a special machine. Some will be too dense, some will be too thin and some will be "just right". A sole luthier or a talented "top-thicknesser" like Bruce Van Wart for Collings, could make every top ideal work to its best. Then there are all the other things that are stuck to that top, and how it is set up and who plays it. A myriad of variables, I guess. Thanks for watching.
Yeah, this drives me crazy. I've bought a few Eastmans of late and generally been disappointed with the tone out of the box. Some days they sound better than others and only one has continued to sound like I'd hoped. I end up selling probably before I've given them a fair shake but I haven't wanted to stay with something I don't like. It drives me nuts sometimes.
Hi, I have my two Eastman flat tops and have been pleasantly surprised at the tone right out of the box. Of course we don't know how long they ave been "mellowing", and as I know only too well, my hearing changes from day to day. They are fine by me.
Two months ago I bought a used 2016 Eastman E40-OM that has phenomenal tone. In spite of its age, it looked new and had no fret wear. From what I have read, Eastmans have Adirondack tops. I've noticed that both my Eastman and my Martin J-40 will take five minutes or so of playing before they totally wake up and present their overtones. I have no idea why that is, or maybe it just takes that long for my hearing to get in sync with the guitar?...
Hi Ernie, I must have heard it over the years, but have been checking out the may versions on Y/T! couldn't understand the lyrics by Mr O'Keefe's live version, but have now learnt them and willtry to make my own version 'ere long! Thankyou!
@@SillyMoustache I look forward to hearing it from you. The song has been covered by several other artists throughout the years. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and talent with us. God bless from your Tennessee peeps.
Hi Glad you are happy - and thanks for watching my videos - As I'm not an electric player, I'm afraid I can't offer any comments on your ES330. Regards,
@@brycejamesfilm5 No, not really, they are made to resist resonation in order to reduce feedback. They have pups screwed to the top preventing it from resonating, and insufficient air space for acoustically amplify the sound.
Hi Andy, Thank you so much for all these wonderful introspective videos. I really appreciate your channel, thoughts, playing, and lovely collection of guitars. I couldn't find any videos talking about your humification approach for your instruments so I'm curious to know what your practice is in regards to it? Kind Regards - Chris
Hi Chris, tanks for the kind words. I live in the south of England near the coast, and in a "fairly" well insulated 40 year old house. (that's "new" here!) Our weather is pretty temperate, few extremes. I have pretty good hygrometers where I keep my guitars. and RH rarely gets below 35% or above 55%. and temps inside the house rarely lower than 65f, or higher than 80f. In case of low humidity I use Music Nomad in case humidifiers. I've never seen RH higher than 60% but if we have prolonged wet weather, they all go into cases. hope that helps.
what you are saying is a powerful argument to NOT get a lot of acoustic guitars. I guess having one, or maybe two, exceptional guitars where both get played everyday is better than having a bunch of guitars where only one or two get played regularly, while the others sadly "go to sleep" as you put it. In any case, great argument to keep playing guitars! :)
Great video Andy. Just wondering, any idea what happens to the cell structure of the wood as a guitar is opening up? Is it just a case of the wood drying out or is there more going on, such as the wood "learning" to vibrate in a certain way?
Hi Homer, good to hear from you! The honest answer is that I don't know. However, I do have a theory (which is my own.. cough) (Monty Python reference!) I think/suppose, that it is the glue hardening, and increasing the union of the various woods allowing all to resonate as a single entity. (FWIW). Drying out, being played/resonated, its all in the mix somehow. (I guess).
Great question. I recently purchased a Gibson mandolin that is 16 years old. The previous owner had it in a closet for 4-5 years and said it would open up after a couple weeks of play and they were correct. It continued to sound better and better for the first month, maybe longer but I could not distinguish more than 2-4 weeks. Since the back and somewhat the sides are percussive and the top simply as a means to contain the sound, being wood it needs to move and the more it moved, the smoother and louder it gets. This is why new instruments sound flatter and tinny, versus mellow and louder. I think the wood fibers and the joint simply need to "relax" to allow it to do what it was meant to do.
It is an interesting topic. Did you know there are tools for automating this process? And by this I don't mean ageing but the product ToneRite. It basically vibrates your strings and after some time the guitar opens. But I never tried it and the reviews are quite controversial. Greetings from Zurich
Hi Ziraffe My apologies for my poor diction - god, didn't I ramble! In my humble opinion Rosewood is warmer (a little more bass?) than mahogany, which is more balanced, whereas Maple is neutral - resonating well, but having little "colouration" to the tone. It is most often used in violin family instruments and archtops, and mandolins, and has been for a very long time. Hope that help, Andy
Thanx SMou ^ Warmest tonewood ? 3:58 is still unclear, but apart from that your observations are followed. Like your films. Acually saw this before some years ago and the 'opening up phenomenon' remains an intriguing riddle. So does the ear/woods dillemma. Just remember that guitars DO change - and that you can check your psycho-sonic-perception simply by taking another guit or 2 and sense what they tell compared to the doubt-maker. Best Thoughts from Copenhagen
Interesting. Just got myself a ”nice” solid wood guitar. What can you say about humidity and using humidifiers. Winter is coming and I can expect indoor humidity levels below 20% here in Sweden. Any experience you can share?
Hallå där, 20%RH is dangerous to guitars. I use "Music Nomad" soundhole humidifiers (and use distilled water) and keep them in the guitars in cases. In the "olden days" people used to put a half an apple in the accessory box, try both. (remembering to check both the humidifier and rotten fruit regularly. Jag hoppas att detta hjälper och ger min kärlek till Sverige! ol' Andy
@@SillyMoustache Tack så mycket! Då ska jag se vilken lösning jag väljer - spontant låter Music Nomad säkrare än äpplet :). Sverige ger sin kärlek tillbaka! /magnus
Really interesting subject. I have watched the vid thru twice and have read many of the comments, You have really hit on something. I wonder if you have any recordings of the brand new guitars versus many weeks or months after they have 'opened up' ? Do you have any before and after sleeping / awake examples. Many of those commenting on your findings say they bought guitars, Gibson, Martin , Eastman and say they have been disappointed when buying them ????Only later they opened up ??? What ? Why did all these people buy guitars that were dead when new, sounded like cardboard etc, Why Why Why ?? Incredible statements . Were they just buying a name ? if the sound was dead why buy them ?? I really cannot fathom out some of the comments. On your subject I do believe you have a point on the 'opening' up after continuous playing, maybe to do with grain alignment v vibration and resonance but I really can't get my head around how manufacturers sell NEW guitars that are 'dead' or sound like cardboard when brand new ???? Do they all sound like crap in the store ? Would it not be simple to PLAY THEM IN , at the factory, or give them the TR treatment to the tops before fitting them or some bit of wizzardry ? Thanks for a great channel. PS Ayers AS guitar, best I've ever had or will have. Sits on a stand in my practice room, has done for 10 years, never in a case unless in transit.
Hi Les, thank you for your comments. Firstly, I don't believe that new guitars sound like crap (whatever crap sounds like) but they are often "tight" and feel a bit choked. I believe that Yamaha has some way of "TR"ing their better products, but I'm not convinced by my TR. and I'm not convinced that the high volume producers Martin, Gibson etc., could justify the extra cost of "conditioning" guitars before shipping. My last two purchases were Eastmans, bought sight unseen and both surprised me with their openness. My Santa Cruz had been in stock for over two years before it got to me and took me a year or so to "open up, and same thing with my Waterloo. It's just the way it is. btw, I know two people with Ayers guitars and they are both great tonally. Thanks for watching my vids.
Nice vid! Here are my facts - I have a 3 year old Martin HD28 that lives out of its case, in my office and is played about an hour per day. Have used a ToneRite on it once for about a week. Have always loved the sound of the guitar, still do. Can’t really tell if it has improved with age. My questions for you - how often do you “reapply” the ToneRite to your guitars? How long do these follow up sessions go for? Thanks for posting this video. Keep up the good work!
