DV4 Setup

[blocke00]

I'm new to the forum so bear with me, please.

I finally broken down and bought a new acoustic after playing the same laminated and horrible New York Pro (never heard of it eh?) for about 8 years. I just bought a Guild DV4 (Tacoma) about a week ago after looking at some D-25M's online and realizing I needed to play something before I bought it (this may be my only guitar purchase for the next 7-8 years till I'm out of my PhD). I had a friend tell me years ago about Guild in the same breath as Seagull for lower-priced solid-wood guitars. I wish I had got one then, but I was 16 and had to have whatever I first set my eyes on.

Anyways, that's not the point of my post. I play mostly alt. country and acoustic ballads and the sound I'm looking for is a bit more mellow (not as bright on the high strings) than I am getting from my DV4. I don't need drastic change from the guitar just a little mellowing out. I play mostly a weak strum with my finger and if I strum really lightly I can get the tone I'm looking for. I've looked into new strings because I have a feeling the phosphorus bronze that are on there now are having an effect on how bright the guitar is.

Anyone have any clue how I can mellow this thing out a bit? I've thought about throwing a set of Silk and Steels on, has anyone tried this with the DV4?

Also, any general knowledge that a first-time solid wood owner should know? I feel like a 6 year old having to learn a bunch of stuff for the first time when I've been playing guitar for almost 10 years already. Its like not learning math until the 7th grade.

 

[chicagowineguy]

Hi there...as a fellow DV4 owner, albeit a slightly older '99 Westerly, I think the tone you're looking for may be realized by simply letting those strings settle in a bit. I don't find my DV4 bright at all...the hog back and sides makes for a pretty mellow sound, as compared to rosewood. You could experiment with different bridge pins, I suppose, but it's always a good debate as to whether they're really a difference maker. If you want that Nick Drake sound then older strings will help! Or of course you could start looking for a F20 or 30...but if you're financially strapped and you otherwise really like the DV4, which is a great guitar, then just play the heck out of it and let the strings mellow. Sounds like a dumb solution to your inquiry, I know, but sometimes dumb works!

 

[jcwu]

I also like mellower strings - I would love the sound of strings best right before they got so nasty/grimy/rusty that I *had* to change them. So I started using D'Addario EXPs - takes some of the brightness off right out of the pack - works for me.

 

[Graham]

Maybe it just needs playing and time to open up a bit. I've had two new guitars and both sounded a bit brighter than I liked at first. But after a while they get that nice warm sound.

Play and enjoy.

 

[wa3jpg]

another DV4 owner here, Tacoma (different guitar than the older DV4's by the way, but the same principles apply!)

I'd throw on a set of ebony bridge pins (usually very cheap to find). They should give it just a tiny bit more warmth over bright (in my experience, not a lot, but enough to notice). Letting the PB strings settle in should help also. If you're still looking for depth, consider non PB strings for your next change. If you don't need volume, the silk and steel ought to do well for you.

Clark

 

[Jeff]

I'm new to the forum so bear with me, please.


Anyone have any clue how I can mellow this thing out a bit? I've thought about throwing a set of Silk and Steels on, has anyone tried this with the DV4?

.

Welcome Blocke,

I've tired the Silk & Steels a few times on different guitars, & didn't like the result much.

I started using extra light strings on an electric & liked the results so much I started switching my acoustics to the lighter strings.

I put a set set of D'Addario Extra light Phosphor bronze strings, .010-.046, on my GF 60 about a week ago & like the result.

A set of extra light Ernie Balls on my G37 last string change gave me a smiliar result.

 

[FNG]

Try tuning it down a half step.

Or maybe some bronze strings.

Or give new PB strings a week to mellow out.

 

[blocke00]

Thanks everyone for your input! I had a friend tell me today that he usually takes his bronze strings out of the pack and lets them sit for a few days before he puts them on his guitar. The oxidation helps "deaden" the sound of strings a bit.

The Nick Drake sound is sort of what I'm going for. The dark tone and mellow strings really compliment my voice (which is usually how I play), which is not great by any means, but seems out of place in a really bright mix.

The great thing about this guitar is that I feel I can actually experiment a little with it. The ole New York Pro would sound the exact same no matter what strings I put on it. Friends would say, you have to try this, you have to try that and none of it ever worked. A crappy guitar sounds crappy no matter how good your setup is. After 8 years on that and the 3 or so on my beginner electrics, I figured I was due.