The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 07-28-2014, 07:34 AM
Gasworker Gasworker is online now
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,187
Question Acoustic Guitar Headroom

I have to admit I had never paid attention to headroom definitions because I have only played acoustic guitars. I see references to headroom now on the AGF but for the most part I ignore it. Lately I have seen a few head scratcher comments so I did a search but it didn't help me out much.

I understand amp distortion and the term head room much better now.

I am still confused on how the term is used in reference to acoustic guitars.

Plugged in, distortion comes through the amp right?

Unplugged, hmmm, am I to assume that players whale on their guitars to the point of distortion from the sound box and a listener will pick this up? (I understand string distortion)

Is headroom an issue for unplugged finger players? (It has never been for me but I am just curious )
__________________
A couple of Halcyons and a Canadian made Larrivee

"Wish I had more time to hear your reasons, but I have to go get a beer." 00-28
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-28-2014, 07:44 AM
fazool's Avatar
fazool fazool is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 16,559
Default

I have a very delicate small body cedar-top acoustic guitar. A fingerstyle guitar.

If I use a plectrum and strum HARD, there is a limit to how much volume I can get out of my acoustic. It maxes out and won't get louder. Similarly, the beautiful note definition and harmonics get lost and muddied when I play it so hard.


Conversely, a hard sitka topped dread or jumbo will not have this problem.
__________________
Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter"

000-15 / GC7 / GA3-12 / SB2-C / SB2-Cp / AVC-11MHx / AC-240
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-28-2014, 07:49 AM
roylor4 roylor4 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: McLeansville, NC
Posts: 7,449
Default

Yup, you've pretty much got it. As an electric harmonica player I have always sought out small amps that "broke up quickly" - usually between 3-12 watts. The faster break up, the dirtier the tone - almost every harp player likes that dirty 'ol Chicago harp tone.

"Breaking up" is not a desirable quality in an acoustic, I have a Masterbilt EF500RCCE that is nearly as loud as my Eastman OM but gets "muddy" or "distorted" when played hard - say past 75-80%. The Eastman maintains it's clarity up to about 95%. Not noticeable until you pay them back to back. Probably due to the MB's Cedar top although bracing and other stuff play a tole too, I'm sure.
__________________
Roy


Ibanez, Recording King, Gretsch, Martin
G&L, Squier, Orange (x 2),
Bugera, JBL, Soundcraft

Our duo website - UPDATED 7/26/19

Last edited by roylor4; 07-28-2014 at 07:51 AM. Reason: omission
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=