Hi Red Dog, truth is -I haven't used it for about 4 years. I've bought two new guitars since - small body Eastmans and not felt the need to improve on their tonality or depth apart from playing them. I used it last (that I noted) in 2018 on my Santa Cruz. It IS an option - it was quite expensive and I'm sure it will work on some guitars ad not on others. I've heard of peropl feling that their guitar "go to sleep" I've not experienced this. Regards, Andy
Thanks for the reply,@@SillyMoustache (Andy), I have a ToneRite that’s been sitting in a closet for at least a couple of years. I guess I’ll put it to better use and see what happens. Maybe I’ll make a habit of hooking it up to my HD when I travel. Watched two more of your vids and subscribed. I look forward to further enjoyment of your channel. Best, Bennett.
It sounds good ...I actually bought a Tanglewood roadster the orchestra model...it's mahogany and hand crafted and designed in the UK ...but what a guitar...this guitar is a good price and comes in different models,but the sound is brilliant I had to break it in
It's a mahogany guitar it's non varnished but has a special wax...and is designed for time you should check the Tanglewood roadster it has 3 models and the price range is always under 200..but I was very pleased with the orchestra model
Hi David, I'm aware of the Tanglewood name but not these guitars. I'm glad you have found a guitar that suits you. Play it in good health, Thanks for watching.
@@SillyMoustache I actually get what you mean by breaking in the guitar....you mentioned that the old guitar in the case became a dead piece of wood over time....a method that helps believe it or not is ..a carrot.. ,😂you place a carrot in the sound hole and the carrot helps the guitar...I'm sure there's videos on it ...but the carrot goes thin .. it's a trick that came to mind right away...men used to place carrots in the guitars.... acoustic guitar is a whole different world you must treat it with love,yes I went for wood quality the Tanglewood is a UK handcrafted brand it's not varnished but waxed and a beutifull balanced tone...I write songs with this ,as the sound is such that two chords is sufficient,
the ones that survive are the good ones... mmm well said. I have been enjoying your musings and insights on music and guitars for awhile now and have to say how lucky we are that you survived your bout with throat cancer. Thanks for your videos. Keep on Keepin' on
I totally agree, I have a 0028 which sounds great and a Simon & Patrick which is getting there. You have some great guitars with beautiful tones, thanks for sharing
Hi August. I'm truly touched, thanks.
that is called "survivorship bias" :)
Great video! I love how you talk about making sure you buy the right materials in your guitar, then put in the work. I've discovered that the inlay on the headstock adds nothing to the sound! Recently, I bought a $400 chinese made Recording King rd328, 30 year old adi solid top, solid Indian rosewood back and sides, ebony fretboard and bridge. I added Waverly open gear tuners, bone bridge pins, and sat it in front of my 70s speaker for 2 weeks. It sounds as good as any guitar on my wall... all marquee brands (martin, taylor, hoffman, bourgeois, gibson).
"The love you take, is equal to the love you make"
Again with the magnificent storytelling sir.... thank you. I love hearing you talk about your guitars.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
STORYTELLING FOR SURE. L.O.L.
Nice listening to you telling your stories. Never gets boring
Hi, that's good to know, thanks for listening.
Excellent tips here. Many thanks Andy. My new solid Taylor Koa is going through a similar incubation period. Hope it will open up soon.
I'm sure it will, Best, Andy
Ive just bought a brand new gibson hummingbird. I learned so much from your video about the wood & tone, & how to get the most out of my guitar.
Thank you for the great content from a younger chap to a true gent!
Hi Daniel, thanks for your kind comment. I' delighted that uui have found my ramblings useful I hope your new gibson gives you great joy. Check this out : ua-cam.com/video/282iDupaVM4/v-deo.html
Im glad i found this video. I just bought a new hd28, and it does sound a little less than i think it should. I will try to observe the progress of “opening her up”.
Thank you for this insight
"When you buy a new guitar - that's the worst it's ever gonna sound" - C.F. Martin IV.
2021
Fascinating insight.
Excellent presentation.
Thank you kindly.
Essex.
Hi Les, thank you for your kind words! Please have a look around my other videos. comments and queries always welcome. Give my regards to Essex!
How terribly fascinating. Thank you for your insight on the topic!
thank you for watching.
Hi Andy, I don’t have anything to share or add to this topic but I wanted to post to say how much I enjoy all your video’s. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight. I look forward to all your video’s. Thank you !
That's good enough for me! It is always heartening to receive positive feedback like yours, and it is appreciated. Best regards, Ol' Andy
Thanks Andy. Great information. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us.
Hi Ernie, thanks for the kind words, and for watching.
I just ran into you and you are awesome! Thank you. Great enjoyment watching and listening. Thank you. Sincerely Richard.
Hi Richard, thank you kindly. Please consider subscribing, and please look around my videos. I try to respond to all comments and queries and welcome ideas for further videos.
I've found the Prime Vibe to be the best device for opening up an acoustic guitar. It works on the same principle as sitting a guitar near a speaker, but it directs the music vibration onto the top. Prime Vibe says that 100 hours of use approximates 40 years of playing. I don't know about that, but I can say that 100 hours will make a significant improvement. The Prime Vibe works.
Hi MJT, I'd not heard of this product. Seemingly unavailable in the UK currently so don't know price or effectiveness. I'm currently happy to put my latest guitar in front of the speakers connected to my TV ..as I can look at it during the adverts! Thanks for watching.
Hi and thanks for your excellent videos and solid contribution to like minded people like myself. I’m probably about the same age as as yourself and from what you say, I believe we have a lot in common, although I have a silly beard. Its very interesting what you have to say related to everything about the subject of acoustic guitars. I’m still trying to learn as much as possible. I have a Lowden F 10, a Mcilroy A36, Martin D28, Martin 000-18 and more recently acquired a Collings SJ Indie that I play all mainly at home, although I sometimes play the D28 in pubs.
I would add that I’ve noticed that temperature and humidity greatly influences the factors of resonance, loudness, playability, tone and projection, ( or liveliness/deadness). I find that they all sound better at a temperature of 25C and medium to high humidity. I presume that my guitars have “opened up,” as they were all second hand when I bought them. I would be interested to hear your comments on temperature and humidity and experiences etc.
Many thanks.
Phil in Leeds.
Long ago I was friends with a Luthier that specialized in violins. Repair was his bred and butter but of course new builds were his joy. As you know no one wants a new fiddle no matter how nicely it is made. One day I was paying him a visit when I noticed a new build hanging in the center a small room with four sun lamps from the four corners of the room pointed at it. I ask him what he was doing and he said he was "aging it." I laughed at first but he then explained how and why. One thing the shellac finish is sun sensitive and the other the drying of the wood.
Sounds reasonable ! Thanks for the info.
PRETTY SURE YOUR FRIEND WAS JUST TRYING TO TAN IT. IF YOU WANT TO TRY IT I WOULD RECOMMEND RUBBING A LITTLE COPPER TONE ON IT FIRST.
Hi, yes, I don't think that "torrefying" is a new concept. Thanks for that.
I have a nice OM that is about 10 years old. When hanging on a wall acts like a passive speaker amplifying every sound including music and speech. It is fantastically open and relaxed.
Very nice! and that is how I open up my guitars!
I have a 1 yr old Eastman that I’ve been leaving in sunlight (indoors) , setting next to my amp when playing electric, & next to stereo speakers while at work. Like you say, I don’t have 20 yrs to wait. I’m also a geek for maximizing things. I want the guitar to sound the best it possibly can. I swear it sounds quite a bit better in less than a year. Thanks for this video. Helps me to not think I’m the only one to believe this sorta thing. I really enjoy your videos.
Haha Dan - I've just taken my Eastman out of its case and stood it in the sunshine next to the cat! I have to say that I dot really feel that it needs more opening as it sounds great from new but maybe it has been hanging up in Ivor Mairants for some time absorbing the noise and hub-bub - who knows. As I doubt I'll be taking out much, so it'll sit in front of the speakers that give us our TV sound or up in my office/cell listening to the radio.
