Guitar Opening Up

[tobymaude]

AS I said in an earlier post, I'm very happy w/my "new" GAD JF48. I'll admit, ordering it w/o playing one, I had reservations about the polyester finish but the guitar sounds fine -- not as full and resonant as it would with a nitro finish, but it has exceeded my expectations. Can anyone tell me if poly finished guitars can be expected to open up after a spell or it this is as good as it's gonna get?

Thanks
alan

GAD J48
Tygert Jumbo Dread
Peake Movingui Dread
THL Koa Dread
Tacoma ER38C
Carvin Custom Bolt
G&L ASAT Deluxe (signed by BB King and Buddy Guy)
Vineyard TB Strat Copy

 

[Tunes]

Alan,

No expert here, but I don't think the finish is the major determining factor on how your guitar will open up. It's wood, plain and simple. Like any wood, as it ages the cellular structure changes (man, I sound like a cyentist :roll: ), which seems to me the primary factor in how your instrument will sound even 1 year from now, and 5 years from now.

IMHO, the poly finish will probably determine more how the guitar LOOKS 5 years from now. My 1993 is getting a really nice patina after 15 years or so. Not sure how the newer finishes will age, maybe better - but hope we are all around to see it!

God bless and good playin'.

 

[Scratch]

The only 'new' Guild I now own (NOS actually) is the '05 D40. It is aging wonderfully; now distinctly fuller and richer than just two years ago. 'The older the wood, the more open the wood' is traditional opinion. The other important factor is to consider how often the guitar is played. Lots of play (lots of vibrations) opens the top faster. Earlier threads suggest leaving the guitar in front of a stereo speaker on occasion to enhance the process. IMO, the more the the guitar is played as it ages is the key. Lastly, types and grades of spruce (sitka, adriondack) and grain density should also be considered. Typically 'aaa' spruce is tighter grained than 'aa' etc...