Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

[Driver Blues]

I was thinking about an experiment I could make to figure it out for myself. This thread is not about which side is wrong or right but rather if my idea is legit or not.

The idea behind wood effecting tone has always been the same: different woods passively absorb different frequencies from the strings at different rates. Currently the method for testing has mostly been the same, ie change the wood, see if it changes the tone. This is a very ineffective method because it involves taking apart the guitar, which takes time, and often times not putting it back quite the same as it was when it was taken apart. The pickups might be at different heights or the strings might have been replaced.

My idea is different. Instead of seeing if different woods passively kill different frequencies at different rates, I want to see if actively adding energy back in would affect the tone. I would buy a double-necked guitar and record a frequency analysis on the 6-string side of holding a G chord, and then I would do it again, but after hitting all the open strings on the 12-string side at the 12th fret as hard as I could, and seeing if there is a clear difference in the recorded frequencies at or around that time.

Would this work? I want to know if there are any flaws in this idea before I drop a grand on an ES-1275.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

I'd be buying the guitar because you wanted one......Just saying.

There is little point with most tonewood type experiments. Mechanical physics already says that structure affects energy within a system, so it's already something proved on paper beyond all doubt.

How it works with individual guitars and what you can hear through an amp is variable.....and really not worth the effort to test as the specific conclusions are valid for that instrument alone.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

First: There are potential issues with your proposed plan

Second: Everything AlexR said

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

All wooden guitars are inferior.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

All wooden guitars are inferior.

I’ve played a few composite guitars - the plastic Yamahas sounded plastic, but my old ‘luthite’ body bass (with maple neck) sounded fine. Yet to play a metal body/neck but seems like it is a bad solution in an outdoor scenario.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

My aluminium guitars have made me want to sell all of my wooden ones. I'm trying to talk myself out of it but it's not really working.

 

[Driver Blues]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

First: There are potential issues with your proposed plan

Given that that's the purpose of this thread, I'd be happy if you could take the time to finish your thought and explain why.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

My aluminium guitars have made me want to sell all of my wooden ones. I'm trying to talk myself out of it but it's not really working.

Sounds very metal.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

A tuning fork
And the A string open

Much less expensive

Strike the A string
Then while it rings
Strike the tuning fork and hold to the body in different places

I would be curious of the results

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

If you have a beater guitar that you wouldn't mind risking a few scuffs on, you could also clamp a large piece of wood or metal (maybe with some cloth separating the clamps from the wood) to the back and see how that effects the tone.

 

[RorySquier]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

;>)/

 

[voggin]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

I think experiments like this are a good way for someone to find out for themselves the answer or a possible answer to this question. The trouble is, it won't convince anyone on either side: The confirmation bias on both sides of this issue (among the people who actually argue about it) is so strong that you'll just find yourself in an endless loop argument of people who agree with your conclusion and those that will nit-pick your methodology to death.

However, at least you will have an objective basis for your own opinion, and it will be fun to do. I've got no skin in the tonewood debate, so I'd love to hear your conclusions.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Not To Start Another Tonewood Thread But, (TLDR written in bold)

Seems to me the OP is looking for justification for dropping a grand on a 12-string electric, hence the proposed tonewood experiment.