I am 66 and am blessed to have more fine acoustic guitars than I can possibly do justice in terms of keeping them awake. I recently purchased a used Bedel Bahia orchestra model. Brazilian RW with Addi top. The original owner had never even registered it. I own a Collins om1SB with a baked top I purchased new in 16. It sounded awesome day one and has been my primary play since. Playing the 2 guitars back to back new strings etc. the Bedel is obviously tight. After a lot of research I just purchase a Tone Traveler. I'm hoping that will help me do right by these fine instruments. Guitars are created to be played. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. 👍
You are most welcome. Thanks for watching.
My first 'real' guitar I bought used but was well played and lived in a lively guitar store. I never really believed in guitars 'opening up'. I bought a new Martin OM and for the first time started playing at a bluegrass jam. I guess it was the first time I really played loudly. One night, at the jam, all of a sudden it felt like every part was vibrating: the back was the most obvious, but I could feel the neck moving too. I'm sold! They just get more enjoyable to play each time. I am a bit disappointed by the lack of name calling and chest beating especially here on UA-cam though. This entire thing of people being civilised just won't do. ;) You are always a gentleman, and we are all the better for you documenting these bits of knowledge.
Thank you for the kind words. I try to impart some of the knowledge I've absorbed over the years. Seems silly to let it go when you die.
Andy: Good video as usual. I have a couple of things that I do to break in a new guitar. I start off by making sure that they are played every day for fifteen months, about 500 hours (I think I picked that tip up from Dana Bourgeois) before I put it into the rotation. I also try to expose them to every frequency I can by playing a variety of tunings e.g., DADGAD, Drop D, Open D, Open G and standard and finally I play every genre of music that I know: even Classical and Gypsy Jazz. I thrash them pretty good with a flat pick when playing bluegrass and do a lot of fingerstyle. I think it's also useful to utilize the entire neck.
Hi William, that's very thorough, I'm not that disciplined but I get there in the end. Thanks for watching.
I like to play the tuba and the trumpet in rooms that have my guitars and pianos. The resonate each-other, and play such a symbiotic part in each-other’s sound. Great video! Thank you.
Thanks, I'll recommend that all guitarists get a tuba asap! Seriously though, thanks for your feedback.
Good morning
Interesting video (from one guitar anorak to another!)
I’ve got 7 guitars which I would regard as “high end “ and several Asian built mid range ones.
They’re all good and well set up. Having that many, it’s easy for one to get ignored for a while and “go to sleep “.
I’ve found the Tonerite to be very effective as a quick restorer. My luthier calls it “instant vintage!”
Re ageing, I have a Gibson L00 from 1934 which I bought in a very sorry state some years ago and had restored ( to a very high standard by my miracle worker luthier!)
I did use the Tonerite on it after restoration which worked a treat.BUT there’s something in the sound which is not there in modern instruments. “That old sound”. If any of my guitars has something called “Mojo” then that one is it.
I’m sure it is as you say, something to do with changes in the wood which occur over considerable time.
I’ve played torified tops and get the point but I don’t think you get old sound from a new guitar ( at least not in my experience).
Just my two penn’eth.
Thanks for the videos; I always enjoy them.
Regards
Hi Stanby, generally speaking I think I'd agree with all you say. My venture into small guitars was really inspired by two prewar Gibsons - one was an L-00 that a friend had rebuilt, and the other was a Nick Lucas version of the "L-1" the supposedly Robert Johnson shape" both of which ere truly magical. Just before Christmas I attended a small "jam" and a lady friend produced a guitar that she had received as part of her divorce settlement and it was a '30s L-00. Relatively good condition, on the way to a rest, but socially ...Meh! but I do understand ad agree with you about the magical "something" that is best found in real elderly instruments - I haven['t yet experienced a "torrified top - so don't have an opinion - I know that Bill Collings supplied them because people wanted them but didn't think much of the idea. Thanks for watching and for your kind comments.
Hi Andy, another great presentation, thanks. My WL12 should be nicely opened up by now, it’s been hanging on the wall of Mr. C’s guitar shop for nigh on a year ! I need to get on to them....
I definitely AM a believer in the opening up principle. I have noticed it most evident in my little Taylor GS Mini, I got that one almost new and virtually unplayed and it certainly got better after being thrashed by all and sundry for a year.
I do own a couple of “proper” guitars, Martins and such, but, being cheap, I have always fished pre-thrashed ones out of the bay and they have probably done most of their opening up in their first year, before I ever heard them.
I do use Tonerite for waking sleeping guitars, I leave em on for a couple of weeks in the spare room. I go in from time to time and change the tunings, open G is nice , don’t honestly know if it makes any bloody dif. but it’s fun.
One thing you didn’t mention, ToneRite KILLS STRINGS ! So I always leave the old ones on when I use it and put a new set on when it’s done.
I haven’t tried T/R on my Emerald carbon fibre guitar.... maybe if I gave it full power for about 500 years ?
Hi Jon, great to hear from you! (How's the "grill" ?)
Is your WL-12 STILL at Charlie's ? I've just looked and he's only advertising a WL-14. (Cash coming your way?
My Collings DS2h sold in a week or so - makes me think it was priced too low!
I confess that I haven't used my tonerite for years now - don't think I ever used it on the Waterloo.
No , I didn't mention string death - but surely you'd expect that?
I don't think I'd advise using one on your Emerald but what do I know?
anyway - a happy 2020 to you sir and I hope we cross paths again sometime (I got accused of profanity on you know where for using the phrase smartarse!)
Ha ! A couple of years ago they didn’t know that “arse” was a such a dirty word ! I tried to tell them, but they Kerbied my enthusiasm... Far canal, I doubt if you can get far call past those moderators now ... ps. My grill is holding up well .
Thanks very interesting. I recently bought a Martin om 28 and I will expose it to radio.i enjoy your vids. Always informative and entertaining. Thanks.
Thanks Walruss!
This inspired me to donate to a cancer research org today. Thanks for the great content!
I'm touched by that. Whilst my cancer treatment hs caused a lot of damage in my head and neck, i can't speak high enough of the folks who cared for me. Sadly, due to covid, I cannot get my scheduled quarterly inspections at present, but I'm still here and so are many thanks to their work.
Another vital angle to acoustic guitars that is not found elsewhere. Thank you!!! Please keep up the good (great) work!
Thanks, will do! but I welcome your suggestions for more videos.
Very interesting. Thank you for this video
Thank you for watching,
The last guitar I built was a redwood topped instrument. It was my first with redwood and initially I was very concerned i'd built a brick as it had huge and drastic changes in its response over the first week of its life, yet the low end never seemed to arrive, something that appeared significantly quicker in my spruce topped instruments. After another week or so of playing the bass arrived and the sound balanced out and it was more like what i'd hoped for. It lives with my father so when I see it again every few months to me it always seems to have subtly changed, but it's character has now settled and you can still hear that every time you play it.
Hi David, that's most interesting, thanks.
I own three redwood topped guitars, two sinker and one very special top wood that I purchased from a Northern California supplier in the late ‘90s. I was building at the time. All are high end and hand-built. Redwood is a strange animal in the acoustic world. It’s kind of like wanting your cake and eating it too. Generally speaking(very generally), redwood imparts the flavor of a spruce top rather than a cedar top. But it blooms with harmonics and overtones like cedar. It is softer than most spruce, comparable to Englemann I think. So it has more headroom than cedar but less than Sitka or European spruce. Thus for me it’s the perfect top wood for my style of play which is 90% finger style. Flat picking works as long as you don’t dig too deeply into it. Redwood ages like all good tone wood,but…. It does not age fast nor does it keep getting better and better over time. It will eventually sort of flatten out. I find the magic of redwood more in the pairing of back and side wood rather than focusing solely on the top. I think it works well with Walnut, some rosewoods (Madagascar is my favorite), good Koa wood (lots of junk out there) and some mahoganies. Bracing architecture is critical to Redwood. Too many builders apply the same bracing formula as spruce to redwood and then wonder why it doesn’t sound right. Anyway, I love a well made redwood topped guitar but the devil is always in the details and you may indeed have to kiss a lot of frogs to find “the one”. All IMHO, of course.
Just a great presentation.Thank you Andrew for sharing your wealth of knowledge.We can always learn something from others.The journey continues...
