4 UNDERRATED Acoustic Guitar Design Elements ★ Acoustic Tuesday 190

[@damienalvarez2957]

Scale length affects tone, too. Longer scale lengths have more brightness while Gibson scale lengths sound a bit more mellow. I’ve loved the looser feel and the tone of the latter.

[@davidchavez4464]

24inch scales over 25inch

[@MoonhareStudio]

Looking forward to next week's Molly Tuttle show. I had never come across her until I joined TAC a little under 50 days ago and I'm now a huge fan. Not only is she an amazing and inspirational player but she seems to be a genuinely lovely person with it (and her tutorials are great). Roll on next Tuesday! Darren in the UK.

[@timnewman1172]

3 years ago I broke my left hand in 2 places, but one didn't show up on x-ray and they didn't catch it before it had started to heal incorrectly... I ended up with 6 months of therapy but I thought my playing days were over. I even bought a left-handed Tele and tried to learn to play lefty! A guitar teacher encouraged my to go back and try to play "righty" again, and with lots of patience and isometrics, etc. I slowly started to regain my dexterity... I ended up re-discovering the acoustic guitar and traded a Les Paul I had owned for 27 years for a new Martin 0-18. It has been a revelation, my playing style has changed but I have nearly regained all of my playing ability and feel inspired to keep on playing until I die!

[@mib7483]

I just had a disc replaced in my lower back. I have a four inch incision below my belly button. This has prevented me from holding my guitar. I logged into TAC to watch the lessons so I won’t lose my momentum in my guitar journey.

[@DaveDiprose]

I had a carpel tunnel operation about 15 years ago that had my left wrist put in a cast and bent back. Not being able to play guitar after about a week I discovered that I could play mandolin, which I did often. When I went to the specialist for my post surgery consult about a month later, he told me that my mandolin playing was actually excellent therapy to get my wrist moving.

[@MPKramer]

Hey Tony - how about sound hole size, shape and placement as well as multiple sound holes?

[@antonsydorenko7572]

You’re right. Just listen to this thing, which proves something (at least for me) unbelievable and at the same time important kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmTPq2iBZbyWhpI PS Also think about the soundhole cover (which may take away the boominess)

[@rlk3605]

what are your thoughts regarding tone produce by a cutaway

[@antonsydorenko7572]

@@rlk3605 Well. Despite its ergonomics, in most applications it doesn’t appear to be a positive thing for me (except of dreadnoughts or jumbos, which may not have enough mids and highs). Cutaway makes the sound less saturated and a bit compressed if that makes sense. To prove that, you have to look at PRS acoustic guitars, which have pretty modest cutaway in comparison to some other instruments. That was made in order to reduce the difference between cutaway and non-cutaway designs as much as possible

[@alanemery1953]

@@antonsydorenko7572 That guitar sounds great. I have a Boulder Creek that utilized side ports which gives a great full sound. You can check them out here. I have a Jumbo KOA version, not shown in the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmSapIybbNplmbs

[@huwmorgan51]

Here's a question: what about pure acoustics versus electrified? The connection between the saddle and the top of the guitar seems to me to be crucial to transferring vibrations to the guitar top. If you have an electric sensor between the saddle and the guitar top does it dampen the vibrations in a way that affects the tone/volume?

[@Lucas_0368]

Yes, this is why the best acoustic pickups are mics or transducers or the both as a system. I don't like the sound of piezo pickups, even LrBaggs piezos are trash to me, and I really recommend that you find your favorite pickup, but I also recommend that you look for some mic system that has another way capture the sound (magmic, rare earth, T902 etc), or some transducer like K&K pure mini

[@colakeith1]

Ever hear of fan bracing? Most popularized in Spain and used in Flamenco and classical. It is a shame not to introduce this as well. Willie an other users of that type of guitars get a short shrift. Meanwhile , still recovering from my stroke about this time in 2020, I was finding my fretting hand was so weak (along with the carpal and arthritis being left handed) I couldn't even make a simple E chord. Upon starting my recovery I started exercising my right hand (fretting) to increase my strength and agility. I have had to relearn a lot of the songs I played even my originals.I am playing with more clarity and memory from increased playing time and practice. Acoustic Tuesday is a staple and your encouraging to all of has been a big help in my recovery . I have been playing since I was 11(now 68) and this was the most harrowing year for me. Thank you. I learn something new every week.

