Tips on how to make your acoustic guitar tone sound its absolute best

I've covered this stuff before but a lot of questions about "sound and tone" have came up from my "Upgrading your acoustic guitar" videos, so heres some things you can do yourself on the go to get the best sounds/tones your guitars are capable of producing. As always thanx for watching!
/ pretorious
CLICK IT! and WIN A GUITAR!

[@williambonney4699]

lotta dickheads thumbing down,, miserable bastards, if y'all know it all already, move on.....😎

[@RandySchartiger]

William Bonney always seem to be a bunch of gutless Pricks like that! They don't have the nuts to say what they didn't like, thanks for checking it out brother!

[@redlinemando]

@William Bonney 100% agreed

[@ZosoHacker]

I often wonder why they have a thumb down button. Just gives dick heads a platform for their talentless input.

[@CTSully1]

ZosoHacker probably upset about “bone nut or tusk”

[@redlinemando]

@@ZosoHacker Here's another way to look at it. Even a thumbs down is a response & another view added to the video. Therefore, it's a positive in that regard. Also, you'll notice that ppl who give Randy a thumbs down, never have the cojones enough to leave him a comment. Randy apparently stated this exactly in the comment just above mine. Sorry for repeating. lol

[@cecilmaney5153]

Took your advice , changed bridge,nut and pins all to bone and love the sound now...bought blank nut and bridge and carved them myself and they turned out great . I had a intonation problem and taking your advice on how to create proper distance between nut and bridge managed to clear that problem up...Enjoy your shows ,thanks for the advice.

[@DanielTPeace]

Enjoy your love and passion for the guitar and music in general, one of the major reasons I stay subscribed and keep coming back to your videos. Thanks for your contributions to the community.

[@richardadkins1427]

I really enjoy watching and listening to what you do Randy. not only is it entertaining but I learn something with every video. thanks.

[@starttherebellion9146]

OMG... dude, you are my hero with this video!!! - You just brought the quality of my guitar sound and recordings back to what made me choose this guitar over the field of the hundreds of other guitars I plucked this one from!!! - Thank you sooo much! It has truly made all the difference in the world!

[@theBUBBAMANcan]

I'm so glad I came across this video. You are a great teacher and I see now that I'm gonna need to watch a lot more of your videos! Thanks, man!

[@RandySchartiger]

Welcome aboard my friend and many thanks for checking out my videos!

[@StevenParente]

This was a very informative video Randy. Thanks! I hadn't heard of many of your techniques before. I'm going to try several of them out with my acoustic.

[@davidplatt8915]

Major props to you, Randy. Just inherited my first guitars from my recently deceased brother. Know virtually nothing about 'em but anxious to learn to play. Really appreciated this video. This is good stuff that I hadn't heard or been aware of. Thank you. Subscribed!

[@alanmizell]

Great video. Some things I should’ve known I need a reminder. And some great tips that I had just never heard of, things that were new to me. Looking forward to trying them all out.

[@Orieus]

Some excellent tips brother! i learned a few things that i wasnt aware of, after al these years of playing!!!! some nice chords u were playing as well man!!!!!

[@therealjulez7886]

Great explanation brother, and ur playing is really mint! luv how u started doin the intro for "we have got to get it together"

[@tossedpenny]

Great video, especially pointing out the tip not too hold the back of the guitfiddle against your chest while playing. I've seen experienced players using very expensive high end guitars holding them mashed up against their chest and it kills the tone, essentially turning their $4,000 guitar into a cheap sounding $100 laminate instrument. The least amount of body contact definitely lets the wood vibrate to its full potential. I even have dedicated guitar shirts I wear for playing my D28 that don't smother the back and top. Little tweaks and changes yield big results on these high end beauties.

[@bobd4605]

Just ran across your site even thought this video is old it's new to me! Very well done so y'all keep up the great work.

[@joynthis]

I drilled holes in mine to let more sound out, and I hold it at arm's length when I play, which really works the shoulders. I also wash it regularly with a mild pickle juice solution (for the electrolytes).

