Markie Mark

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Kind of interested in exploring my gut-string side, but I could use a refresher course on the wood as it effects the sound. I figure that a mark 4/5 is probably the target.

Thoughts?
 

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My search ability is temporary limited. I am in Negril for a short vacation and the bandwidth is limited. ;-)
 

adorshki

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Comments on properties of cedar tops here:

http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?192701-Mark-IV-wood-ID
There is something of a general consensus regarding the use of Spruce as opposed to Cedar. I say general, as it isn't a hard and fast rule. Cedar soundboards are known for tonal "warmth", due to their inherent bias toward enthusiastically reproducing the midrange frequencies. Mid's are more pronounced, hence Cedar's popularity with instrumentalists. Spruce tends to be less vociferous in the midrange, coincidentally making room for the human voice in the mix. Spruce is more "balanced", low to high, hence it's popularity with singers.
And here:
http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?192754-JF-30-with-a-cedar-top
A note from Santa Cruz Guitar's site:
"We use cedar specifically for our fingerstyle instruments as it responds quickly and with good volume to a light attack. It is also very well suited to open or lowered tension tunings as they require the same qualities for good separation and definition. Cedar does lose tonal integrity when over driven, making it a poor choice for versatility but an excellent top wood for showcasing finger styles."
Which is also the only place SCGC uses it:
http://www.santacruzguitar.com/instruments/fingerstyle/
 

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Keep an eye out for me folks? I have a a left-handed Simon and Patrick with a cedar top, that is a really good sounding guitar, but it's, uh a lefty, so it's not something I would play much.
 
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