Hearing and appreciating your own guitar's sound, after some years ...

[Wilmywood]

I was reminded of this by plaidseason's thread 'DCE Sound Port' link where he talked about hearing his guitar so much better with the electronics removed creating a sound port.
A couple of years ago, I was at a group party I do annually with some friends, one of whom is a very good bass player who can also do justice to a good guitar. Although I had, at that point, had my 1972 G37 for 50 years, and had always known it was a great sounding acoustic, I had never heard it played by someone else so that I could hear what it sounded like out front, since I was always behind it while playing it. This night, after we jammed a bit, Terry grabbed the G37 and proceeded to play it for about an hour, and I was absolutely blown away at how great that guitar really sounds. I was stunned, as I had never heard it that way before.
I was wondering if any of the rest of you have had that happen and also want to recommend to anyone who has not experienced that to do so, it was really eye opening for me and gave me a whole new level of appreciation for the G37. They sound so much better out front than from behind.

 

[walrus]

Totally agree! I was at an open mic several years ago with my '84 D64, and a guy who was a very good player and singer asked to borrow it as he did not have his guitar. So he gets up and plays "Wildfire" beautifully, and I'm blown away at the sound of the D64. Now keeping in mind the relative skills of the particular player (I was/am nowhere near his skill level), it was definitely an ear-opener.

Made me think the open mic crowd was tolerating me because of the sound of the guitar as opposed to my own talents!

walrus

 

[Wilmywood]

Interesting.

No one else has had the pleasure of hearing their own guitar from in front?

 

[RBSinTo]

I love the sound of my 49 year-old Martin D-28 ( by quite a bit the oldest of my four acoustics).
But being the tin-eared, musical hacker that I am, the guitar (and the others as well)) never really gets put through its paces, so when I sometimes take it to my music class, we switch guitars, and that's when I really get to hear what the Martin is capable of.
And while I'd love to pretend that the improvement is because I'm hearing its sound from a different position, sadly I know that is not the case.
RBSinTo

 

[davismanLV]

When I bought my first guitar, the Guild D65S, I narrowed it down to 3 and had the guy at GC play them all for me in random order while I sat in front of the guitar facing away. No matter how he mixed them up, I picked the Guild every time, so that's what I bought.

 

[MartyG]

I would love to hear my '73 all-hog D25 in the hands of anyone but me. If you are in the Baltimore/DC area and want to give it a workout, or know someone who would, let me know.

Marty

 

[Wilmywood]

When I bought my first guitar, the Guild D65S, I narrowed it down to 3 and had the guy at GC play them all for me in random order while I saw in front of the guitar facing away. No matter how he mixed them up, I picked the Guild every time, so that's what I bought.

My first guitar story is similar but it was me doing the playing. I played a Martin, a Gibson and my G37. The G37 won on sound and on feel.

 

[davismanLV]

My first guitar story is similar but it was me doing the playing. I played a Martin, a Gibson and my G37. The G37 won on sound and on feel.

I got down to a Martin, a Taylor, and the Guild. They didn't stand a chance next to that big, maple, arched back Guild sound!!

 

[West R Lee]

It's not only hearing my guitars from out front, though they always seem to sound better in someone else's hands, but it's just a different sound that others give our guitars sometimes. Just the manner is which different people play can make a guitar sound substantially different. But I would agree, our guitars sound totally different from out in front as opposed to from up above and in our lap.

West

 

[RBSinTo]

I got down to a Martin, a Taylor, and the Guild. They didn't stand a chance next to that big, maple, arched back Guild sound!!

I expect no less from Guildsters.
But I am a Martin guy who happens to also own a Guild and a Gibson, so I disagree. My D-28 blows the other two right out of the water.
RBSinTo

 

[Midnight Toker]

If you really want to hear your acoustic, play in the bathroom! (Not kidding!)

 

[Wilmywood]

I expect no less from Guildsters.
But I am a Martin guy who happens to also own a Guild and a Gibson, so I disagree. My D-28 blows the other two right out of the water.
RBSinTo

My friend and fellow LTGer SJS has a 1949 Martin D-45 - he says his 1978 Guild G37 blows it in the weeds. I played the Martin myself last August when I was visiting and I wouldn't trade my '72 G37 for it either. Relative values be damned, I'll take the Guilds every time

 

[GAD]

Moved to Acoustics

 

[adorshki]

I was reminded of this by plaidseason's thread 'DCE Sound Port' link where he talked about hearing his guitar so much better with the electronics removed creating a sound port.
A couple of years ago, I was at a group party I do annually with some friends, one of whom is a very good bass player who can also do justice to a good guitar. Although I had, at that point, had my 1972 G37 for 50 years, and had always known it was a great sounding acoustic, I had never heard it played by someone else so that I could hear what it sounded like out front, since I was always behind it while playing it. This night, after we jammed a bit, Terry grabbed the G37 and proceeded to play it for about an hour, and I was absolutely blown away at how great that guitar really sounds. I was stunned, as I had never heard it that way before.
I was wondering if any of the rest of you have had that happen and also want to recommend to anyone who has not experienced that to do so, it was really eye opening for me and gave me a whole new level of appreciation for the G37. They sound so much better out front than from behind.

