Oestex
©
GUITAR
AMPS PAGE
SECTION 11: VOICING THE GUITAR
“VOICING” is a very long-established
musical instrument term, originally applied to pipe organs and stringed
instruments centuries ago. The term is now used for any instrument capable of
adjustment.
VOICING is described at https://www.lewtak.com/art-of-pipe-voicing
In
the case of guitars, the luthier
is the craftsman who designs and manufactures the guitar instrument. See https://www.mi.edu/education/guitar-luthier-can-become-one/
Nowadays
with computer controlled machinery, much of the craftsmanship involved in the
precision manufacture of guitar components has been automated, resulting in the
production of low cost clone instruments, however computer controlled machines
cannot insert the artistry component of the process, or determine “tone” –
because “tone” is a subjective perception.
It
has been well established that the species and grain of the timbers used play
an important role in the final sound of the instrument. This is an aspect
machines cannot detect or select.
Hence
demand for upmarket “master” quality guitars remains
strong.
However
the difference in sound quality and playability between a master
built guitar and a machine built unit may not be great. As always – try before
you buy. It comes down to value –
what you get for what you pay.
But
then there are those musicians who want their dream guitar no matter what and
regardless of price. There is strong demand for vintage and “signature” models.
The
task of the LUTHIER
is to design and build an acoustic
guitar that has beautiful musical tone, playability and adequate loudness –
as well as physical features like shape and appearance.
Due to the
numerous variables and interactions, no two guitars produce the same sound –
even when they are identical physically – because wood is not a constant
material. Variables include grain structure and density and moisture content.
Note: Even
when the outer surfaces are treated with lacquer or resins etc the inside is
left open to the air so it can breath.
This means that in the winter when the air has high humidity, the guitar will
sound duller than in a hot dry climate. Same applies to rainy days. Solid body
guitars fare better than hollow-body units because the inside surfaces are
usually sealed by the painted surface.
This
video explains just how difficult it is for a successful commercial
manufacturer to get it right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkzyOkJS6dk
In
the case of the electric guitar the
natural sound of a solid body,
semi-hollow body or hollow-body
design carries through into the electronic sound by virtue of the natural
vibration created by the combination and interaction of body, neck and strings
activating the electric pickup.
Microphonic and piezo pickups enhance this
effect.
One
important advantage the SOLID BODY Electric Guitar has over the acoustic or electric
hollow-body or semi-hollow-body versions, is that
there is less influence over the pickups from the instrument itself, because
the instrument does not produce much acoustic energy – and therefore
interaction with the pickups. This enables a more pure (cleaner) electric signal
to be supplied to the preamplifier or effects sections of the system. The
cleaner sound provides more opportunity to manipulate it electronically.
This
video gives us an overview of electric guitar development https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEOuGs7m8bw
One
of the driving market forces in the music industry is “difference”. That is the
demand for guitarists (and bands) to have their own unique sound compared to
everyone else.
Add
to that personal preferences for physical dimensions like general appearance,
finish, trim, markings, choice of woods for neck and body, body shape and size,
neck width and length, neck with truss rod or natural wood, string spacing,
bridge height, nut height, size and dexterity of the player’s hands and
fingers, balance, ease of playing (playability), player’s “touch”, playing
style and more.
Young
aspiring guitarists might like to emulate their performing idol so want the
signature model – price does not matter.
An
experienced guitarist might just want to upgrade to a finer instrument or a guitar
that is better suited to the playing style or techniques.
Some
of these personal preferences may be rational, some subjective and some
irrational.
So
we can say that VOICING a guitar is
the art of modifying or adjusting the pre-existing instrument to produce the
best sound possible for our purpose.
ELECTRIC
GUITAR MANUFACTURE
Martin USA
Factory Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WES8A918wQc
Fender USA
Factory Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbdodxel3jw
Fender
Custom Shop Factory Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odH_lc1QtTo
Gibson USA
Factory Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zXJtkDstH0
You
Tube offers many more informative videos on the subject of Guitar Manufacture
at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=guitar+manufacture
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=electric+guitar+manufacture
You
Tube also offers many more informative videos on the subject of Guitar VOICING https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=luthier+guitar+voicing
Now that we
have the guitar setup right and are happy with its sound we can now focus on
the voicing the amplifier.
See Section 12: VOICING THE AMPLIFIER
**************************************************************************************************************
REMEMBER - ALWAYS TAKE CARE WHEN WORKING WITH
HIGH-VOLTAGE - DEATH IS PERMANENT!!
Contact:
"electron"
Email: contact
This page is located at http://www.oestex.com/tubes/guitaramps/2_intro.html
This page last modified 08 July 2023