[@frankcarter6427]

I'm a short arse with a J200 - I can handle it cos of the waist, it sits lower - what I can't comfortably play is a dread

[@vwbeetle72jellybeen]

Okay, remember when you were counting the number of times you say, „Molly Tuttle?“ Yeah, in this episode alone I think I counted 7, so I can‘t wait for the next show to see if you top that! Good to be back in the saddle and watching TAC!

[@leewaite789]

Hi Tony, watching the show and I suddenly thought, does the pick guard effect the sound of your guitar? I’ve seen some, Gibsons I believe that have pick guards on both sides of the sound hole ?

[@BobPerrone]

neck length also has an affect on an instrument's tone

[@MuskMonkey]

Scale length does for sure

[@texhaines9957]

Scale length (short scale preferred); 14 fret vs 12 or 13th fret; and for me, having a slim neck profile (allows for better barre chords).

[@timnewman1172]

This.

[@cjsolo2010]

Binding has one functional purpose on a guitar: it covers the end grain of the plates (back and soundboard) to minimize splitting caused by different expansion rates due to humidity changes. This necessity then brought about the binding as an aesthetic consideration (since it had to be there in the first place). Binding has nothing to do with impact resistance, and impacting your guitar in such a way as to damage the binding only would be a one-in-one-million hit.

[@toddbeeman5933]

I'd like to see some kind of video discussing pickguard material and the effects.. for example, I've got 3 acoustics with pickguards made from Rosewood (a Dreadnought and an OM w/traditional teardrop shaped, and a smaller Grand Concert type body with a cutaway and a mini teardrop shaped pickguard). All 3 have been attached to the guitar's finish using double-sided 3M adhesive tape. Does the weight and hardness make a noticeable difference to tone, response, and/or sustainability? Maybe there's a test out there? I've often wondered if it would be beneficial to have them attached more like a bridge, where the first the finish is carefully removed, and then the bare wood of the pickguard glued to the bare guitar top. As well, what (if any) effects does a plastic or other synthetic material play regarding pickguard material.. and does a huge pickguard like on the Gibson Dove or Hummingbird hinder the top too much? I don't know.. maybe some/all pickguards vibrate with the top if they're adhered/glued close/tight enough? I think it'd be fascinating to see an in-depth study done.. possibly in a fairly controlled environment using just a carved piece of Spruce.. or an inexpensive acoustic, with something to activate a consistent vibration each time, and a microphone (possibly other measuring devices) recording data than can be compared? Just some food for thought! Sending peace & love from Missouri -Todd

[@markdearborn1828]

BTW Taylor's V brace is a style developed by Vega on mandolins, they called it an upside down A, I believe. I've seen it on cylinder back mandolins.

[@texhaines9957]

Wow, some of us have played claw hammer guitar since 1973...

[@acadianflatpicker]

Scale length, wood type (side & top), headstock, nut, saddle, bridge pin, sound hole

[@jamiescott1080]

How about the bridge / bridge plate? Have you ever played a Yairi direct coupled bridge system? Amazing difference in terms of tone and volume and also entirely prevents top belly.

[@TheGorillafoot]

Great video man! Really changed how I look at accoustics.

[@leewaite789]

Wow, last of the better days ahead. Thank you so much for turning me on to Charlie Parr ! I just love this song right out of the gate, the lyrics, the picking, just 👍🏻 👍🏻

[@CorvetteStingRayLane]

Wow, Tony! Thank you for your awesome message and video. I appreciate your knowledge and information about the Acoustic Guitar. Very interesting about all of the different types of the Acoustic Guitar’s . Thank you very much! Shalom Aleichem! Appreciate your video channel!!!

