Question regarding the sound of a d55

[Deep Blue]

Good morning. My new D55 is now all set up. Few tweaks, and new D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze 12/53s. Sounds very nice but I have a question.

The guitar is from 2018, and it has been sat in its case waiting for me for about 4/5 years.

It seems, at least to my ears, pretty quiet especially the lower strings.

I am wondering if you guys might have an opinion as to why, I reckon it might be

1) Just needs to breathe a little and open up. I really hope this is the main reason, I know it’s five years old but if it’s been satin it’s case would that stop it opening so to speak
2) wrong choice of strings
3) The guitars are just not that loud

Thanking you in advance

Mark.

 

[Wellington]

Interesting, I haven't played one, review videos make it seem like a very big sounding guitar, however my D-40 Traditional is an awesome sounding guitar but I wouldn't call it loud. I have a Yamaha LL16 that is much louder. My Guild loses a fair bit of volume and 'bigness' when capoed up the fretboard, whereas the LL16 does not. In my case this works ideally for me and the songs I play with my Guild, especially singing as I have aquiet soft voice. I believe the modern 55's are braced the same as my Traditional?

 

[Stagefright]

What kind of pick are you using? Thin picks = thing sound.

 

[Uke]

Good morning. My new D55 is now all set up. Few tweaks, and new D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze 12/53s. Sounds very nice but I have a question.

The guitar is from 2018, and it has been sat in its case waiting for me for about 4/5 years.

It seems, at least to my ears, pretty quiet especially the lower strings.

I am wondering if you guys might have an opinion as to why, I reckon it might be

1) Just needs to breathe a little and open up. I really hope this is the main reason, I know it’s five years old but if it’s been satin it’s case would that stop it opening so to speak
2) wrong choice of strings
3) The guitars are just not that loud

Thanking you in advance

Mark.

I have a D-55, and it has a big sound. Not to open this can of worms, but those coated strings your using might have something to do with it (maybe ?). There's nothing quiet about my D-55 (It's a 2000 Westerly).

 

[GGJaguar]

Play it a lot to wake it up from its 5 year slumber. And maybe try uncoated phosphor bronze strings to take that variable out.

 

[Deep Blue]

Yes I think a mixture of uncharted strings and a lot of playing. I don’t use a pick, just fingers.

Once again thank you for the help.

Is it ok to hang it on the wall. The humidity is nearly always between 40 and 60.

 

[fronobulax]

Is it ok to hang it on the wall. The humidity is nearly always between 40 and 60.

Keeping guitars at home

Howdy y’all - it’s been a hot minute and I’ve been a hot mess - I hope you are all well! I now have (less than some but more than I probably should) 6 guitars - I keep them out of cases in a rack or stand in a humidity controlled room that I keep attention on to ensure it’s ~45 humidity If...

letstalkguild.com

You decide what you are worried about and then you will know whether it is OK, or not

 

[schoolie]

Does it have an under-saddle pickup? That can reduce volume... Next string change you might have a peek and make sure there is a good connection between the saddle and bridge. There can be surprises lurking there on a used guitar.

 

[GAD]

What kind of pick are you using? Thin picks = thing sound.

I disagree with this. I think a thin pick = a brighter sound, but a thick pick sounds dead and muffled to me.

I play with a .5mm pick because I like the bright attack. None of my guitars sound thin.

 

[Rayk]

The westerly one I had was a mellow guitar but peeked up when pushed . Lush is the best way I can say it . Nature of the beast .

I liked it a lot but I’m not sure how well it would sit in an open jam with other guitars unless plugged up ?

I think the D40’s would be better suited for that but others would have to confirm .

 

[Stagefright]

but a thick pick sounds dead and muffled to me

I suppose it all depends on style and set up. My latest sweet spot is higher than normal action and a 1 mm nylon pick. I did try 1.4 and yes it was muddy. Loud but muddy.

I used thin picks for a long time, but I think I did that to keep from disturbing the wife.

