Do acoustic guitars wear out? - FRETS.NET2024-03-28T22:49:11Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/do-acoustic-guitars-wear-out?commentId=2177249%3AComment%3A116549&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=no Robbie,
I found it in our…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-28:2177249:Comment:1165492013-08-28T06:27:51.792ZNed Knepphttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/NedKnepp
<p> Robbie, </p>
<p> I found it in our local library a few years ago. Thinking about it here got me looking for a copy of my own. I usually buy books for Kindle now ( my family share a single account so we all have access to the same library) but this one would probably end up in my small music library so I may spring for the hardback. Good writer with a nice subtle humor and a knack for keeping your interest. The book ended up covering aspects of the topic that I wouldn't have though of as he…</p>
<p> Robbie, </p>
<p> I found it in our local library a few years ago. Thinking about it here got me looking for a copy of my own. I usually buy books for Kindle now ( my family share a single account so we all have access to the same library) but this one would probably end up in my small music library so I may spring for the hardback. Good writer with a nice subtle humor and a knack for keeping your interest. The book ended up covering aspects of the topic that I wouldn't have though of as he learned about these "boxes with strings". Not heavy, not deep but a great read.</p> I always had a thing for old…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-27:2177249:Comment:1164562013-08-27T19:19:37.257ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<p>I always had a thing for old Chris Craft runabouts, but they give the phrase "a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into" new meaning.</p>
<p>I always had a thing for old Chris Craft runabouts, but they give the phrase "a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into" new meaning.</p> I used to restore old mahogan…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-27:2177249:Comment:1166342013-08-27T18:34:13.700ZPeter Lainehttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/PeterLaine
<p>I used to restore old mahogany runabouts, I can tell you that as long as the name plate is the same it is considered " original" / We used to get quite a kick out of this little fact.</p>
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<p>I used to restore old mahogany runabouts, I can tell you that as long as the name plate is the same it is considered " original" / We used to get quite a kick out of this little fact.</p>
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<p></p> Sounds like a book I'd like t…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-27:2177249:Comment:1165212013-08-27T16:11:52.979ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<p>Sounds like a book I'd like to read, Ned. Reminds me of the old philosophical question posed by some ancient Greek -"if, over time, every component of a boat is replaced, is it the same boat?"</p>
<p>Sounds like a book I'd like to read, Ned. Reminds me of the old philosophical question posed by some ancient Greek -"if, over time, every component of a boat is replaced, is it the same boat?"</p> Yes, it is true that many of…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-26:2177249:Comment:1165142013-08-26T23:37:59.901ZJohn Lambdinhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JohnLambdin
<p>Yes, it is true that many of those old Violins have become so brittle (from exposure and the like) that they don't play youthfully anymore, To be relegated to museums. But extensive study of dimensions, materials and how they were built has allowed all the generations since to produce great violins, new revelations come out all the time. As well as that great 300 year old discussion "the Secret of Stradivarius Varnish" . John</p>
<p>Yes, it is true that many of those old Violins have become so brittle (from exposure and the like) that they don't play youthfully anymore, To be relegated to museums. But extensive study of dimensions, materials and how they were built has allowed all the generations since to produce great violins, new revelations come out all the time. As well as that great 300 year old discussion "the Secret of Stradivarius Varnish" . John</p> My vote, Llyod Loar L5's and…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-26:2177249:Comment:1165102013-08-26T23:14:42.263ZJohn Lambdinhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JohnLambdin
<p> My vote, Llyod Loar L5's and mandolins, Gibson Super 400's, D Angelico, Stromberg, All early Martins, Pre CBS Fender, 50's Gibson Les Paul's .Really all the guitars that are super expensive now. O<span>nly The upper class (Royalty and the like) can afford. Another</span> parallel between Guitars and Violins.</p>
<p> My vote, Llyod Loar L5's and mandolins, Gibson Super 400's, D Angelico, Stromberg, All early Martins, Pre CBS Fender, 50's Gibson Les Paul's .Really all the guitars that are super expensive now. O<span>nly The upper class (Royalty and the like) can afford. Another</span> parallel between Guitars and Violins.</p> A few years ago I read a wond…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-26:2177249:Comment:1167052013-08-26T23:05:33.099ZNed Knepphttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/NedKnepp
<p>A few years ago I read a wonderful book called; "The Violin Maker". In the book a writer/brass instrument musician became intrigued by the attraction people have for violins and determined to find a maker that would allow him to follow the building process. As it turned out he happened to make connections with one of the premiere "copy" makers in the world. The book was an eye opener to me as this musician that knew very little about the world of strings follow the development of a very…</p>
<p>A few years ago I read a wonderful book called; "The Violin Maker". In the book a writer/brass instrument musician became intrigued by the attraction people have for violins and determined to find a maker that would allow him to follow the building process. As it turned out he happened to make connections with one of the premiere "copy" makers in the world. The book was an eye opener to me as this musician that knew very little about the world of strings follow the development of a very fine violin.</p>
