Hardtail guitars and resonance?

[Top-L]

I have noticed that all my Floyd guitars, if you listen to them acoustically while playing, are much more resonant from behind. The trem springs and cavity almost work as a soundhole.

It seems that the sound is not coming from the strings, but from vibrations sent from strings into the guitar.

If you listen to a hardtail guitar from behind, is it less or more resonant?

 

[Hsb]

Id think the same could be said about top routed guitars like a strat or any guitars that have a swimming pool route.

 

[Top-L]

Id think the same could be said about top routed guitars like a strat or any guitars that have a swimming pool route.

Right. Which is what I'm getting at. Guitars with a front rout may sound more resonant but this may have nothing to do with the plugged tone.

I don't have the answers.

Do the Floyd guitars sound so resonant from behind because the string energy isn't transferred into the body? Do hardtail guitars have the most resonance or do they sound less because there is no large rout? Does it matter?

 

[Erlend_G]

I think strats with their tremolo and all;

gives the guitar a special sound, that les pauls and other TOM guitars, don't have :/.

-Erl

 

[Artie]

I think strats with their tremolo and all;

gives the guitar a special sound, that les pauls and other TOM guitars, don't have :/.

-Erl

That's what my luthier friend taught me. I don't use tremolo's, but my friend showed me that blocking the tremolo actually caused the guitar to be more resonant. It's because of the springs. It's almost like a reverb built into the body.

 

[ErikH]

That's what my luthier friend taught me. I don't use tremolo's, but my friend showed me that blocking the tremolo actually caused the guitar to be more resonant. It's because of the springs. It's almost like a reverb built into the body.

Agreed. Both my Strats are like that. I almost went hardtail on my last build but decided to stick with the formula that worked last time and bingo, it's got that sound and feel to it. Same tremolo too (though one is 25+ years older than the other).

 

[Mincer]

I've noticed some guitars are more resonant than others, but never put it down to the tremolo. Some with a trem are more resonant, some aren't.

 

[Clint 55]

I think it changes the sound unplugged and plugged, yes. Which is why I prefer hardtail strats cuz they sound less jangly to me and more solid.

 

[beaubrummels]

I wouldn't call it resonant. Just additional sound from the sympathetic spring vibration. Hardtails can be resonant, but it varies by the wood and whether they are chambered, or semi-hollow or just a lighter or denser wood.

 

[Artie]

I wouldn't call it resonant. Just additional sound from the sympathetic spring vibration.

I believe you're right. It just adds a little extra something.