[@anthonymaloney6838]

This comment is criminally underrated. Well done sir, or ma'm. Whatever you are, well done.

[@tubemonks]

joynthis Great info. I'll try that on my Buddie Holly J45 Limited Edition..

[@tombryan1]

Not funny, but you are an idiot, that's irritating though

[@repeatoffender9902]

joynthis I’ve been using your methods and my guitar sounds great thx man the pickle juice really mellowed the tone woods too just kidding proper humidity 45 to 50% and good nut and saddle and strings are key to different tones but your guitar make body size woods is its sound start with something that u really like then it’s easy to tweak a little hi mids n lows in

[@eurabio]

damian veldt they would deserve it

[@johnp.5882]

Mr. Randy nice video and great advice that made a huge difference for me. I'm a beginner, been playing for about 2 months after ukulele for a 5 years. As I learned guitar I was slowly getting frustrated with my tone, so after watching your video I changed my arm position and my cheapo FD01S is back to life. Looks like I picked up some bad habits the more I practiced. Thanks for the help

[@jocuppa4564]

I can hear your wisdom and puttin it to use. Very very Much respect, peace, joe

[@kpmurphy62]

never thought about the capo clamped at the top would rob sound OMG I will never do that again

[@JohnJano]

Me neither! I had a capo and tuner on there!

[@Chris-SS]

Excellent video Randy, it made me look at my playing again. Thanks 😊

[@markdovell24]

thanks for the tips man very helpful!!! 😎🎸🎵

[@chezlerq4478]

Great video Randy. Ignore the idiots who chime in just to show their stupid. (and before anyone says it, that was not a typo. The way it is written, is the way it is meant. They are showing the stupid they have within themselves.) I have watched several of your vids, and enjoy them much. Good point about the arm-on-the-guitar. I always wear short sleeve shirts when I play and use my arm (just above the wrist) on the bridge as a mute. Lift off to let it ring. Back my arm way off to gain volume and tone every where. Thanks man.

[@jondoh3418]

This guys is a straight-up dude... common sense no bullshit. I appreciate his taking his time to share his knowledge. He is an intelligent guy. Proll'y not just CV about guitars either... either way Anyone who who beats down on his videos needs to just get on to lookin' stupid somewhere else. Thanks man...!

[@rolandmartel2496]

Outstanding video. I can only imagine through my phone earphones how gorgeous it sounds in that room you are in! I was just wondering about the guitar’s sound hole. To me it appears a bit larger than the standard sound hole. Like Clarence White. Very distinctive Martin you have there. Great stuff and thank you.

[@StONed-mb1iv]

your vids are truly better than a LOT out there! thx and keep going!

[@RandySchartiger]

Thank you my friend! More to come! :)

[@boyonaplane]

Thanks for the Info Randy!!! Always Good Stuff!!!

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

I did these upgrades to a brand new guitar. I installed a Tusq saddle, ebony bridge pins and I angled the tips of those. I installed a Mitchell's plate mate then added a Zero Glide nut. The guitar is an AMI DM-1ST. Yes, it is a low dollar guitar that is built well and all these add ons along with an enlarged sound hole that I did woke this guitar up. I use a Paige capo that stays on the guitar and stows by the nut when not in use. Thank you Randy for showin us how to make a guitar play and sound better because this all works great.

[@chipfilmstv]

Glad I found this channel. Watched 3 of your vids so far. Love it

[@RandySchartiger]

Thank you man and welcome aboard! I'm glad you found me too! :) Cheers!

[@nigelrathbone237]

Enjoyed your video man. Great playing with some solid advice. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

[@RandySchartiger]

Thank you much my friend! And Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@sussezq]

I am new to the guitar. Just wanted to say thank you for the tips! The arm lying on the guitar demonstration was SO effective!

[@RandySchartiger]

You're welcome my friend, thank you for your support! I'm glad the videos help! :)

[@superelectic45]

Good info as always. I've noticed gauge of string also makes a big difference, some guitars like light some heavy.

