rolf - Posted - 09/07/2010:  22:45:29

Hi all,

I have a question to those who have more experience with different instruments. Three weeks ago I bought my first squareneck (a "far-east" Hound Dog) and Iīm not sure wheter I should be satisfied with its tone. In the beginning the tone was a little bit "thin" but the more I play, it seems the tone gets more and more warm. This could of course be due to the fact that my technique gets better (at least I hope so ) but I have the idea, that the guitar itself sounds different. Is it possible that the cone changes its sound over time? Right now I must say that the tone in my opinion has too much bass and itīs very hard for me to stress out the melody notes, esp. on the 1st and 2nd string.

Any ideas?

SteveH - Posted - 09/08/2010:  03:29:25

I have the same instrument, and I think it's one that has good potential! I don't think the cone really changes, but it could be a case of the components kind of "settling in" and the strings wearing out could be causing the difference in tone. I remember mine shipped with medium guitar strings on in, so a change to resonator gauge like D'Addario EJ42 will make a big difference. Ultimately, I had a pro setup done on mine and I think the tone quality rivals much more expensive instruments.

Dean Upson - Posted - 09/08/2010:  05:30:28

Ditto on changing the strings. The imports tend to have lousy strings on them and a good set like Steve mentioned is a good place to start to get a much better sound.

Dean

rolf - Posted - 09/08/2010:  06:20:28

Hey there!

Thanks for the answers so far!
Well, I think it should not be the strings, because I changed them on the very first day (I know from other guitars, that the original strings are rubbish in most cases). I use GHS 16-56 WhiteBronze. If I calculate ~1.5 hours playing per day, that is ~33 hours in three weeks, this should not kill the strings. Of course I hear that the strings do not sound that crisp as in the beginning, but this is not what I meant. Worn out strings loose their brightness, become unprecise in the deeper tones and are hard to tune, but thatīs not the case. Meanwhile I have made another observation. Just after I wrote the post (very early this morning) it was quite cold in my living room (maybe 16°C) the guitar sounded more bright . Now I turned on the heating (~22°C) and the sound again is as I wrote first . Is it simply depending on the temperature? It can not be the room/location where I play, because this is always the same ....

Steve, you said sth. ībout "settling in" of the components ..... might be as well ..... hmmm ....

Iīll keep an eye on it an let you know which metamorphosis this guitar will go through in the coming weeks/months (or maybe ask you for a good psychiatrist )

SteveH - Posted - 09/08/2010:  07:08:18

Interesting...

I've had temperature changes cause tuning problems, but haven't seen it cause an actual change in tone.

Keep us posted!

leegee - Posted - 09/09/2010:  04:25:04

You bet... Everything posted above is true and can effect the tone of any instrument. I own an old Conn strobotuner, and continually check my instrument when recording. I have found that just the body heat of my hands will change will flatten or sharp strings between takes. When I have to play outdoors on stage with the sun hitting the instrument UCKIE POOO ... Thank God for modern day guitar tuners. leegee

Dean Upson - Posted - 09/09/2010:  04:53:47

Humidity sure makes a difference. I find that my instruments stay in tune better if I case them after I use them, that helps to keep the dust out of them, too. I try to keep the humidity level in the house constant, but it is pretty hard to do in the summer, the humidifiers throw off a bunch of heat. Speaking of tuners. I just got a Peterson Strobo Clip and I really like it. I still use the Strobo Flip, but this one works very well and it has sweetened tunings for dobro. They run about $70 just about anywhere.

Dean

El Dobro - Posted - 09/09/2010:  10:20:33

Maybe it's you and not the guitar that's changing.

fred d - Posted - 09/09/2010:  12:20:29

As a new player possibly you are not aware that moving your right hand will change the sound a lot deeper and higher near the bridge and more mellow as you move towards the fret board