[@eddie3064]

So many things that can have an affect on the tone, response, vibration and playability of an acoustic guitar... Type of tonewood Shape and size of the guitar: orchestra vs dreadnought vs Jumbo etc. Type of bracing: As was covered here. String type and gauge. Binding. Type of nut and saddle material: Bone vs plastic vs synthetic etc. Even How you strum or attack the guitar... Whew...that's a lot to take in. Everything matters, everything...

[@felixkurternstschmelzer8871]

Adjustable neck, bridge type (including pinless bridges), saddle type (a cutthrough saddle is more difficult to adjust, wider saddles on modern fingerstyle guitars are said to improve intonation in alternate tunings), place of soundhole, soundports...

[@mburtondavis]

I’m a big guy but have a bad shoulder that’s aggravated by playing my dread naught so I bought a triple 0 body style. It’s solid mahogany with a cutaway and I love how bright it sounds it lacks a bit of the low but I still love it. The smaller body is much easier on my shoulder on my rotator cuff.

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

you could get a guitarperformance stand. I had an operation on my shoulder and it really helps as it is holding the guitar. Also you can try just a classical support for guitars. It will further reduce you pain playing the 000 guitar. greetings

[@geraldhills41]

Bone bridge pins improved my Takamine by 20% !

[@ianlarrimore8]

As always, thanks for making these videos. I searched your channel and the search results claimed there is no content on it regarding the tornavoz, a construction feature designed to lower the Helmholtz frequency of the guitar body chamber. I'd be very interested in your opinions of this odd but intriguing device (or a link to a video in which you have already covered it, if you have). I was surprised that Antonio Torres used the tornavoz on several legendary instruments. Technically, I guess Fender's new Acoustasonic employs a sort of short tornavoz, and a few high-end guitars have been made using them as well.

[@MultiRandman]

Would the binding affect the way the top resonates and thereby affect the sound?

[@egr9613]

I'd love hear everyone's thoughts on a few guitar design elements and how they affect tone or maintenance. Closed vs. open gear tuners? Straight through strings on the head of Seagull Guitars? Different materials for nuts and/or saddles? Different materials for bridges?

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

Look I see it like this: 0) what tony said 1) Stings will affect a lot the sound 2) your nails (flesh / nails ) or the pick (material/brand) will affect the sound 3) build quality (masterbuild vs guitar for 200 $) - everything else is in the other category.

[@squirrellydavecarter1451]

Open gear tuners all the way. They can be maintained much easier.

[@jackiet4575]

Bridge pins can affect tone. I use ebony bridge pins and it is quite the difference from plastic!

[@MuskMonkey]

I was blanketly surprised that fan bracing wasn't mentioned. Nylon guitars are a thing and I am seriously considering a crossover for finger style.

[@jeffposs8017]

Great video Tony as always. So many decisions.

[@skintslots]

I can't stop focusing on bobblehead Tony's head shaking since the in show comment. I recommend bobblehead Tony sits in for a segment and stops becoming merely a 'yes man.'

[@byroncrump4390]

Oops sorry Tony two more 1. pick guards I think I heard a marked difference 2. Does straight as possible string angles above the nut aid sustain? , Byron Maton owner from OZ

[@bonebag5069]

Two questions here: The X braced example you showed at the start (3:20?) is exactly like mine. Q1: So why do they have just two pieces going parallel to each other under the bridge? Why not another X? (or H?, w?, sideways K?, ha,ha.) I always thought mine was missing something there. She does have a little belly bulge, but it's cute. Q2: When you said they scallop the braces to cut the weight on the top? I just about spit coffee out my nose! How much could half a hand full of chips weigh? But really, why DO they scallop them? Is it maybe for a type of resonance tuning? Ask bobble head Tony! Oh yea, 80/20 bronze for the win!! Bone Bag OUT!!