My pleasure! and , I have vacancies for Zoom lessons if interested.
My local luthier who built my mandolin also builds violins. The completed violins are put into a larger wood box which has speakers at each end facing each other. He plays classical violin music for hours over a few days before delivering them. I continue to put my mandolin in front of a speaker and play quiet classical guitar and violin music when not in use.
Hi YT has only just made me aware of your comments ! sorry about that - but you re-enforce my theory.
I SURE HOPE TO GOD HE SPRINKLED A LITTLE FAIRY DUST ON THEM FIRST.
Great information! Thanks for the video, Andy,
I just picked up a device called the Dr. Herringbone Tone Traveler, which works a bit like the Tonerite you are using.
I've put each of my guitars on it for around 24 hours and will be doing some more experimenting with it.
Hi, I've had my Tonerite for years now and haven't really used it for almost as long, but I'm using it now on a '98 build Collings which seems to have gone to sleep/ been unused. I'd like to try the Tone traveller, and should have agreed when they offered to send me one. Let me know how it works for you. Andy.
@@SillyMoustache Will do!
Very interesting! My experience with my cello, which wasn’t played for years due to shoulder surgery, sounded quite dead and it took another year of playing and house noise and music to open it up again…
Hi, I see no reason why the effects witnessed/perceived by acoustic guitarists should not also be experienced by classical instruments such as your cello.
Hi Andy, having listened to this video numerous times, I’ve surmised that these comments come from players that have numerous guitars or simply don’t play daily. Having more than one guitar is fine and very enjoyable, but not playing the guitars very often is counterproductive. I have only two guitars, both Martin and after about 3 years of playing, what a blessing of sustain and projection. Just from playing with a flat pick and travis picking. You’re correct in stating the more you dig in and get that top vibrating the better. My point is just play the guitar frequently and trust me, it’ll open up just fine. It has for me. Thanks for all the videos.
Hi Rob, a good point. Thank you.
Fascinating video good sir.as an aside to this , some years ago ,I was in the market for an acoustic for playing jazz fingerstyle . I went to a music shop and tried most of the guitars there and ended up walking away with a quite old yamaha classical guitar, the sound was (to me) absolute gorgeous, lots of depth and tone. It just felt right. Cost me the grand total of £50 and with d'addarios on it was even better. It may not be the most expensive or classy guitar in the world, but when I put that guitar on, its like a comfy pair of slippers. It never sits in a box or bag. Anyway, thanks for the video. All the best.
Hi, I haven't owned a classical for ages, but i remember two modestly priced ones that were wonderful and both owned by girl friends back in the '70s. Both were Levins (the guitars not the ladies!)
I love this video just to hear you play bits and pieces of music. Beautiful playing!
Thank You TM!
I've often heard about this way to open up the sound - and it's true: the longer you play (and literally *play* , not just sitting pretty in a case) an acoustic, the better it'll become.
Putting it near speakers is a great way of speeding that up a fair bit 😉
I have an acoustic bass that was hardly ever used before I got it, and it's in my studio - merrily humming along 😎👍
Hi Claude, I tend to agree, playing it is by far the best way, but keeping it "moving" is optimal. Thanks for watching.
Just discovered your channel. Love your content. Subscribed!
Thanks and welcome! Please note that I always welcome comments, questions, and even criticisms, and try to reply. If you have any suggestions, be it songs or guitar related stuff, don't hesitate to ask.
Very interesting. Ive made a number of guitars and furniture, worked for several saw mills over the years so Ive got to know woods pretty well and their characteristics. I think wood density has a lot to do with sounds and that can very from one log to another even.
I believe so too. Thanks for watching.
Have a brand new D18 that i hope to open up with these processes. Thanks for all the information!
Can't hurt! But the amount of time in infinitely variable. Good luck!
Thanks for this video I'm just now coming across it I have a Martin 000 - 17 whiskey sunset and when I got it it sounded so trebly. After a year of leaving in front of my speakers and playing it daily it's like night and day what a beautiful guitar! Thanks for this video.
Hi Christian, I'm glad that your Martin is now sounding as it should - and that it proves my "Theory".
I believe that playing in a bedroom or den would take 10 lifetimes to really open up a guitar. The old Martins that we love have spend much more time being played but also sitting on a live stage or studios absorbing all the sounds they are exposed to. So yes giving a little push will make all the difference. I put my Stratocaster down against my tube amp and let a hum feed back with my guitar hanging 12 inches away. You can adjust your volume, tone, and even add a little reverb and tremolo. I left my Collings D2h baaa for 20 minutes with brand new strings and the strings were already dead. That’s like playing a few hours maybe 4-5 for two weeks to get to that point for the strings. I noticed a difference in the overtones. They had more ambiance overall but were pleasantly balanced. After the new strings. I used to do this with a Martin D-28 along with leaving it inside my den on a table with direct bright sun all day, only slightly warming the top. 2 years after I owned it, the top went from the new white tent to beyond the vintage toner color and really had a 3 demented depth in the grain. I’ve always heard that you can train would gain to hold energy in different directions and you can also train tone into instruments. You need a guitar with a lot of character to be able to notice. Just like nuts, saddle, bridge pin material is negligible on a lesser instrument but extremely noticeable on a high depth sounding guitar. Finally I’m a firm believer that vibrations will age the wood faster driving out oils and thus hardening the resins.
Very interesting Jeff, we share similar ideas. similar Ideas, My newest guitar, my Eastman e20-P spends the evenings in front of one of the hi-fi speakers used for our TV. and the day time sunbathing. It does have to compete with the cat who likes the same places, but it's working well.
I have all of my acoustics hanging up... picked one up the other day that I'd purchase just before the lockdown because it was beautiful (simple as that) but I was disappointed with the sound... amazed that it now sounds so good after hanging around. I've pretty much played electric through the lockdown so perhaps my amps openned it up. Always interesting...regards
Very cool!
Your presentation is engaging and charming and you are clearly knowledgeable. Like your playing too! Wish you continued good health!
Hi Jennifer (?) Thank you for your kind comments. I hope that youfound this video useful, and please have a browse through my other videos (I seem to have made quite a lot! Regards Ol' Andy
I totally agree, I purchased a new Gibson RB 250 Banjo in 1973 and it was a few years of playing before it found its true voice it is now a fantastic instrument to play and just seems to get better with time
Thanks for sharing, best, Andy.
I totally agree with all your thoughts. Another excellent video 😊
Thank you Sid, thanks for watching.
Would be interesting for you to look at how the sound in your new Eastman might change as you play it
That' a good idea, maybe in six months or so. Thanks!
I sometimes wonder also if our perception changes over time. Because I have owned this particular vintage guitar for about a year and a half, and I feel the tone now much better than a year ago. But in reality I think not much changed with the guitar in that time. I believe I can play better now, and I am more aware of how the instrument responds to my playing. I am more in touch with the instrument. I believe the tone of guitars does improve over time due to the vibrations and changes in the wood and changes in the instrument, but also I think our perception of the tone may become more acute, and over time we better adapt our playing style for that particicular instrument.
Hi, I am sure that this is also a real factor. Sound and tone is not just what our ears "receive" but how our brains interpret the signals.
I like your insight and theories. Valued, as it is obvious you have tested , almost, experiences backing up your theores
Hi Edward, they say that we learn through our mistakes, and, well I've learnt quite a lot over the years. Thanks for watching.
Really interesting. I have a 565 Taylor that sounded wonderfully warm and everyone wanted to buy it from me. It got badly scrapped on the soundboard and went to Taylor (in Amsterdam) for refinishing. They made a superb job but I was disapointed to find that the guitar then sounded 'tinny'. After a couple of weeks I came to the conclusion that this was a consequence of the refinishing which made the guitar effectively 'new'. Im hoping that the tone will mellow soon as I am also far too old to wait around !
I'm sorry to read this. I'm afraid I dolt know much about Taylors so can't really comment.
