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RE: Guitar making today better than ever?
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Ruphus
Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010
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 RE: Guitar making today better than ... (in reply to devilhand)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: devilhand
quote:
In different days we may hear sounds in a different way.
I wonder if it is scientifically proven?
In applications when you rely on hearing for long hours, like in studio work for instance while tweaking mixes, the phenomenon of changing perception is a well known one. (Wondering next day what mess one might have done, overworked last time.)
And with all the scientific studies on sensual dependency and perceiving subjectivity, I am sure that there exist some on hearing too. (Actually thinking to remember such, but not definitely.)
Had my perplexing experiences with guitars altering due to central European changes of humidity. (Once making me exchange strings in panic, for not having been aware of what the actual cause was.)
But same thing also occurring where RH being constantly low. Just last time with a generally really fine guitar, that suddenly appeared so muffled, dull, lifeless. And when I took same axe under same conditions out of it´s case yesterday, it felt and sounded lovely once again.
Extremes obviously triggered by my personal frustration about a playing handicap that sneaked into my life (and whichs way to overcome I have come to understand only recently).
In former times (before the handicap) subjectivity / deviation in perception and hearing, although not as gross as now, were also contrasting enough.
When the lust (usually after abstinence for a while, like when returning from a trip or thelike momentum) was up, the very same guitars that me was familiar with for a long time, then seemed to unfold all the candy they had, and sometimes beyond that.
The way an instrument feels is so much more depending on one´s mood, than many might realize. Down to your worst days, when you might not be tuned for comparing guitars, because of the inner (emotional) ear being in frustration altogether (for whatever reason, that might not even have to do with music or ears).
So, what assumedly be best for A/Bing?
Parameter of physical condition like room & humidity (hence, if you brought your own guitar with you to a shop / letting it acclimatize first), and most important of all: Having a day of tonal craving or at least mirth.
How to figure out when that thing is being in place? Dunno.
All I know is that when it´s there, it quite shows.
-It´s how I came to staying in the kitchen almost all night, about two weeks ago.
Someone had brought a digital player with her (while my stereo hasn´t been set up since moving to new place / me hadn´t heard good music for months). And the unexpectedly intense lust of tingling ossicles wouldn´t let me get up and go to sleep. That day, just like last night, a likely appropriate state for appreciating individual properties of different instruments, in the same time.
When the emotion / tonal passion is there, the ear will be functioning well too.
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Date Apr. 2 2020 12:33:07
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Andy Culpepper
Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA
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RE: Guitar making today better than ... (in reply to Echi)
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It's a little hard to admit because we (or at least I) tend to idolize the giants of 19th and 20th century guitar making, and many makers tend to see their career as an attempt to live up to the ideal set by Torres, Hauser, Santos Hernandez, etc.
BUT if you think about it: athletes are better than they have ever been. Musicians are better than they have ever been, at least technically. Science, medicine, engineering, all much more advanced than they have ever been. So it's hard to argue that luthiers are somehow getting worse. Unless you think the wood is inferior now, which personally I have seen no evidence for.
_____________________________
Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com
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Date Apr. 3 2020 1:27:41
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RobF
Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017
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RE: Guitar making today better than ... (in reply to johnguitar)
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quote:
I am a huge fan of guitars by Torres, Santos, Barbero, Arias and quite a few others. I am also a HUGE fan of my own guitars I can't bring myself to say that I have learned everything the old guys have to teach me but neither can I say that we have gone downhill from what they were doing.
Well put.
As far as knowledge is concerned, sometimes I feel like Donald Rumsfeld when it comes to making, what with the known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, or however that goes. I can only keep building, pay attention with my eyes and ears to what’s around me, and try to remain open to what I encounter and to what each new build reveals.
I do get a kick out of some of the makers who advertise themselves as “Masters”. My first teacher is undoubtedly a true master of the craft, but I’ve never heard him call himself that. He once quite pointedly told me he didn’t consider himself to be one and didn’t like being referred to as one. I know him well enough to suspect he feels considering himself in such a light would interfere with approaching the craft with what the Buddhists would call “Beginner’s Mind”, and thus be a hinderance.
As far as wood is concerned, just like makers such as Barbero had to contend with shortages during the embargoes of the postwar years, we work with what we can get. But good tops and Rosewoods can still be had, IMO, Cypress, too. What I hope might gain more acceptance in today’s market is the use of structurally and sonically high grade wood that might suffer from cosmetic challenges.
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Date Apr. 3 2020 9:43:11
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Ruphus
Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010
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RE: Guitar making today better than ... (in reply to Echi)
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A guitar has been built for me years ago by a contemporary guitar maker who undoubtedly stands for a special talent. I am hoping his creation to match what I experienced only once with the guitar of a Spanish master (I know, everyone here would agree that he is a master). –I couldn´t get my hands on this specially made instrument yet, however.
In the meantime, keep in mind please, how in the past folks have been ridiculing Tom for his fine tuning, until they realized what a sounding quality his guitars have.
He believes that the old Spanish builders had a certain knowledge in that realm which was gained through tradition and passed on by generations. -And that such proficiency of a final touch has been widely gone lost.
Too mystical in sight of modern technical achievement?
Above acoustics have been mentioned.
Are you aware that only a few today are being reputated as being firm in that realm? And that engaging them still gives no guaranty for optimal live rooms in million-dollar recording studios? (Often times still absorbers required.)
In the same time specialists on acoustics had already reached proficiency in ancient times that had them build venues with predictable accuracy (and without patching). A level not regained despite of the computer age.
(What has been invented just recently though are amazing absorbers, which can also entirely eliminate noise. Not too far in the future making silence possible wherever wanted. In buildings and even in the open of cities.)
There besides exist even clues (still radioactive remains, melted walls, etc.) that there may have been taking place nuclear explosion in times longer ago than 8000 years; but that´s another topic.
Further, other relicts exist that can´t be replicated by today´s means. (Not even just in terms of logistics.)
I am pointing such out to say, that we mustn´t be too sure about a chronological lead in all aspects of craft.
About lost wisdom however: For sure.
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Date Apr. 3 2020 14:35:11
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I can't bring myself to say that I have learned everything the old guys have to teach me but neither can I say that we have gone downhill from what they were doing. On the other hand, here are an awful lot of people building today who are trying to re-invent the wheel; they haven't had a traditional teacher nor have they been able to study past masters. There are so many things they don't know that make for a better instrument. The worst part is they are now teaching or postulating themselves as masters of the craft. So perhaps they are dragging down the average level of making today. The one thing I want to take issue with is the comments about quality of wood. You may or may not be able to get the best wood today but any maker worth his salt bought his wood a number of years ago and I can tell you that I sure got some great stuff 20 years ago. Upon examining vintage guitars I have seen some totally crap wood used, even by some good old makers. I have also seen excellent wood used but that happens today too. So lets celebrate the past and celebrate their wood choices and skills but if you want to compare them, do so with the professional makers of today and not pretend that this real knowledge and skill is on the internet or floating in the air. 
