Arched Backs

[paganskins]

I played a Tacoma F50 last weekend (very nice, flawless finish) and it got me thinking about the arched backs on Guilds.
I've had a D4 with an arched mahogany back for years and never really considered it but I guess the back must gather and project the sound, a little like a satellite dish in reverse.
Also I wondered if the lack of bracing on the back made much difference to the sound, would it leave the body quicker due to having less surfaces to bounce off?
If so the difference between the sound of F412s and F512s wouldn't just be the difference between back and side woods but also the internal acoustics of the bodies too.

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

you're definitely on point here. arched backs don't require bracing because they're already strong from being pressed into shape. there is some difference in sound too. everything you do to the inside of the box has a subtle effect, although often it's hard to notice unless you are A/B-ing guitars next to each other.

 

[gilligan]

There is a lot of info on this topic here at LTG in past threads. Most are in discussions about the pre72-ish D25 (flat back w/bracing) vs the post 72-ish D25 (arched back), but the theme is the same and much input and related info is involved--you know how we like to go off the subject a little bit sometimes. Try the search at the top of the page.

gilligan

 

[J45dale]

To my ear, my D25 arch-back dred, is one of the most volume packed guitars I have ever played,unplugged. Mine is a 1985 sunburst, mohogany b&s, and spruce top. It would be a great outdoor stage guitar.
I have to drive My Martin D18AG and Gibson J45, both Mohogany dreds, harder to acheive this kind of volume, that the D25 delivers with a less agressive attack. Note, all can have the same size and brand of strings.
I think this power is due to the arched back. The projection is just more powerful, and the sustain is longer. It sings out with a raw, open, boomy voice.
I still prefere the neck on my J45... wider string spaceing, and it has the softer Gibson thump and twang. A fingerpicking "coffeyhouse" voice. And my Martin has that signiture 18 series, dry, woody sound,combined with perfect craftmanship. A flatpickers dream.
Its hard to understand how 3 Mohogany and Spruce Dreds could be so different, but they are, and I need all 3 in my stable.
I would suggest that everyone should test drive a Guild archback, and be prepared for a kick.... as (IMHO) they are not for the meek.
happy picking,
Dale.

 

[dreadnut]

Yeah, the D-25 archback has a lot of punch, it'll stand in there with a bluegrass band just fine.

I recently helped a friend obtain his first Guild thru a member of this forum, a D5CE. I was pleasantly surprised to see it has an arched rosewood back, too bad there's no smilie for "drool" I swear, if my buddy hadn't bought it, it'd be in Dred's stable 8)

 

[Mikeoso]

just to add a little ecumenical flavor here...my Gibson Gospel is an archback, and is louder and cleaner then most high-end Gibsons, despite being a discontinued entry level guitar