Yes, very interesting. That Collings Dreadnought is just glorious sounding and beautiful to behold too. Sadly, such an instrument is beyond my purse, let alone a collection such as yours. These nuggets of information are priceless. I certainly somewhat rue the years I have clung on to playing electric and I am glad to have moved on now. I’m not just searching for a decent dreadnought for around £1000 (possibly an Eastman) but also a decent starter mandolin too just to get me going. I’m heading towards American Folk and Bluegrass styles primarily. This video has got me thinking, should I perhaps look for a well played in instrument second hand rather than buying new?
Hi, you my see from my other recent videos that I recently acquired an Eastman E20-P Even as a Collings player, I have to say I'm impressed with the Eastman. I wish they did a 12 fret dread!
I have a Yamaha FG450SA that I bought in 1990. I had 2 lessons, put it in the wardrobe and forgot about it. 28 years later I decided to try again. When I brought it out of the box the top was looking like freshly cut wood, but very rapidly turned a golden colour. I still have it and it sounds great.
Good for you! I confess that I dolt like new pale tops so I let them sunbathe a little (Through windows, morning light etc. They do darken down nicely. Enjoy your Yamaha!
By 2024, there are several items that will "wake up " a guitar (Tone Traveler)
Those radio speakers possibly work just as well. So does playing the guitar. I play 20 hours a week at a retirement community. A guitar sounds different after a month. Thanks again, Andy.
Yeah, I don't play so much now, apart from at my own club and a few local places, and I don't have any active partners any more.
We also have a cat that hates me playing!
Also, I have more instruments than fingers and toes so ..... Thanks as always,
@@SillyMoustache my dog seems to like the home playing/ practice. Sundays I bring a 2nd instrument for alternate tunings and such. A 4+ hour day
I bought a Lowden 32se brand new, about 8 years ago, and when I played it for the first few times I thought it sounded quite 'bright'.
I wanted a Lowden specifically for it's renowned balanced sound, and although it still sounded very good, I didn't think it was 'great'.
I got told to keep it in a case when not in use, with a humidifying system in the case to keep it perfectly humidified, and in a place where the temperature was perfect,, blah blah .... no thanks, I'm not that type of -person, I like to just grab it and play as often as I can.
So the Lowden has literally been just hung on my bedroom wall, and played as much as possible.
8 years later, it now sounds amazing.
It does sound better when the humidity is 50%-60% and when it is particularly dry (35%-40% humidity), it does lack a little something, but living in the UK with all the rain, it sounds amazing 95% of the time 😀
Hi, I live in the south east (England) and RH has been pretty high this year. We rarely get very low humidity like people in desert areas of the USA etc. I believe 45-55% is ideal but my guitars have coped with 60% but I have put most in cases with silica bags when RH got over 60% At LOW Humidity (35% etc, I do find that I get buzzing on some and rather "dry" tonality. I also suspect that guitars settle down after ten-twenty years. Just keep an eye on the bridges to make sure they aren't lifting. Best, Andy
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your earned wisdom and your humble musings. I bought a Gibson southern jumbo in 2014. I liked something about its tone but always felt it was not quite sounding full and relaxed. I am not a slicked player but a skilled listener and I love to strum and pick when I can. However mostly only in the winter months. This year the guitar has seemed to really blossom for reasons unexplained. It is more lively than ever. I will never let this one go. Oddly it mostly rests in its tone tomb yet it has risen and has inspired me to get better at plucking and strumming. Ps. I love the way you make your guitars sing.
Hi Lynn, thank you for the kind words, and whilst I'm not that familiar with modern Gibsons, I glad thet your SJ has proved succesful for you. I think that the more you play it, the better it will be. Play in good health.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT A RELAXED GUITAR SOUNDS LIKE ? I MEAN IS IT LIKE ONE THAT'S JUST COME OFF VACATION FROM THE BAHAMAS ? 😂 🤣 😂
One of u tubes more interesting videos , l have played guitars for over 50 years and found like you suggest playing just works wonders to the sound. I don’t have enough hours in the day to play all my guitars but they all are wall mounted and l do make a lot of noise, l suppose they are all happy. Thanks for posting. Stay safe.
Thank you Roy, and thanks for watching.
Andy
Very informative
I came back for a second or third watch ✌🏼
As I have just taken delivery of a PRS P20 mahogany acoustic
Thank you 🙏
Take care ✌🏼
Hi Keith, I'm glad that you found this useful. Thanks for watching.
I like the video, very informative on a topic that's quite interesting and many times overlooked when deciding on an instrument. Or improving the instruments you already have that are not getting enough play time. I recently started using the Tone Traveler and it makes a difference in sound of all my instruments. More sustain and volume and they all have much more of a 'ring' to it. Love it, treated some of my friends instruments and they confirmed the benefits. And no - this not paid advertising, I'm just liking what it does to my instruments.
Thank you Peter, I did buy a Tonerite when they first came out which had a marginal effect on some. Ive heard of the Tone Traveller device, but thus far they don't seem to be available in the UK.
@@SillyMoustache Howdy from NC and great video! We are available in the UK and we offer free international shipping!
@@drherringbone7305 Thanks for making contact. Do you consider that your product improves "played in" instruments? I'm not really seeking improvements to any of mine but should you wish to have an unbiased opinion, and to send me a sample unit, I'd be prepared to make a video about it.
Had no idea this was the case until I bought a new Epiphone hummingbird. Was shocked by how "thin" the original playing sounded. after a few days, it was obvious the guitar was improving. after a month it is still getting better!
Yup, that can happen but there is no way of telling how much or how long.
Hi Andy, I am loving your discussion about the technical aspects of guitars and ergonomics. I am a 46 year old just starting out with guitar and have found your videos interesting and informative. I wanted to ask your opinion about guitar choice. Several sources suggest choosing a guitar based primarily on sound but after watching your video, I wonder if the sound of the guitar at the time of purchase may not be so critical if it is going to open up with use. I want to buy the best guitar that I can so as not to waste money upgrading etc. I would love to hear your thoughts on this
Hi Benjamin -firstly thank you for considering my advice even worth taking! I;d suggest that you consider that buying guitars is a bit like the situation with princesses and frogs! You have to try a fair few. With few exceptions the more you pay the better sounding they will probably be, but, with respect, if you are still relatively new to the acoustic guitar, it takes some years to get "tuned in" to appreciating tonal qualities (a bit like wine tasting!) My advice would be:
1. Try to ascertain what kind of playing style you want to do (flat-picking, fingerstyle - "strumming" - (I hate that word) or whatever.
2. Try to find a guitar (or guitars) (within your budget) that are suitable for (1) that you find most comfortable for your left hand - think fretboard width and neck shape/profile.
3. Don't go for a large bodied guitar if you are still establish your playing posture.
4. Don't go for one with a cutaway - many of us don't like them and so (I suspect) they are more difficult to sell on or trade).
5. Don't buy a guitar with built in electrics - that just means you are spending an appreciable part of your budget on stuff you'll probably never use!
6. Ask around about which budget brands are well thought of (I've been so impressed by Eastman that I went out and bought one!).
........ Well, you've given me an idea for another video! .....
BTW - i did say that some and/or "good" guitars tend to "open" up. some are fine from the start, some never do. - avoid laminated or "HPL" guitars.
Hope that helps.
Silly Moustache thanks very much for the considered response. I consider your advice valuable because: a) you play wonderfully b) you have clearly given these matter much though and articulate your thoughts well and c) you seem to be without commercial bias, which is great.
1. My current preference is finger style
2. My budget is 2-3k USD
3. I find large nut widths difficult to form some chords on. I am more comfortable around the 1 3/4 inch mark from my limited experience
I was thinking of a 00 or 000 sized guitar, possibly from Martin, Taylor or Yamaha. Am I on the right track?
Thanks again
@@TheWesternPacific Have you bought anything, Ben?
@@TheWesternPacific so,what did you decide to buy?
That was very interesting Andy, and lots of comments, as a very light player, my guitars seem to take 3 - 4 years to open up, see you Friday.
Ok Chris, thanks for watching!
very interesting, putting my guitar in front of speakers right now. thank you
I don't believe it can hurt, but it can take time.
It's never too late to resonate. Gosh, I'm a poet and was hitherto entirely unaware of it! 😳
hehe!