[@chuckgillespie1]

Thanks man - Love the videos!

[@cckdorm119]

Well I learned I’m holding my guitar too tight! Thanks for the tips!

[@chestercopperpot7106]

Awesome tips Randy! I had never considered some if these.

[@jimiguitar100]

This is great video, all very useful. I will contribute with saying that I clean my strings with alcohol when they get dirty and muted. And the beauty of the sound comes back instantly. I take old cotton shirt, put alcohol on it, squeeze it and I go from saddle to nut maybe 20 to 30 times. It works great for me, I dont have to change the strings so often and the sound is always there.

[@jerrywalaszek2473]

Hey Randy hope your well.Thanks brother for what you do!😉loving " Melissa" that was the first song my son and I learned to play together.

[@allstopblue5717]

I've used Tusq saddle, nut, and pins on acoustic. It absolutely changed the tone. Became brighter and more clarity. I have put black tusq nuts in several of my electrics as well. Quality product. night and day to plastic. Just do the table drop test and you clearly hear the resonance in higher quality pins,nuts,or saddles vs plastic. I subscribed also! Lot of knowledge you have and simply explained.

[@billanthony7651]

Yes! Nobody mentions the core tone of your guitar. Keep the crap off of your headstock! Simply Genius!

[@mauricecardinal6352]

Great tips about the tuner clamped on the headstock muting the vibrations. I just took mine off there and I will remember this! Thanks again.

[@travbatts]

Taking your tuner off will improve the sound by 1%

[@mauricecardinal6352]

@@travbatts Yes. I need that 1%.

[@tommyabernathy9880]

Thank you Mr. Randy! Awesome helpful video. 🍻

[@nickintaiwan]

Thanks for the tips! Good to see down to earth people just trying to help here on KZbin! Subscribed.

[@johnnygeejr500]

Great info, Thanks, Keep up the great work.

[@calebproductions5970]

I'm glad you made this video thanks I learned a lot

[@stevennichols5]

Fantastic Video!! Thanks for the help!!

[@DeeTee79]

Great video, thanks for the tips. Crossroads, seem to come and go…….. love it.

[@jakojenhh5002]

Man I could listen to you for days!

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Good tips and good playing, thank you!

[@BlindTom61]

Thank you for you hard work Randy. Rock on...

[@guitareck]

Excellent video, very informative!

[@stackedhippiechick]

I did switch to bone bridge pins on my 72 Martin D28 and it did help.

[@cuntrydude1]

THx for sharing, Randy, you´re the BEST, man!

[@codehack8981]

I love your videos man! Keep it up! Auto subscribe.

[@ambroseharper8316]

Great, informative video- thanks 😊

[@charlestehuia9263]

And your Martin sounds beautiful and really crisp

[@ericmason690]

Awesome video man thank you for making it

[@TonyWhitaker1954]

Wow, impressed! Played horns from '67 to '71. Started playing my Gibson 335 in '73. Just farted around for 30 years and finally learned to love the art. Your "common sense" videos are spot on! I also love your selection of songs for demos. I am 62. I would guess you are 57 from your music choices!

[@RandySchartiger]

lol you guessed it! My music choices get a little broad sometimes, I've been in so many bands I can't remember them all, played country, southern rock, medal, jazz and now bluegrass, so sometimes I wonder if my choices are the best ones or not lol Anyways thanks for your comment and for watching! Cheers!

[@hairballshaw6837]

Love your workshops

[@irishwanderer4206]

Good video Randy dude nice mellow vibe to your videos

[@benjamindague-classicalgui764]

Very informative video, thank you sir!

[@megacharlieifihealy5327]

Hi Randy , just came by 'ur videos , rely great imformation there thank's again

[@RandySchartiger]

Thanks my friend! I hope you subscribe and hang around! Much appreciated! :)

[@OfficialBluegrassMemed]

Very informative video! Great job.