[@Glicksman1]

I reduced the boominess of my D-45 by using lighter strings (.012s). This did a lot of good things - lowered the tension and action, improving feel, and all those useless lower mids were greatly attenuated. Also, there a number of archtop acoustics that sound great as an alternative to a flattop. They tend to be brighter and they project like cannons. The good ones don't sound thin at all. I have no problem at all with a properly designed, removable, bolt-on neck for an acousrtic, but purists will scoff at it. Oh, and beware of celluloid binding and pickguards. They often (not always) deteriorate, gas out, and require expensive replacement. The celluloid gas also ruins metal parts.

[@virgilioalbarese2603]

Hi Tony - Jay from SuthernBavariay - thanks for all your power !!

[@virgilioalbarese2603]

@@nicolen.9642 sauthern baväreiäi - yeah ! ;-)

[@davidward5225]

Real bone nut and saddle make a big difference, IMHO.

[@drog29]

Bracing size (including tone bar). Is 5/16 bracing with 1/4 tone bar all that different from everything at 5/16 or 1/4?

[@nickspitzley8539]

How the headstock is attached to the neck... If I see a line at the angle where it meets I'm probably not buying

[@stephenedwards622]

Tonal differences between the finish. Nitro, poly, satin etc

[@kyleharleyanderton]

What about guitar finishes and tone? Such as nitro vs poly, or thick polycoat?

[@edwardpetersen4309]

1/4" vs 5/16" brace width should be included in brace treatment as well. Also what about scale length . . . that's a biggie. And nut and saddle width and spread. Not to mention neck shape and thickness.

[@michaelposey6662]

I broke my neck at c4 c5 n severed my long thoracic and dorsal scapular nerve doc told me i would never play again because i lost the feeling in my left hand. I was suicidal over it but a friend of mine pushed me n wouldnt give up on me. I had to shift from lead to more rhythm and learning finger picking but i play every day. Even started doing vocals and found a hole new sound and new passion for music. I have a show this weekend playing to support our local veterans. Do not let them stop you. We are musicians because its in our soul. I Enjoyed the lesson here and just wanted to add to it. Hope thats cool. I do have a question about triple pickup systems. My preamp on my dean exotica went wonky and i was looking at changing it out and artec makes a triple pickup system that was kinda interesting. Do u have any knowledge about them? And what do u think of them if so?

[@isadorealire5722]

How much difference do you find in cut away vs traditional shape?

[@waygone6657]

What about Zero Fret guitars? How does the zero fret affect the sound and or playability?

[@BizarrePudding]

It's a fairly obvious one, so apologies if it's been mentioned already, but I'm always curious about the effect that cutaways do or don't have on an acoustic guitar...My unscientific feeling is that losing a percentage of the body and top of the guitar would have to affect the overall sound, but I don't know for a fact if that's the case...I've never owned or played one so can't speak from personal experience...Wondered if you might be able to shed some light on that subject?...thanks Tony

[@davidchavez4464]

Frets are massively important.

[@stevezelik9535]

A 12 fret guitar with short a scale length and a torrefied top are design elements I have debated going after. My GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is kicking in. Thanks Tony, my wife is going to hurt me. LOL!!!

[@kevinfay4062]

How about body shape - for example dreadnought vs. a single cutaway? I know the intent is to make it easier to play up the neck but how much effect does it have on tone?

[@pascalbaumgartner8226]

There's an effect on tone. Simply you loose bolume in the Guitar, so it is not that powerfull. But I'd always prefer the cut anyway.

[@possm33]

Tony, I am curious as to the nut width...I feel a 44 or 45 mm width is not a good strummer, I have a Taylor GC7 which is great at picking, but I really dislike strumming this guitar....my Ovation 43mm is my best strummer.....am I wrong or is it just my own feeling that is telling me this? I would like to know if any of my thoughts are off the wall or are sensible. Peace and Love

[@kirbyhumphrey3653]

I got my left hand tore up by a pit bull. It hurt like hell, raw skin and all but I still pushed back and played through it. If you think it didn't hurt, well I can assure you it didn't tickle. Now I got arthritis in my index finger left hand. Quit? Nope!

