Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tim on January 28, 2010 at 4:24pm

your body is absorbing some of the energy when its held to you.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 28, 2010 at 4:36pm

Crazy thing is, and not surprising, its not as noticeable on a standard 6 string acoustic. I'm sure its the geometry and acoustics that makes the difference. Just blew me away that this much effect could happen.

Thanks for the reply.

-WY

Tim said:

your body is absorbing some of the energy when its held to you.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on January 28, 2010 at 4:37pm

fiddle players have known this a long time.

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on January 29, 2010 at 12:27am

Yep ... the thing is, a lot of people get hung up on the "soundboard" concept.
The top of the box vibrates causing the sound.
Thats true ... but what is also true is the whole stinkin' thing vibrates .. even more so if its not clutched up against your body.

I've tried to train myself to play these with a corner on my leg an only my arm touching the edge.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on January 29, 2010 at 4:50am

Yup, there are two camps: shoulder rest and no shoulder rest. I like the shoulder rest for comfort, don't really care about the sound difference.

Wichita Sam said:

fiddle players have known this a long time.

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Permalink Reply by rich gallagher on January 29, 2010 at 5:35am

mandolin players use a kind of cage to isolate their body from the mando

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TGM1.htm

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 29, 2010 at 3:43pm

No sh17. I was thinking of this kind of device -- or something like it.

thanks.

-WY

rich gallagher said:

mandolin players use a kind of cage to isolate their body from the mando

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/TGM1.htm

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on January 30, 2010 at 7:17am

The standard "embrochure" that classical players are taught is to have as little of the guitar in contact with the body as possible. Just the rear edge of the body resting on the thigh, the back of the instrument well away from the body, and the lower "side" angled so that only that edge contacts the thigh.

From reading Guitar Player for many years, it's also common practice to mic the back of the guitar when recording an acoustic instrument in the studio.

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