[@tomgia1964]

Great vid Randy just subsided , I didn't know all that great education and leaned some finger picken too , ur pretty good bro . I got boxes that need work too ✌️️👍

[@windowsgeek2256]

Hey Randy. Greetings from Scotland. Thanks for the really helpful video. I love the tone you get from your guitar and wondered if you could tell me the make and gauge of strings you prefer.

[@RandySchartiger]

Martin MSP7200, they don't last as long as Elixir but last much longer than regular untreated and uncoated strings.

[@irishwanderer4206]

I agree with what you said about the clip on tuners and stuff each wood has a different sound which undisturbed can be cool.

[@robertjohnson3855]

Enjoy uo ur posts Randy. Thanks for your advice. You obviously are a great Luthier but also a player yourself and able to give great experience. What type of music do you play in your band?

[@RandySchartiger]

we just call it acoustic music, we play pink floyd, zepplin, acdc to flatt and scruggs, no boundaries lol

[@JoeWellsCountry]

Hey Randy, nice video and very helpful..... can i ask what gauge strings you are using on that martin? thanks and i really enjoy your videos.🎸

[@alann5003]

I love playing Melissa. Such a beautiful song.

[@CesarAllGuitar]

Great vid, tips and playing Randy!

[@RandySchartiger]

+Cesar Blues Guitar Thank you Cesar! Buddy I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! Very much appreciate you! :)

[@jackoshaw]

Watched your video....took my tuner/capo off the headstrock! you are right, sir.... It makes a world of difference....

[@RandySchartiger]

thanks for giving it a try! and thanks for watching! yep it does make a difference, some guitars more than others.

[@esugumshoe]

Great advice, thank you!

[@AhmetHasrcoglu]

I really like your videos. Thank you very much for all of this! Greetings from the other side of the world.

[@RandySchartiger]

Very cool people from the far side of the globe watching my videos! Thank you! :)

[@AvaPxiaO]

That's the side of the world that invented string instruments, so it can't be that far :) They play some amazing guitar like instruments with their frets all out of alignment into 1/4 and 1/8 of a note.

[@gibsonrose8847]

what a lovely guitar and thanks for the info! In my opinion the sound of youre guitar is better when you hold on your arm tight.

[@erics7766]

I would never do to this to one of my vintage Martins (cause they dont need it) but I live in Chile and bought a releatively cheap guitar to play here on the street and in clubs. It has scalloped X bracing but it still had way too much wood near the X. So i went in there with a very small wood chisel and carved out a bunch of the wood (about 3/4" in each direction of the X). It made a HUGE difference in how "live" the guitar top vibrated. Probably most people might think thats a crazy idea, but Im very happy with the improvement in tone I get now

[@MrBillsexton82]

As a beginner, I'd highly recommend this video. I learned quite a bit.

[@RandySchartiger]

thanks my friend for checking it out!

[@thomaschin3841]

Not only this video, this channel 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

always been a electric guy for the most part but damn boss. Didn't realize how sensitive acoustics were when it came to stuff like capos, picks, and stickers being on it. Great tips. Also was that a zeppelin lick? It totally was lol. Awesome.

[@RandySchartiger]

it seems like the higher end an acoustic is the more these things I mention in the video affects the sound and tone. thanks for checking out my videos! and yes yes it is a zepplin lick! :D

[@douglasbright134]

Great video thank you for the advice

[@archtopp1]

The last time I spent a few grand on a Martin guitar, it came with plastic bridge pins. That wasn't the first Martin I bought. The plastic pins have to go, and the reason you need the bridge plate fix is because the plastic pins bend and allow the ball end to creep into the hole, where it doesn't belong and wallow out the holes.

[@kobra42]

Very good tips Randy. The one about smothering your guitar....is so true. You can defiantly notice a difference if you strum a chord and mute it out by touching the top. Great comment Looney Larry !

[@RandySchartiger]

+Archie Bunker It's amazing how many players are soo good but ruin their sound by smothering their guitar from spending so many hours practicing they slouch over it and kill the true sounds and tones of their instrument! +Looney Larry TV makes some great points, I wish more people thought this way. :)

[@markthompsoncpa]

You are right on the capo, etc. I am not going to leave my tuner on headstock when playing anymore.