To accelerate break-in, I tap often on the top, sing loudly into sound hole, let guitar get cold and clammy, then warm and dry it. I call my treatment "terrifying" the top.
Interesting method, thanks.
That’s funny
Many years ago (1972?) the guys at Kustom amplifiers (remember those?) got into importing Goya guitars from Sweden. As part of the setup, they hung them on racks in a sound insulated room with an array of big Kustom 200 watt amps and 4x12 cabinets blasting away 24/7. They noticed that about two weeks made a huge difference in the sound of their guitars.
On another note related to guitars that haven’t been played lately, my ‘63 D28 with Brazilian rosewood/Sitka top sounds dull if I’ve neglected it for a while. After 30 minutes or so of playing, the rosewood “opens up” remarkably and has much more ring and attack.
All understood and accepted. Such a shame that Martin killed off the Levin company.
I'm enjoying your videos. I bought a ToneRite and put it on any new guitar I get for 5 days at a time and they sound much better. After 2 or 3 rounds of this, the sound difference is night and day.
Hi Philip, I can't remember the last time i used mine. I do believe that they improve some instruments, if not all. It is impossible to scientifically prove their efficiency so it is down to personal perception.
@@SillyMoustache Beauty is in the "ear" of the beholder
You wont believe this Andy but… I used too flick my cigarette ash in my guitars years ago in the days when I smoked. I was convinced it rounded the sound and helped tame harsh treble. I would periodically vacuum out the inside of the guitar when I changed strings so there was never any danger of a pyroclastic flow rushing out and coating my picking hand.
Back in the days before we learnt tat we could cut strings, we would curl them up and stab filter tips on the ends, or between the strings and the headstock. I remember quite a few ciggy burnt headstocks.
I've only just found this channel. I like, so subbed
Welcome aboard! That;'s great.I enjoy and respond to comment and questions. thanks for watching.
What’s your average relative humidity there? Maple is a “sappy” wood, that’s why Maple Syrup is made from the sap. The Waterloo could have lost some of its resin and the guitar has opened up.
Hi, you may well be right ! Inside my house average RH is abut 50%.
Very interesting video! As a guitar builder and a lover of acoustic instruments for 50 years I’ve had a great deal of experience with this. Like lacquer that never really dries wood was a living thing and still is to a certain degree so the same principles apply when asking it for acoustic Resonance. Take your guitar to the beach for an hour let the sun warm in a bit the humidity sinking a tiny bit and it will change the tone. Caskets stay under the ground and that’s their only job and that’s all that’s asked of the wood. A musical instrument on the other hand is asked to produce beautiful tones and give back to us what we put into it. I’m also a believer that I guitar doesn’t really play well until it’s been dropped hopefully without damage it does wake it up just a little bit :-)
Hi James, thanks for your input. I'll still try to avoid dropping them though. Thanks for watching (BTW - really like your artworks! )
I've tried a few different ways to open up dead guitars, I found the best and quickest is by using a small back massager/ vibrator on top for 30 mins a day, for a week, unbelievable results, just make sure it's not too aggressive, and make sure to protect the area, ie cardboard and tape the massager/vib down, trust me, it really does work. Your welcome.
Interesting. They have an electronic massager at my local gym. I wonder if they'd mind my taking my guitars in with me? In truth, whilst we always just used to "play them in" as we started acquiring more an more instruments -maybe they haven't all got the playing in time they may have had. I still think that playing and letting them listen to talk radio is the best option. Thanks for watching.
Very interesting story. My Guitars open up in the same way yours do. They are hanging/standing in my office and i always hear them resonate with my speakers and my cats and of course me. The essence of this is: Speak and play with your Guitars and you will have a better Communication with them and you will understand what they tell you. And, what i think is very important for the Instruments: Keep them warm enough so that you feel good. Greetings from "Schwarzwald"/Germany.
Sehr interessant auch, Sie scheinen eine etwas "spirituelle" Herangehensweise an diese Dinge zu haben, aber wie sie sagen, wenn Sie sich wohl fühlen, dann sind es auch unsere Instrumente, aber sie sollten auch so gut klingen, wie es für uns angenehm ist. Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen, und da mein Deutsch sehr eingerostet ist, hoffe ich, dass Google Translate akzeptabel ist.
@@SillyMoustache Ja, für mich haben alle meine Instrumente eine "Seele". Und ja, wenn ich mich wohl fühle klingen meine Instrumente auch etwas satter, meine ich jedenfalls. Wenn ich mich schlecht fühle, spiele ich erst garnicht. Naja, jeder wie er kann und muss. Und Google Translate macht es doch ganz gut.
@@micheloderso Hallo, warum stellst du nicht ein paar Videos auf deinen UA-cam-Kanal?
Alles Gute Andy
@@SillyMoustache i will, i will."Some day over the rainbow", ach nee, der Text geht ja anders.....
I just bought a D-10E Martin guitar road series. It is not the cheapest Martin but it is close to it. I hoping you are right about how Martin sound the worst the will when they are new because this guitar sounds kinda of like my old 80 dollar guitar.
Hi, I didn't say that new Martins sound bad/poor, whatever, I said that most improve over time. In fact I believe that this applies to most well made guitars. I'm not aware of ghte D-10e, which seems to be a model supplied with built in electrnics, and so, it might be intended to be less resonant acoustically, to sound better plugged in ... now that isn't a judgement, its a possibilty, inasmuch as I have found that the more resonant of my guitars were more challenging to use bugged up, which is why I don't use internal electronics any more. Maybe your guitar just needs some playing in time.
This was a GREATLY informative video, well worth watching, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Hello Andy. Thank you for your interesting video again (like they all are) But this topic i think is extra interesting and not commen spoken abouth. As a beginner player at 53jr old playing gitar for 4 jrs now i can compair a few gitars. 2 gitars are the same in dimentions, both dreadnougths a Nashville & Richwood. The Nashwood (€ 80,-) had a multiplex top and a cartonbox sound. 😂 The Richwood artist series has a sitka solid top.. and no lacker on it. They call it a natural finish. It sounded georgeus straigth from the box. Now ive played it everyday and it seems to me the soundrange has only "opened-upp" in the years. Olso in spain (every winter) i let it sit outside in the sun to have the color on top get more amber-like color.
The thing i notiched is that in the morning it has less volume and a "dull" sound as if you have soundbarriers on wile playing it, deu to moisture. 😂
The nashville gitar had a resonating-ratlle in it from the box.. wich i fixed with some drops of thin epoxy and a clamp to gleu it and it helpt.
After some moths i poored thin epoxy in and covert the hole innerside of the gitar whit it. A strange thing happend..
After hardening a few weeks i played it and it verymuch improved the soundcolor coming out of it! The volume not so much. Altough it sounds bright now with less volume compaired to eqivalent gitars, and its olmost impervius to moisture. It olso needs litlle tuning for months.
I found out that nashville has his name chainged in Richwood or something like that?!
I tougth it would be interesting to write my experianches abouth all of this.
You play very nice, sadly i cant follow some lessons from you..
There for i enjoy your videos even more.
Greetings from holland🎸
Hallo, ik schrijf in het Nederlands dankzij google translate. Ik vrees dat ik niet bekend ben met de gitaarmerken die je noemt. Vocht of vochtigheid is de vijand van akoestische gitaren, die het best bewaard kunnen worden bij een relatieve luchtvochtigheid van 40-50%. relatieve vochtigheid. Ik hoop dat dit helpt.
I remember doing what you said about leaning your guitars against a speaker back in the 70's. I think opening up the molecules in the wood with sound frequencies is a good idea. I think in some cases it might do the opposite also depending on the vibes being put into the wood.
I was watching a luthier just the other day on UA-cam mention tuning the top before making the guitar. He said tapping the top during the planing process using a tuner till it has an even ring, but that it should not be tuned to any of the string keys. This produces an even tone and volume for all strings.It all starts when the guitar is created, and the tone will get better with age. But playing the instrument is the best way to break in any acoustic instrument.
Hi Hares, I still put guitars in front of speakers. I really think it works.
