Guitar not as loud as it used to be

[Horus]

My Martin CEO-7 is not as loud and resonant as it used to be. As a comparison, I have a plywood parlor guitar that is louder. String change and brand doesn't have any effect.

Is there anything particular I should look for (saddle, braces, etc.)?

Thanks

[warfrat73]

Sounds like it's over humidified.

Though, it could be a poorly seated saddle... but unless you've been fiddling with it that seems unlikely.

[Mandobart]

Brace(s) working loose?

Precut round core strings prior to installing them?

Hearing loss?

[sakar12]

When that happened to me, my guitar was over humidified.

[zmf]

Has the guitar had a tech/luthier's attention recently? Some guitars are sensitive to having the saddle lowered when lowering the action.

[Jobe]

Growing up I noticed my guitars came alive in the summertime in the Northeast and tended to go to sleep in the winter. It wasn't too drastic but it was certainly noticeable. Never failed. So I'm not sure what your guitar is saying but humidity may be the answer. Too much or too little?

[kizz]

If you don´t allready have one, buy a hygrometer and keep an eye on the numbers, humidity should not be higher that 55-60% in these ranges and up the guitar can sound muted.

[warfrat73]

Originally Posted by Jobe

Growing up I noticed my guitars came alive in the summertime in the Northeast and tended to go to sleep in the winter. It wasn't too drastic but it was certainly noticeable. Never failed. So I'm not sure what your guitar is saying but humidity may be the answer. Too much or too little?

I tend to find the opposite, honestly. That my guitars tend to sound better in the winter when they're a little drier, and worse in the summer when they're more damp... particularly when it gets really humid.

[buddyhu]

Have you made any truss rod adjustments? Or lowered the saddle? Changes in action and relief can choke off tone and volume. when i first received my (used) Webber jumbo, it had very little volume, but sounded good. After a visit to my luthier for a set up (where he replaced an improperly intonated saddle, added relief, and adjusted the action), it sounded much louder, and the tone really bloomed.

While humidity is one of the more likely causes, there are a number of possibilities.

[ljguitar]

I always make sure the humidity on my guitars is 40% or less.

They sound their best at that level.

Above 50% they start to sound like they are stuffed with socks.

[Bob Womack]

PIBFAC?
Problem Is Between Fingerboard And Chair?

Just kidding. Weird sense of humor.

Bob

[leew3]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

PIBFAC?
Problem Is Between Fingerboard And Chair?

Just kidding. Weird sense of humor.

Bob

I notice that my guitars sound very muted when I forget to put in my hearing aids!

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I tend to find the opposite, honestly. That my guitars tend to sound better in the winter when they're a little drier, and worse in the summer when they're more damp... particularly when it gets really humid.

I find that there are several variables that might be pertinent to this discussion. My two rosewood guitars sound their best just around 35-40% relative humidity in my home. My two mahogany guitars sound their best when the RE is between 45-50%.
Interestingly enough, the rosewood guitars were built in an environment that was a controlled 38% relative humidity and the mahogany guitars were built in a controlled environment where the RE was 45%.
I think that may also play a factor in how a guitar settles into its “sweet spot.” YMMV
Add to that that our hearing generally changes throughout the day and that sweet spot can get even more elusive. :-)
I am fortunate to live in the SF Bay Area where I experience over 60% or under 40% just a few weeks out of any given year.
Best,
Jayne

[Graylocks]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

I am fortunate to live in the SF Bay Area where I experience over 60% or under 40% just a few weeks out of any given year.
Best,
Jayne

I am contemplating relocating to the East Bay on a trial basis. I lived there for 11 years decades ago but at the time had no thought about guitars and humidity. Here in Georgia it's on my mind a lot especially since I have better guitars.

Do you leave your guitars out?

[hifivic]

What is the humidity level inside the guitar case?