[@scottgeyer684]

Body type/shape, and scale length.

[@RyanChenMusic]

I see how you sidestepped the tonewood debate there 😂

[@tcoudi]

i love my Furch D, but I need to lose my beer belly..

[@TheTrollMastah]

I always look at the comfort of the guitar and neck profile first. Then construction, finish and price last lol. Been thinking about getting a Martin 000-28 with an Adirondack too but they’re really pricey, I have a D18 GE with that top but the 000-28s are much more comfortable for me

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

why not with sitka? its a great guitar.

[@TheTrollMastah]

@@janeandthecoolcats5033 don’t most 000-28s have Sitka? It’s a little less expensive, I have a Gibson J55 with the Adirondack top, just like my D18. I’m bent on selling the D18GE and getting a nice more comfortable guitar, which I’ve settled on a 000-28

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

@@TheTrollMastah yes they do. And as you said with adi it is a bit to expensive, I asked myself why not to go with the standard option. I mean the reimagined options (both 00018 and 00028) sound stellar. One advice: go to shop which have both 00018 and 00028, and then compare them side by side. I think its more common to pair mahagony with adi and I've played a 00018 with adi, but not a 00028. You could also try om sizes but they will be more uncompfertable for your sholder due to higher string tensions.. Anyway: try and compare. greeetings

[@TheTrollMastah]

@@janeandthecoolcats5033 Hey thank you! That’s honestly the hardest part for me to do. Local shops don’t have Martins so I have I go a ways out of town to even try anything I’m interested in

[@janeandthecoolcats5033]

@@TheTrollMastah maybe you can do it on a trip to somewhere or order both in a shop where you can send it back. in europe there are some shop with test for 30 day policies - maybe in the us too. cheers and good luck

[@skorpion3.]

im searching for a acoustic non electronic cuttaway guitar under 200 box

[@young_of_the_mill9560]

I thought this was Jonathan Davis of Korn at first

[@squirrellydavecarter1451]

To me size of body is huge of course. As an avid 000 guy I can also tell you that a proper fit is the most important thing. If you are five foot nothing playing a jumbo may sound great but your ability to play is hindered beyond any tonal properties. With that. It’s not just the body but the narrower string spacing commonly found on smaller guitars is key. Small handed players should play guitars with narrower necks and string spacing.

[@davidramusga5153]

yhooooo Im from portugal 2. nicee

[@nancyshumway4418]

Hello Tony Nancy from Germantown

[@byroncrump4390]

Cut away or not? Tony I think they sound different not better or worse just different

[@TheStringDojo]

6 mins and im woooowww!

[@rebeccals4018]

This guy is the Vsauce version for guitars

[@toddjohnson9753]

Great show. I've never heard of claw hammer so I'm looking forward to next weeks show.

[@chester777ful]

I dont agree with a lot you have said about the sounds of guitars its sods law you can buy an expencive guitar but also a guitar thats a lot cheaper sounds as good i dont think you can nail it down to age or expensive makes

[@hasansantoso6466]

hey mate do some reaction video, i suggest you do watch Alip Ba Ta play for the reaction video

[@nicolen.9642]

I never liked the dreadnought looks. Too big for me anyway. I get 000 or 0M.

[@samarzaga2984]

I think the song Molly Tuttle covers “ you don’t give me Aymore”was written by Phantogram.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Phil Keaggy lost a finger when he was a kid and I understand that he’s considered a virtuoso. I’m guessing he might say that with God all things are possible (agreed!). Thank you

[@mintonmiller]

frets. Jumbo vs thin frets. brass vs whatever.

[@zainabmarawan3704]

Do you like Dreadnought Guitars? I mean do you like their bodies?