As for fingerpicking on a Dread, that never works well for me and it's probably why I don't own an HD-28 today. The music store discouraged pick use and I couldn't get the sound I needed to hear. I should have pushed the issue ($2400). Finger picking with my GF-50 is another story.

 

[KCGuildPicker]

Not a scientist here. but i believe sleeping guitars are real! This is one of the reasons i try and keep my herd to 4-5 guitars. My DV52 does not sleep, but my Larrivee is guilty of sleeping if left alone for a week. So as others have said - play that ngd!

What about Nickel bronze or the Martin retros? i l know they are not everyones cup of tea, but they seem to project quite a bit on dreads. With all that said, the last D55 i played while maybe not quiet was more reserved than i expected.

 

[davenumber2]

I suppose it all depends on style and set up. My latest sweet spot is higher than normal action and a 1 mm nylon pick. I did try 1.4 and yes it was muddy. Loud but muddy.

I used thin picks for a long time, but I think I did that to keep from disturbing the wife.

As for fingerpicking on a Dread, that never works well for me and it's probably why I don't own an HD-28 today. The music store discouraged pick use and I couldn't get the sound I needed to hear. I should have pushed the issue ($2400). Finger picking with my GF-50 is another story.

If a shop wouldn’t let me use a pick on a dread I was serious about buying I think I’d find another shop. There’s protecting the condition of your inventory and then there’s ridiculous.

 

[SFIV1967]

To me a D-50 for instance is much "louder" than a D-55. At least that was my experience with New Hartford made guitars and I can only imagine that Oxnard is no different. A D-55 is very refined so to say.
I also would try different strings (uncoated PB 12-53, 12-54) just to compare. D’Addario EJ16 for instance or John Pearse 200L 80/20 strings. It's fun trying different strings and doesn't break the bank.

Ralf

 

[2manygits]

Have you considered using a ToneRite? I have used one on guitars I had ignored for extended periods as well as new guitars, and I believe the ToneRite accelerated the opening up process. I’ve also heard that leaving the guitar next to loud speakers with music playing can help, but I haven’t tried that. I also like to put the guitar in an open tuning and play it hard and long with a pick to try to wake it up.
My D-55s have been louder than similar dreadnoughts from other makers with most light gauge (12s) string brands, but for the D-55s, I have liked the way DR Rare Phosphor Bronze strings sound.
Good luck.

 

[Stagefright]

I noticed a significant difference in tone/volume on my JF-55 when laying my forearm on the top. It makes sense, it's just that I never noticed a difference before. It could be that the Jumbo takes more effort to keep on your lap than other guitar configurations.

I cross pick and tend to plant my wrist in/around the pick guard. The forearm has to go somewhere.

 

[GGJaguar]

I noticed a significant difference in tone/volume on my JF-55 when laying my forearm on the top.

Same for me with the F-40 Traditional. I have to remember to keep my arm off the top while playing for maximum tone and volume.

 

[chazmo]

I noticed a significant difference in tone/volume on my JF-55 when laying my forearm on the top. It makes sense, it's just that I never noticed a difference before. It could be that the Jumbo takes more effort to keep on your lap than other guitar configurations.

I cross pick and tend to plant my wrist in/around the pick guard. The forearm has to go somewhere.

Same for me with the F-40 Traditional. I have to remember to keep my arm off the top while playing for maximum tone and volume.

Wow, really interesting, guys. I've never noticed that before, but then again I don't think I rest my forearm on the soundboard. Hmm... I'm going to have to pay attention to this next time.

 

[Stagefright]

If a shop wouldn’t let me use a pick on a dread I was serious about buying I think I’d find another shop.

There's a good chance that I wasn't serious enough to insist on a pick. The fingerpick experience on the HD-28 left me flat and there was no recovery from that. On the other hand, I played an 00-28 that I absolutely fell in love with. Too bad the $3500 made her well beyond my reach.