Thanks for that pic. Niki! I was wondering how it looked from the back.

Oh man: look what I miss by switching my computer off for 20 hours!

So many interesting posts. But what's troubling me most is this:



Why is that last one for us Brits, please?

Also, I'm worried about this:



I must disagree. The main thing our brains achieve that has caused our survival is to tell us: "Run away from the lions! And run faster than the other guy!!"

...

Great thread, Niki.

Cheers - C

I told you about not checking in regular Ceri! I've enjoyed sitting back and reading all of these highly intelligent/scientific discussions!

The curious thing on these kinds of threads is when people are actually saying almost exactly the same thing, but saying it like it is the most fundamental disagreement.

I was dismayed by Orville's contribution, though. I just want to BELIEVE that his '54 and '64 somehow sound totally superior to anything else. I was on the verge of offering to pay his airline ticket if he'd bring his Strats over for the test Niki suggested (pages back): now I'm not so sure...

- C

Umm, I want to contribute here, but......

For all practical purposes my first two guitars should sound the same. I mean, maple necks, maple body(well one is a neck thru with alder sides, but the pu's go into the maple), EMG 81's...right. Well not so fast, one is a neck thru and the other is a bolt on. One has a fixed bridge and the other has a floyd. One is a 25.5 scale and the other is 24.75 scale. Also one has a flat radius and the other is more like the new strats.

Do they sound totally different, no, but I hear a difference. I can use the same amp settings and both guitars sound good, but there are differences. One is more articulate in hearing each note and is brighter. The other has a fatter, meatier tone...thicker if you will. The sustain seems about equal, with the edge going to one of them.

Can you guess which guitar has what attributes? The two described guitars are listed in my sig. Lets discuss why they sound different

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Check this out.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/q418373742262256/

It's not guitar wood but the principle is the same. I find it interesting that glue had no effect on the measurements.

HA! Good one. ALthough the truth is, we can't outrun lions, we can't outfight tigers, we don't have the physical attributes to survive in the wild. What we have are brains that assess, categorize, compare and remember... the much-vaunted opposable thumb, while handy, would be useless without it. That's how we made the tools and weapons that allowed us to dominate the planet, and the fine electric guitars we all enjoy.

New South Wales

Not

Newport south Wales.

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No no and no

Oi..! I've lived in New South Wales all my life... so there's something I've got to get indignant about?! pfff... I'll add it to my list... heh.

/edit... Oh, OK, you mean UNSW. Funnily enough, I studied there -- Fine Arts rather than music, though. Yes, I have a Masters in F.A.

A masters in F.A.
I sincerely hope its not SWEET.

Too funny mate.

What part of Oz are you in Mondo? I've close family in Port Noarlunga that are currently whisking their way from california to birmingham. Im taking them to see birmingham symphony orchestra saturday ( i really hope simon rattle is still conducting). My missus has a brother somewhere in the NW.

_________________
No no and no

I think we should all visit guitar shop ourselves this weekend and try it out

Out of luck, by the look of it. This Saturday I'm seeing "An English Celebration for St George's Day" in Symphony Hall, and "Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle" with the CoB Choir (but not Symphony Orchestra) in Birmingham Town Hall.

Sadly, Simon ("Baby") Rattle is still in Berlin most of the time, these days...


Well, right back at you. But I'm sure we don't want to go there...



Matter o' fact, that's not what I've said. I've precisely said I can't hear different body woods, let alone finishes - which is not the same thing.

In as much as; hand me a Strat with a solid finish on it and I certainly couldn't tell you what the timber is by listening to it.

However, given that I definitely can here the (miniscule) difference between Niki's two fingerboards, and likewise with other similar tests (and my own experience demo'ing guitars), I'd be absolutely astounded if there were indeed no difference whatsoever between bodies of different woods. In fact, I'd be most interested to hear a comparable test to Niki's but A/B'ing body timbers.

Given that sound is no more nor less than vibrations transmitted through matter it would need some major explaining if the sound didn't change when that matter changes.

And yet: I am also in agreement with all those here who think these differences so shrinkingly tiny when compared to other factors in electric guitars as to make them unimportant when choosing guitars. I choose my timbers for their prettiness.

Don't want to get all forensic about it - but I think that's all consistent...

BTW:


I'm never offended to be mistaken for an Australian (which happens to me quite often in America). I was merely pretending to be surprised to be so confused - for the vastly humorous effect therein (that last is British irony)...

Cheers - C