[@TheMovingBoxes]

Thanks for the video man!

[@Punki001]

The best sound for me comes from my old western guitar, for which you need pliers to tune cos the tuning knobs fell apart many years ago, there are holes in the body and i changed strings maybe 4 times in over 30 years. And it rattles when you shake it. Oh and of course the strings are high as the empire state building. I love this thing and would never change anything. To me it sounds like angels singing. But other people don't seem to hear what i hear when playing her. So in general you are right. Thank you for your videos. They are very helpful and i like to watch them. I subscribed after watching only one of your videos and didn't regret so far. Greetings from Germany.

[@RandySchartiger]

very cool! thanks for subscribing and checking out my videos. that sounds like a keeper you have, I always said an acoustic sounds its best when it literally about to come apart!

[@zepp2498]

Great advices, thank you so mujch. Greetings from France

[@brxtmp106]

Just found your channel and subscribed. Good stuff! You mentioned that you have focal distonia which Scott Divine (Scott's Bass Lessons here on KZbin) also has. He finds that wearing a glove counters that. He has a YT video explaining FD and how the gloves affect him. Perhaps you could also benefit...it's worth a try if you haven't already.

[@timjohnston56]

Nice video…..I worked with Larry Rice for years , Tony’s brother. He was talented ……never got to meet Tony but heard a lot of his stuff. Thanks for the info

[@thefunkytoaster]

Practice. That'll improve the sound of any guitar.

[@cruz.c]

Jesse Schafer yeah but my giotar sounds way to harsh... idk if its cos its steel string but other guitars just sound a lot warmer on the high strings

[@jfrphoto01]

@@cruz.c ... Could be the strings themselves! Some are brighter than others (think D'Addario EJ's {bright sound} vs EXP's {warmer sound}). I like Stringjoy brand strings, about the same price range, made in Nashville, Tennessee and you can, for the same price as their prepackaged sets, make a custom set of your personal preferences in string gauge for each string. I use them on both my Washburn 6 string and my Oscar Schmidt 12 string. (www.stringjoy.com) No I don't work for them, I just use them!

[@penfold7800]

Clorox; try thicker guage high strings. They're harder to push down (more tension) but the sound is not so tinny as finer guage strings

[@davidcarpenter9232]

Stevie Ray Vaughan set his action high and played #13,,, so you get out what you put in it ... physically ... D

[@davidcarpenter9232]

I'm real heavy-handed ,,, so I've got to play a heavy gauge or it's always out of tune ...

[@MrJohnboyBurns]

Love your content sir, very informative!

[@RandySchartiger]

thank you my friend! and thanks for checking out my videos!

[@guitarstruggles3140]

Sounds good brother! I've been trying to keep my fingers closed on my picking hand too, I feel like it gives my wrist a better angle for smaller movements. It feels awkward though, might give up on it soon.Rock on!

[@RandySchartiger]

+guitarstruggles I started watching players that really do a lot with the pick and it seems like most of them play with their hand more closed than open. It does feel weird! After I practice several hours it starts feeling normal until I pick up the guitar the next day. Hopefully it'll start feeling normal soon. Thanks for checking it out brother! :)

[@guitarstruggles3140]

+Randy Schartiger I know exactly what you mean brother!

[@user-rv2zu1vb2c]

thanks I have learned a lot from you

[@ufos22]

I watched Randy’s battery restoration video and thought I’d check out his guitar videos. I bought a Taylor 114ce not covered in plastic, raw wood. I thought the lacquer or polyurethane would change the sound. Bad idea. Now it still sounds great, but irreversibly stained dirty. The only way to really improve the sound of an acoustic guitar is new strings. 10 gauge is easier to play, but 12 gauge turns up the volume. The only other thing is humidity. In S Florida it’s 80% in the summer time. Now in January it’s 64% and what a difference. Taylor recommends 45%, but if you’re not living in the desert.....Nice video though, except for the moist box !

