Interesting article

[zulu]

An interesting experiment that relates to this discussion:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/ja ... ?fb=optOut

A blindfold test where violinists play new violins compared with strads. Apparently most liked the new ones better.

 

[davismanLV]

Humans are often victims of the need for status. There is a certain status that comes from the hood ornament of a Mercedes Benz, the headstock of a Guild DV72/Martin D45, etc. We get locked in to what we see to the point of missing the more important aspects; e.g., how it feels, sounds, etc.
Joe

This is a parameter that really can't be discounted in any testing. There are guitars that look like they sound the best, and guitars that sound like they look the best. But until you remove the visual, you're going to get cross-contamination of the senses and the perception. The other thing is, while you CAN take a nice guitar and not play it (seems like a crime to me) to compare with a played one.... you CANNOT stop the passage of time. So comparisons will always be part conjecture and wonder. 8)

 

[adorshki]

So comparisons will always be part conjecture and wonder. 8)

Yep, all these kinds of studies demonstrate is that a group of, let's call 'em "skilled technicians", or "expert witnesses" find that a "new" instrument CAN sound "as good" as an "old" instrument....which I think is no big surprise to most of us but is a contradiction of the popular myth about "old" instruments and Stradivari violins, and thus, "newsworthy".
Yawn.
(No disrespect intended to those who're sharing the articles.)

 

[bluesypicky]

I think the final result in tone will ultimately be depending on the level of amonia in the bear's urine. (The one that went peepee on the tree used for the instrument)
Think you're the only one to know about chemistry Ridge hmmm? :lol:

 

[adorshki]

I think the final result in tone will ultimately be depending on the level of amonia in the bear's urine. (The one that went peepee on the tree used for the instrument)

Is that why some guitars smell funny?

 

[bluesypicky]

I think the final result in tone will ultimately be depending on the level of amonia in the bear's urine. (The one that went peepee on the tree used for the instrument)

Is that why some guitars smell funny?

Got it now?... that "musky" smell....? :wink:

 

[fronobulax]

An interesting experiment that relates to this discussion:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/ja ... ?fb=optOut

A blindfold test where violinists play new violins compared with strads. Apparently most liked the new ones better.

I note with some amusement that the link above and the link in the original post are both "popularizations" of recent research performed and published by Claudia Fritz et. al. I find it interesting, educational, and not unexpected that both articles choose a different slant on the same study.

I find this post by one of the participating violinists interesting and I note with regret that the original study seems to be behind a paywall.

 

[adorshki]

I find this post by one of the participating violinists interesting and I note with regret that the original study seems to be behind a paywall.

Cool. Thanks.
I notice she emphasized that they were asked which one(s) they
preferred, which leads back to the question of "who decides what's 'good' ? "
In fairness it only seems to make sense to have the instruments judged by several professional musicians with well-educated ears. At least you get several opinions to "average out".

 

[Ridgemont]

I think the final result in tone will ultimately be depending on the level of amonia in the bear's urine. (The one that went peepee on the tree used for the instrument)
Think you're the only one to know about chemistry Ridge hmmm? :lol:

Many may not know this, but there is some controversy as to whether the post production application of ammonia accelerates the aging and brittling process of tone woods. That is why I figure I am doing everybody a favor by not asking the location of the restroom while in my local guitar shop.

 

[adorshki]

I think the final result in tone will ultimately be depending on the level of amonia in the bear's urine. (The one that went peepee on the tree used for the instrument)
Think you're the only one to know about chemistry Ridge hmmm? :lol:

Many may not know this, but there is some controversy as to whether the post production application of ammonia accelerates the aging and brittling process of tone woods. That is why I figure I am doing everybody a favor by not asking the location of the restroom while in my local guitar shop.

'zat why the part of the fence the cats sit on sounds so much better now when I throw a rock at it than it used to?

 

[Ridgemont]

I think the final result in tone will ultimately be depending on the level of amonia in the bear's urine. (The one that went peepee on the tree used for the instrument)
Think you're the only one to know about chemistry Ridge hmmm? :lol:

Many may not know this, but there is some controversy as to whether the post production application of ammonia accelerates the aging and brittling process of tone woods. That is why I figure I am doing everybody a favor by not asking the location of the restroom while in my local guitar shop.

'zat why the part of the fence the cats sit on sounds so much better now when I throw a rock at it than it used to?

That is what you call the sweet spot. :mrgreen:

 

[Ridgemont]

What is needed is to record an instrument with a few predetermined musical passages, get an oscilloscope recording of that, and compare recordings taken periodically over time to verify what if any changes actually occur. Maybe even as simple as simple tap tests on a few spots to eliminate the variable of the player and their potential varying skill on a given day.
For teh record: I DO believe in opening up and I DO believe that it's the player, not the instrument, that has the MOST influence on "tone". :wink:

Here you go Al. Not the best, but it is all I have. viewtopic.php?f=36&t=29640

 

[adorshki]

What is needed is to record an instrument with a few predetermined musical passages, get an oscilloscope recording of that, and compare recordings taken periodically over time to verify what if any changes actually occur. Maybe even as simple as simple tap tests on a few spots to eliminate the variable of the player and their potential varying skill on a given day.
For the record: I DO believe in opening up and I DO believe that it's the player, not the instrument, that has the MOST influence on "tone". :wink:

Here you go Al. Not the best, but it is all I have. viewtopic.php?f=36&t=29640

Appreciate it, great work! BUT, sadly, still withpout soundboard in this 'puter so can't hear it myself. Hoping others (especially someone like Frosty) will offer their opinions.