#1
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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 )
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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 |
#2
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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.
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Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" Taylor GC7, GA3-12, SB2-C, SB2-Cp...... Ibanez AVC-11MHx , AC-240 |
#3
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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.
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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 |