<p>Part of his research lead him to the conclusion that it is not really possible for us to know what any great violin sounded like when it was new. All of the great violins have been modified through updates and repairs so many times that it not possible for us to hear an original version of any of these instruments. The luthier he was working with confirmed this and even conjectured that many of these instruments would be considered copies in other areas of instrument making because of the extensive repairs and modifications made to them over the years. He believes that its possible that some of the great violin family instruments don't actually have any original parts in them at this point. </p>
<p> I guess the real point is, as has been mentioned in this thread already, that our personal preference has a heavy influence on what is considered a great playing/sounding instrument and what is "worn out". If we fix it and update it long enough it may considered one of the pinnacles of the genre in a couple of hundred years... even if it doesn't sound or play anything like what it does now. </p> Thanks for the insight! I co…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-26:2177249:Comment:1164372013-08-26T22:47:39.521ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<p>Thanks for the insight! I couldn't pry myself away from the "string quartet" of Strads they have at the Smithsonian's Museum of Industry and Technology last summer.</p>
<p>Sounds about right on maintenance. Pro guitarists often restring every night and also have their guitars' truss rods adjusted with the seasons. Humidity is finally getting the attention it deserves.</p>
<p>Frank Ford documents some amazing guitar restorations on his companion site frets.com where he's resurrected rare…</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight! I couldn't pry myself away from the "string quartet" of Strads they have at the Smithsonian's Museum of Industry and Technology last summer.</p>
<p>Sounds about right on maintenance. Pro guitarists often restring every night and also have their guitars' truss rods adjusted with the seasons. Humidity is finally getting the attention it deserves.</p>
<p>Frank Ford documents some amazing guitar restorations on his companion site frets.com where he's resurrected rare instruments sometimes by creating new techniques, jigs and tools if necessary.</p>
<p>Be interesting to speculate which guitars will be the Stradivari or Guarnieri 200 years hence. I wonder if any are in James Taylor's Vault of Worn Out Guitars. ;-p</p> Hello, Since built in the 170…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-26:2177249:Comment:1166172013-08-26T22:31:53.887ZJohn Lambdinhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JohnLambdin
<p>Hello, Since built in the 1700's , All Strats and <span>Guarnier in use</span> today have been renecked (from originally glued and nailed on side) to a longer doved tailed neck with a higher angle to the body (That practice began around 1820), also the modern bridge is taller than original bridge (now only seen in museums), and the original bass bar has been replaced to larger and longer one to accommodate modern pitch (440 =A). when these violins were built, Their Middle "C" (Italy 1700) is…</p>
<p>Hello, Since built in the 1700's , All Strats and <span>Guarnier in use</span> today have been renecked (from originally glued and nailed on side) to a longer doved tailed neck with a higher angle to the body (That practice began around 1820), also the modern bridge is taller than original bridge (now only seen in museums), and the original bass bar has been replaced to larger and longer one to accommodate modern pitch (440 =A). when these violins were built, Their Middle "C" (Italy 1700) is currently "Concert" B flat. (Also important fact! the modern violin bow, invented 1805, France) although removing the top on a violin is real easy, Replacing Bassbar is not really done unless needed for repair of top. What is done is replace bridge and replace or adjust sound post (recommended adjust twice a year for viola and once a year for violins due to change of seasons) that is a little like rebooting the box. Also (recommended) always keep at concert pitch. With the nineteenth century addition of the Chinrest and the twentieth century addition of the shoulder rest, the body is free to fully vibrate. Another (modern) modification is to change tailpiece (A lighter tailpiece (Boxwood or a hollowed out) sounds different from a heavy one, Rosewood, Ebony ) . A concert Violinist travels with at least two violins and changes strings each week on at least one of them. Humidity and change of season is the enemy. One might think that all this is a bit extreme, But some of these violins are miracles of nature (acoustically) and genius in construction. well worth preservation. Oh and yes they cost millions, Even in the 1820's only The upper class (Royalty and the like) could afford Strad's and <span>Guarnieri's. And these have become the model for all modern violins. Stradivarius also made guitars as well Thanks John Lambdin</span></p> Thanks, John. Interesting per…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2013-08-26:2177249:Comment:1166932013-08-26T20:48:25.649ZRobbie Collinshttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RobbieCollins
<p>Thanks, John. Interesting perspective. I imagine it's difficult to tease out all the variables in play over 300 years - different countries, continents, latitudes, storage conditions, storage method, amount of play, quality of players, frequently of setups, repairs, amount of spilled beer, etc.</p>
<p>Please forgive my ignorance: Is removing and regluing the top and bass bar a consideration in delaying murkiness? Are bridges on the old violins considered disposable or part of the legacy? For…</p>
<p>Thanks, John. Interesting perspective. I imagine it's difficult to tease out all the variables in play over 300 years - different countries, continents, latitudes, storage conditions, storage method, amount of play, quality of players, frequently of setups, repairs, amount of spilled beer, etc.</p>
<p>Please forgive my ignorance: Is removing and regluing the top and bass bar a consideration in delaying murkiness? Are bridges on the old violins considered disposable or part of the legacy? For example, would a Strad with an original bridge be more desirable?</p>
<p>I would think the bridge would have a huge influence on sound. We know how picky buyers can be when it comes to old guitars, even with mods that improve them. Just wondering if there is a similar phenomenon with violin buyers. Maybe Strad owners put the original bridge in the case and install the equivalent of a Tonepros, Pigtail or Faber.</p>