| Author | Message | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Junior Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 20 Registered: 6-2012 |
Apologizing in advance for no specific Alembic content. About five years ago I acquired a pre-owned Collings SoCo Deluxe 6-string electric guitar. It is a semi-hollow instrument with a carved quilted maple top with f-holes and carved mahogany back & sides - basically, the mahogany is hogged out to create a "bowl" and the maple top is then fitted over it like a cover. It also has a slotted alder sustain block that cradles the neck inside the body. This guitar sounded pretty good when I originally acquired it and, over the years, I've used it for a few gigs and rehearsals when a 335-style guitar has been required. I've always been pleased with it's performance, but I've never been knocked out enough to use it as regularly as some of my other guitars. As such, it has spent the majority of it's time resting in its case - although I do visit it periodically just to make sure that everything remains in working order. Last week, since it had been about 6 months since my last visit, I decided to use it for one of my private practice sessions just to check up on it's status. To say that I was completely overwhelmed by its performance is an understatement. The resonance and sustain have both increased exponentially. Chords and single lines seem to be "grabbed" and held - almost like the affect of a compressor - if that makes any sense. In addition, the detail of each note and the sound of the strings has also improved even though the strings are several years old. I have no explanation for this dramatic "improvement" other than the wood has changed or has finally settled in and become comfortable with being a guitar. Anyone else have a similar experience with a good instrument that suddenly and mysteriously became great? | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 753 Registered: 9-2009 |
Personally, I've had several of these experiences. Most seem to not be there any longer the next time I play the instrument. As a result, I'm left wondering what if anything really occurred or it was my imagination (or something else). On the other hand, I've had experiences in the same practice venues with the bass and amp on the exact same settings where other players have asked what I was doing differently because my tone had gone from good to great. Again, this has often been only for one night. Makes you wonder? | ||
| peoplechipper
Senior Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 637 Registered: 2-2009 |
I love old instruments; as I've related before, my Melody Maker is a wonder guitar full of songs...when the guitar is vintage they just rule because the wood is excellent and well aged and vibrated...as a guitar breaks in I think sometimes the wood and string age can combine to sound better than it should and it's hard to replicate...but you know you have a good one if it gives glimpses of the future like that...Tony. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Junior Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 21 Registered: 6-2012 |
Hammer - normally I'd agree 100% with you - a fluke experience due to the room, the power, celestial alignment, my ears, or...? I've also had those experiences and they defy logic, but this is a little different. Since this "discovery" I've been using the SoCo exclusively for my daily personal practice sessions and have taken it out to use for amp and FX demos up at the guitar store where I work part time. The tonal changes have remained consistent despite changes in environment and the different amps and FX that I've been using. Tony - I hope you are correct. If this is a glimpse of the future, this one's a keeper. | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Intermediate Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 113 Registered: 2-2010 |
Double post. (Message edited by Ed_zeppelin on September 29, 2015) | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Intermediate Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 114 Registered: 2-2010 |
This is one of my favorite articles about wood, by William Cumpiano. http://tinyurl.com/oexqhow | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 755 Registered: 9-2009 |
Wow! great article |