Hi Jim, actually this is an even better analysis I didnt realise there was so much going on in the backyard... I think its 100% real what happened in Vegas. I finished reading 'Walking among us' a few months back and its really a mind blowing analysis. I usually read in bed before sleep and I got these thoughts oh feck what if they pick me up...🙄 Im now reading secret life and its just as good. What was amazing in the book which you mentioned is, that they abduct us to teach the Hubrids how to socialise how to live like humans. I remember the questions the hybrids or hubrids were so basic... Like everything was 'Why' why do you need a spoon, stupid questions like that. Also what I noted was that the abductee's didn't want to be teaching these hybrids/hubrids either. Also these Hubrids would show up at Abductee's doors, visit ask questions and leave again. Abductee's felt they were being used and not of great importance. If Abductee's asked questions about whats going on they would get dismissive answers. As I read this book I actually sort of 'Pretended' in my mind, ahh bollocks its not real anyway, honestly its so out there, but you know this man has a PhD, he regressed over 1000 abductee's and these were the stories he was getting so who am I or anybody else to say its not true. Its just so difficult to wrap your head around... I also remember that Turkish video many years ago, I think its probably the best footage ever taken of these craft and beings. The guy I think he used a 600 x times telephoto lens on his camera.. Keep up the good work. I would fight for Planet Earth... 🙂
Ned1621 - please advise how this relates to my video about acoustic guitars?
I think guitar tone does change over time, but so does our focus on a particular instrument’s tonal characteristics apart from any actual change. For instance, I have a 70-year-old arch top who must be said to have certainly “opened up” by now. I’ve heard its tone vastly differently over the years, particularly after intervals of time away from it. Not to cloud or contradict the issue, just to complicate, lol.
Yes, I am sure that our perception of tone can change as you say. Thanks for watching.
Just found your channel. You sir, are an immensely fascinating person. Very knowledgable and eloquent. You are very talented in conveying your point of view in a soothing almost serene manner. +1 Subscribed!
Hi Cato, thank you for the kind words. Please have a look around my humble channel and, I welcome comments ad questions and always try to respond.
@@SillyMoustache Will do. Check out my one song on my channel. :) Recorded analog with a Furch guitar - you know the brand? Think they have been marketed as "stonebridge" in the US.
Like returning home from a long trip to find a more attentive spouse, or how a dog will be excited to have you return from a long day away, your Waterloo missed you and wanted you to know how much it cares that you are doing better and playing guitar again.
ha-ha! Nicely put Patrick, Thank you!
Fascinating video - thank you for sharing your wisdom here! I have a gaggle of acoustic guitars and most spend a lot of time in their cases due to my paranoia about humidity changes etc. Just lately I've been thinking about this 'going to sleep' phenomenon and I've been getting them out more and trying not to neglect them... but my most played guitar is a non-expensive parlour, hanging on the wall in the lounge above the stereo. If I sneeze loudly, the guitar replies! 😂 Pretty sure it has opened up over the years. Meanwhile my lovely Martin D28 has spent most of its life in its case. I need to remedy this - maybe leave it out near some speakers and see what happens! Thanks again for your great videos and do stay well. Cheers, Heather.
Hi, of course, nothing opens up a guitar like actually playing it, but for those not much played, like my Dreads at present, all is not lost as a good work out will open them up when the time comes. If you can keep your guitars with a 40% to 60% RH they will change tonally a little but shouldn't be damaged.
I've been saying this for a long time. It's part of the way famous guitarists often have instruments that just do
something extra magical; they've been played for years over and over in huge venues or arenas, surrounded by
the vibrations of themselves. Aligning the crystals/molecules within them.
I look at it in a similar way to this process or idea -- Chladni Plate: ua-cam.com/video/tFAcYruShow/v-deo.html
... albeit at a vastly smaller incremental rate over periods of months or years.
Then think about this in terms of Stradivarius or Guarneri violins/etc.
Hi Chris, there are many theories, and many experiences, about "special" instruments, tonewoods, top thicknessing, bracing, age of woods, and set up etc. Large brands that make hundreds or even thousands of identical guitars, cannot thickness each top individual, and so have them all thicknessed to the same dimensions by a special machine. Some will be too dense, some will be too thin and some will be "just right". A sole luthier or a talented "top-thicknesser" like Bruce Van Wart for Collings, could make every top ideal work to its best. Then there are all the other things that are stuck to that top, and how it is set up and who plays it. A myriad of variables, I guess. Thanks for watching.
Yeah, this drives me crazy. I've bought a few Eastmans of late and generally been disappointed with the tone out of the box. Some days they sound better than others and only one has continued to sound like I'd hoped. I end up selling probably before I've given them a fair shake but I haven't wanted to stay with something I don't like. It drives me nuts sometimes.
Hi, I have my two Eastman flat tops and have been pleasantly surprised at the tone right out of the box. Of course we don't know how long they ave been "mellowing", and as I know only too well, my hearing changes from day to day. They are fine by me.
Two months ago I bought a used 2016 Eastman E40-OM that has phenomenal tone. In spite of its age, it looked new and had no fret wear. From what I have read, Eastmans have Adirondack tops. I've noticed that both my Eastman and my Martin J-40 will take five minutes or so of playing before they totally wake up and present their overtones. I have no idea why that is, or maybe it just takes that long for my hearing to get in sync with the guitar?...
Very interesting. Thanks
Glad you think so!
Real wisdom here.
Thank you.
Have you ever heard the song Goodtime Charlie's got the blues by Danny O'Keefe. A 70s song it has been covered by a few other artists..
Hi Ernie, I must have heard it over the years, but have been checking out the may versions on Y/T! couldn't understand the lyrics by Mr O'Keefe's live version, but have now learnt them and willtry to make my own version 'ere long! Thankyou!
@@SillyMoustache I look forward to hearing it from you. The song has been covered by several other artists throughout the years. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and talent with us. God bless from your Tennessee peeps.
I was about to sell my 2018 es-330. Hated the tone so I changed the pickups and now I realize that I never broke it in... live and learn
Hi Glad you are happy - and thanks for watching my videos - As I'm not an electric player, I'm afraid I can't offer any comments on your ES330. Regards,
@@SillyMoustache ya from what I read hollow body electric guitars are similar to acoustic guitars 🎸
@@brycejamesfilm5 No, not really, they are made to resist resonation in order to reduce feedback. They have pups screwed to the top preventing it from resonating, and insufficient air space for acoustically amplify the sound.
@@SillyMoustache hmm imteresting
@@SillyMoustache similar in sense that the tones will change with time and use. Glue/joints/wood loosens up etc
Hi Andy,
Thank you so much for all these wonderful introspective videos. I really appreciate your channel, thoughts, playing, and lovely collection of guitars.
I couldn't find any videos talking about your humification approach for your instruments so I'm curious to know what your practice is in regards to it?
Kind Regards
- Chris
Hi Chris, tanks for the kind words. I live in the south of England near the coast, and in a "fairly" well insulated 40 year old house. (that's "new" here!) Our weather is pretty temperate, few extremes. I have pretty good hygrometers where I keep my guitars. and RH rarely gets below 35% or above 55%. and temps inside the house rarely lower than 65f, or higher than 80f. In case of low humidity I use Music Nomad in case humidifiers. I've never seen RH higher than 60% but if we have prolonged wet weather, they all go into cases. hope that helps.
@@SillyMoustache That helps a lot. Thank you Andy!
what you are saying is a powerful argument to NOT get a lot of acoustic guitars. I guess having one, or maybe two, exceptional guitars where both get played everyday is better than having a bunch of guitars where only one or two get played regularly, while the others sadly "go to sleep" as you put it. In any case, great argument to keep playing guitars! :)
Don't read too much into that aspect. I'd be a hypocrite to say don't have too many guitars!
Great video Andy. Just wondering, any idea what happens to the cell structure of the wood as a guitar is opening up? Is it just a case of the wood drying out or is there more going on, such as the wood "learning" to vibrate in a certain way?
Hi Homer, good to hear from you! The honest answer is that I don't know. However, I do have a theory (which is my own.. cough) (Monty Python reference!) I think/suppose, that it is the glue hardening, and increasing the union of the various woods allowing all to resonate as a single entity. (FWIW). Drying out, being played/resonated, its all in the mix somehow. (I guess).