[@willieguitars]

Hello, your videos are great, very informative! I have a question: With acoustic guitars if I change only the tuner buttons on my Schaller machines to either ivory or snakewood will it affect the sound? Will sustain diminish?

[@qd4192]

I noticed a big difference when I don't hug my Taylor. Don't know why I never thought of that, but I appreciate the tip. Thanks.

[@suzannacrawford6447]

Great pick'in and great advice. Sometimes I forget to remove that stuff while I'm playing. It does make a difference. Some of my guitars have bone pins, some have ebony pins, I like the ebony on my Hogs. They all have bone saddles and nuts, which do make a difference.

[@RandySchartiger]

+Suzanna Crawford It does make a huge difference, it's fun to play around and experiment with them to see how it changes your guitar, sometimes I go back, and other times discover something new that I really like even better! :) Thanks for watching and for your comment Suzanna.

[@brucecurrier8725]

Randy, I'm in my 60's now and still play I have a seagul and I'm going to try a few things on it, My dream guitar is a Martin I just love them but being disable I still hope and pray. Keep up the good work and thank you for the great info.

[@RandySchartiger]

You're welcome Bruce many thanks to you for tuning in! Seagull makes some sweet guitars, I've had several of them come thru here and all of them were good instruments. Thanks again, I hope you get that Martin some day! :)

[@roni6135]

Splendid video n beard mate!

[@tannermulford2033]

Really good video. Kinda eye opening honestly.

[@harshakumar9571]

Great tips thank you . So necessary . One question I have fairly decent Yamaha guitar that used to have a very rich sound . I changed to lighter gauge for a years and don't play it much after that as I lost touch with playing . Now I put in some nice 12 gauge set but the sound seems more high on treble and bright - is there is way I could make it sound more warm ?

[@senditffh7919]

Great video. I have a question for you I've been playing for a year and it's a thin body guitar it's easier for me to play. I'm thinking of buying a new one what would you suggest for the money and what type of strings for it I like old 80's country music like Waylon Jennings, merel Haggard, Alabama. So what would you suggest for that type of music? Also price range under a thousand dollars. Thanks

[@alamosabill201]

Your opening credit music takes me back, if we were still on dial up none of this would be possible. 😜

[@RandySchartiger]

+Simon Bradbury I used to hate hearing that noise, knowing that anything I did online I'd have to wait forever for it to load. lol Pages of today and HD videos like these would never happen on dial up, we probably would get old waiting lol Thanks Simon for watching and commenting.

[@keninnis1]

Good tips Thanks

[@mikepowell3758]

Great ---Learned a lot

[@2011Noud]

Why thumbing down any of these video's with useful information? Simply great to have almost anything that contributes to the sound presented here. I missed the choice of picks while strumming or playing solo. For strumming you get a nice velvet like tone by using medium picks. Heavy picks appear to be more suitable for solo work but that's only my opinion. A great difference even is how you hold the pick. Holding it firmly while strumming makes the tone a bit harsh to my believe. And then we haven't even talked about the different materials picks can be made of. As that influences the sound as well. A dry or a moisturous environment not only can be dangerous for the condition of the guitar: It also has influence on how it sounds. But probably too much to tell in one video! Thanks anyway.

[@garyrayray9402]

Hi randy like your info on guitars and picked up some great ideas from them. I do need a little advice maybe you could help with this one? I have a few 40 to 60 year old acoustics in great condition and I do enjoy the sound of them but I'm trying to figure out a way to deoderize them! In the Phoenix AZ. area the weather is like living in a heat box. So that being said, I keep them humidified and they sound real sweet but the old wood stinks they are spruce tops and I believe mahogany one mite be rose wood back and sides! Sorry but i luv the old wood sound but the smell stinks up a room and even the arm and can't wear a long sleve shirt! Do you have any info on deoderizing these old great sounding boxes? Thanks Randy!