"Yes".

 

[crank]

LOL: Lots of love for G37s lately. I bought mine brand new on a bit of a whim in 1981. No one can make it sound as good as I can

 

[Maguchi]

I was reminded of this by plaidseason's thread 'DCE Sound Port' link where he talked about hearing his guitar so much better with the electronics removed creating a sound port.
A couple of years ago, I was at a group party I do annually with some friends, one of whom is a very good bass player who can also do justice to a good guitar. Although I had, at that point, had my 1972 G37 for 50 years, and had always known it was a great sounding acoustic, I had never heard it played by someone else so that I could hear what it sounded like out front, since I was always behind it while playing it. This night, after we jammed a bit, Terry grabbed the G37 and proceeded to play it for about an hour, and I was absolutely blown away at how great that guitar really sounds. I was stunned, as I had never heard it that way before.
I was wondering if any of the rest of you have had that happen and also want to recommend to anyone who has not experienced that to do so, it was really eye opening for me and gave me a whole new level of appreciatio playing better when I hear it recorded. n for the G37. They sound so much better out front than from behind.

Yes, especially with acoustic guitar, but to some extent with electric guitar as well. Playing a acoustic guitar you're not at the right spot to hear the best sounds coming from the guitar. I always like the sound of my acoustic guitar playing better when I hear it recorded. A few times I been pleasantly surprised hearing back a recording because it sounded better than I thought it would. A few times I been disappointed too because I sounded worse than I thought it would. Amplifying acoustic? Dicey unless you mic it. I never liked the sound of piezo pickups. If I want quack, I'll pick up a Strat.

With electric guitars probably where you stand is not optimum compared to out in the audience. Also when you're playing, you're concentrating on other things and just hearing enough of your playing to inform your hands what to do. So the attention to playing keeps you from fully listening to and appreciating what you hear.

So I've learned to listen to band mates that I trust regarding what they hear in my guitar playing and to record myself if I'm unsure.

PS: With acoustic try "corner loading" a la Robert Johnson. That is sit close to and facing the corner of a room so that you get the sound reflecting back at you.

 

[chazmo]

I've never been stunned, but I have occasionally been a bit surprised (in either direction) both after changing strings and after taking a guitar out of its case that's been sitting for a while (unplayed by me). I also like to hear my guitars played for me, but that happens very rarely, and that's definitely a different experience than playing them myself.

I'm also reminded that a lot of satisfaction in life hinges on whether you enjoy what you already have vs. what you don't have. Getting a little philosophical here, but I'm firmly convinced that our own perception of our possession is colored by this phenomenon.

 

[Shakeylee]

i had this happen once ,AFTER i sold the guitar. oops

 

[Tapper]

Whenever I go on vacation my 79 G37 goes with me. Best $500.00 I ever spent, sings like an angle roars like a lion when neccessary. Best neck of the three Guilds I own.

Keep Playing,
Tim

 

[Br1ck]

Totally agree! I was at an open mic several years ago with my '84 D64, and a guy who was a very good player and singer asked to borrow it as he did not have his guitar. So he gets up and plays "Wildfire" beautifully, and I'm blown away at the sound of the D64. Now keeping in mind the relative skills of the particular player (I was/am nowhere near his skill level), it was definitely an ear-opener.

Made me think the open mic crowd was tolerating me because of the sound of the guitar as opposed to my own talents!

walrus

The beauty of an open mic is that everyone is tolerated regardless of ability. It is usually a place you can go and not be the suckiest player in the room. I do remember one memorable night when a folk festival was in town and those touring pros showed up. I was stuck between two of them. I got up, announced how screwed I knew I was, and sang three originals, all written that week. It was my second or third solo performance. I'd always played in a band. I finished and slunk to the back of the room. Later, when she was leaving, one of the performers said she liked my songs. How kind was that.

As far as guitars, after eight years, I liked my 70 D 35 better than when I got it back from my luthier. Of course it sounds even better when someone better plays it. You should always have someone good play your guitar before buying another one. It will tell you a hard truth, it's never the guitar.