Great question. I recently purchased a Gibson mandolin that is 16 years old. The previous owner had it in a closet for 4-5 years and said it would open up after a couple weeks of play and they were correct. It continued to sound better and better for the first month, maybe longer but I could not distinguish more than 2-4 weeks. Since the back and somewhat the sides are percussive and the top simply as a means to contain the sound, being wood it needs to move and the more it moved, the smoother and louder it gets. This is why new instruments sound flatter and tinny, versus mellow and louder. I think the wood fibers and the joint simply need to "relax" to allow it to do what it was meant to do.
IT'S DEFINITELY LEARNING. I'VE BEEN TEACHING MINE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS NOW.
It is an interesting topic. Did you know there are tools for automating this process? And by this I don't mean ageing but the product ToneRite. It basically vibrates your strings and after some time the guitar opens. But I never tried it and the reviews are quite controversial. Greetings from Zurich
Hi, yes, I have a Tonerite, but haven't used it for ages. I prefer the slower, more natural way.
I had to jump at the chance to buy a new Rosewood Classic at half price eight years ago ,long before I was able to do it justice. Still trying.
Let me know if you'd like me to help you via one-to-one lessons/mentoring via Zoom.
Good old Silly Moustache - I can't hear if you say is or isn't the warmest tonewood about the maple b&s.
Best Thoughts
Hi Ziraffe My apologies for my poor diction - god, didn't I ramble! In my humble opinion Rosewood is warmer (a little more bass?) than mahogany, which is more balanced, whereas Maple is neutral - resonating well, but having little "colouration" to the tone. It is most often used in violin family instruments and archtops, and mandolins, and has been for a very long time. Hope that help, Andy
Thanx SMou ^ Warmest tonewood ? 3:58 is still unclear, but apart from that your observations are followed. Like your films. Acually saw this before some years ago and the 'opening up phenomenon' remains an intriguing riddle. So does the ear/woods dillemma. Just remember that guitars DO change - and that you can check your psycho-sonic-perception simply by taking another guit or 2 and sense what they tell compared to the doubt-maker.
Best Thoughts from Copenhagen
@@Ziraffe2 Yes, it is about perception. Fond memories of Copenhagen back in the '70s..
Hope you heard yourself some decent folk-music back then. It would have been possible.
And the city-vibe wasn't all bad in that decade.
Hi
Interesting. Just got myself a ”nice” solid wood guitar. What can you say about humidity and using humidifiers. Winter is coming and I can expect indoor humidity levels below 20% here in Sweden. Any experience you can share?
Hallå där, 20%RH is dangerous to guitars. I use "Music Nomad" soundhole humidifiers (and use distilled water) and keep them in the guitars in cases. In the "olden days" people used to put a half an apple in the accessory box, try both. (remembering to check both the humidifier and rotten fruit regularly. Jag hoppas att detta hjälper och ger min kärlek till Sverige! ol' Andy
@@SillyMoustache Tack så mycket! Då ska jag se vilken lösning jag väljer - spontant låter Music Nomad säkrare än äpplet :). Sverige ger sin kärlek tillbaka! /magnus
Really interesting subject. I have watched the vid thru twice and have read many of the comments, You have really hit on something. I wonder if you have any recordings of the brand new guitars versus many weeks or months after they have 'opened up' ? Do you have any before and after sleeping / awake examples. Many of those commenting on your findings say they bought guitars, Gibson, Martin , Eastman and say they have been disappointed when buying them ????Only later they opened up ??? What ? Why did all these people buy guitars that were dead when new, sounded like cardboard etc, Why Why Why ?? Incredible statements . Were they just buying a name ? if the sound was dead why buy them ?? I really cannot fathom out some of the comments. On your subject I do believe you have a point on the 'opening' up after continuous playing, maybe to do with grain alignment v vibration and resonance but I really can't get my head around how manufacturers sell NEW guitars that are 'dead' or sound like cardboard when brand new ???? Do they all sound like crap in the store ? Would it not be simple to PLAY THEM IN , at the factory, or give them the TR treatment to the tops before fitting them or some bit of wizzardry ? Thanks for a great channel. PS Ayers AS guitar, best I've ever had or will have. Sits on a stand in my practice room, has done for 10 years, never in a case unless in transit.
Hi Les, thank you for your comments. Firstly, I don't believe that new guitars sound like crap (whatever crap sounds like) but they are often "tight" and feel a bit choked. I believe that Yamaha has some way of "TR"ing their better products, but I'm not convinced by my TR. and I'm not convinced that the high volume producers Martin, Gibson etc., could justify the extra cost of "conditioning" guitars before shipping.
My last two purchases were Eastmans, bought sight unseen and both surprised me with their openness. My Santa Cruz had been in stock for over two years before it got to me and took me a year or so to "open up, and same thing with my Waterloo. It's just the way it is. btw, I know two people with Ayers guitars and they are both great tonally. Thanks for watching my vids.
I had a 1978 D 28 that was very stiff when ever I started playing it. Took 20 minutes or so before it loosened up. Can you still buy Tonerite?
Yes, I believe so, AND if you are in the UK there's a newer one on Ebay right now! Auction finishes on the 20th!
Just a great "natural presence", as if you're destined for this, "right!, you're bloody-well right" (1974 Crime of the Century) SUPERTRAMP
Thank you.
The guitars sound so greatt
Hi Thanks for watching.
Nice vid! Here are my facts - I have a 3 year old Martin HD28 that lives out of its case, in my office and is played about an hour per day. Have used a ToneRite on it once for about a week. Have always loved the sound of the guitar, still do. Can’t really tell if it has improved with age. My questions for you - how often do you “reapply” the ToneRite to your guitars? How long do these follow up sessions go for? Thanks for posting this video. Keep up the good work!
Hi Red Dog, truth is -I haven't used it for about 4 years. I've bought two new guitars since - small body Eastmans and not felt the need to improve on their tonality or depth apart from playing them. I used it last (that I noted) in 2018 on my Santa Cruz. It IS an option - it was quite expensive and I'm sure it will work on some guitars ad not on others. I've heard of peropl feling that their guitar "go to sleep" I've not experienced this. Regards, Andy
Thanks for the reply,@@SillyMoustache (Andy), I have a ToneRite that’s been sitting in a closet for at least a couple of years. I guess I’ll put it to better use and see what happens. Maybe I’ll make a habit of hooking it up to my HD when I travel. Watched two more of your vids and subscribed. I look forward to further enjoyment of your channel. Best, Bennett.
@@reddogdude Hi Bennet, that;'s great. Please have a look at some of my older stuff too comments and questions always welcomed.
It sounds good ...I actually bought a Tanglewood roadster the orchestra model...it's mahogany and hand crafted and designed in the UK ...but what a guitar...this guitar is a good price and comes in different models,but the sound is brilliant I had to break it in
It's a mahogany guitar it's non varnished but has a special wax...and is designed for time you should check the Tanglewood roadster it has 3 models and the price range is always under 200..but I was very pleased with the orchestra model
Hi David, I'm aware of the Tanglewood name but not these guitars. I'm glad you have found a guitar that suits you. Play it in good health, Thanks for watching.
@@SillyMoustache I actually get what you mean by breaking in the guitar....you mentioned that the old guitar in the case became a dead piece of wood over time....a method that helps believe it or not is ..a carrot.. ,😂you place a carrot in the sound hole and the carrot helps the guitar...I'm sure there's videos on it ...but the carrot goes thin .. it's a trick that came to mind right away...men used to place carrots in the guitars.... acoustic guitar is a whole different world you must treat it with love,yes I went for wood quality the Tanglewood is a UK handcrafted brand it's not varnished but waxed and a beutifull balanced tone...I write songs with this ,as the sound is such that two chords is sufficient,
Gonna put a blue tooth speaker in my Larrivee OM and see how it does.
I can't imagine why. Take care.
master class.
Thank you Charles, happy you found it interesting!
This guy rocks.
Thankyou