Question for the Luthiers

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Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

Question for the Luthiers

When I put the capo on the 4th fret, my guitar opens out and sings sweet with icreased volume.
I know there are problematic wolf notes around on every instrument but why does this percieved improvement happen?

Just interested to know.

Jim.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2004 15:01:59

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Jim Opfer)

My guess would be that guitars have a favourable resonance range of harmonics. Higher notes overall have more energy and shorter sustain than lower frequencies, so maybe that brings out the inherent resonance and sounds muy flamenco? Just a guess.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2004 17:49:12

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Jim Opfer)

I think every guitar sings best in a certain area... probably the great luthiers have gotten this to be consistent indeed. I know that for some reason, a 'B' is very resonant on my instrument.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 18 2004 0:50:39

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Escribano)

quote:

maybe that brings out the inherent resonance and sounds muy flamenco

Hi Simon and MdM,

Aye! it's an odd thing, this 4th fret, I mean why the 4th and top makers knowing these things, should perhaps use these effects to best advantage. The perfect Bb Buleria guitar, but then again 'por cante' with capo on any fret, mmm...!

So why not adjust the natural resonance to be somewhere inbetween the semi-tones so that it doesn't dominate? but then again, why spoil the fun of finding this on your guitar and enjoyment of just going there to hear that sound.

Do either your guitars do this?

Jim

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 18 2004 18:11:37

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Jim Opfer)

I'm not really keen on the capo on less than the 4th fret.
I've always been that way, don't know why.
I guess I just like that tense, brittle sound rather than that large classical sound you get with no capo.
Para mi es mas flamenco.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 18 2004 19:42:30

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Ron.M)

Higher than 2nd inhibits some of my barred falsetas and I get used to the smaller fret increments.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 18 2004 19:59:46

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Escribano)

Higher than 2nd is hard for me because I like to use the octave (12th fret on open) a lot.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 19 2004 0:31:12

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I'm sure other guitars might 'open up' on other frets?
1 or 2 is are popular positions for capo but does anyones guitar respond better there?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2004 21:35:53

nhills

Posts: 230
Joined: Jul. 13 2003
From: West Des Moines, IA USA

RE: Question for the Luthiers (in reply to Jim Opfer)

Hi Jim!

Yes - I have a '61 de la Chica that sounds like you added an amp at 2. Nowhere else - just 2! My guess is that it was played with it there a LOT before I got it.
Norman

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 20 2004 23:41:48