Why do some old guitars sound so good? Even inexpensive guitars can age into really good sounding instruments, and some old guitarsattain legendary tone. Why is this?The answer can be foundinone of three factors and the best combine all of them.
First it should be pointed out that some old guitars sound great… but not all of them. As stated by Cy Fair Music & Arts: piano lessons for adults houston, this is true regardless of brand. It is probable that many average sounding guitars don’t make it to old age because they aren’t deemed to be worth taking care of. On the other hand, a guitar that sounds warm and fat when newer will probably experience better care and that translates to relative longevity. But this possibility aside, it is also true that a mediocre guitar is not going to morph into a world class instrument with time. So it can be said that not all older guitars are great sounding, and those with the experience to know can verify this. But it does seem to happen that many older guitars sound better than modern ones. Let us consider why this may be.
What is the most important factor in the tone of any acoustic guitar? The answer is the quality of the top. (Please see my article on Voicing and Tap Tuning for more on this topic.) The availability of quality wood “in the old days” was better than it is now in these days of limited natural resources. It is also probable that judging wood for intrument tops was a skill that has diminished with time. Violin makers know this, and even today the best violins are made by luthiers who know how to find the right wood. So many great old guitars have better top wood than modern guitars. And you can be sure that when you hear an amazing sounding vintage guitar, it owes its tone in large measure to a great top, whether by happenstance or someone’s skill.
Secondly, vintage guitars were made (if they are old enough) by luthiers who understood some of the principles of voicing and tuning. Martin ceased individually voicing their guitars in the 1940’s and 50’s. It is not a coincidence that pre-war Martins and those from the first years after are coveted for their tone, and Martin is still trading on the reputation from those golden years. It is important to understand that voicing alone is not the answer; you can’t voice a poor guitar into greatness. But voicing, when done with skill, will bring out the best in a guitar and will cause all of the parts to work together. So any guitar, made with a great top and voiced/tuned to bring out the best in the wood, will get better with age. Why is this?
Wood contains cells that are shaped like tubes. Everyone knows that wood absorbs moisture in humid conditions and expels moisture during dry conditions. This is what causes wood to swell or shrink at different times of the year. The moisture is stored in these hollow cells. There is evidence to suggest that over a long period of time these cells tend to collapse, which in turn limits how much moisture they can absorb. In other words, the older wood becomes more stable and reaches equilibrium. These changes cause the guitar top to become dryer,and lighter andmore stiff as it ages… the perfect recipe for an improving top. The lighter and stiffer a top is, the better it will sound if everything else is equal.
Most acoustic players are familiar with the reality that new guitars break in as they are played, and will sound better and better as they are regularly subjected to the vibration of the strings. As stated in Awkwardsound site, there are even commercial devices being marketed that propose to simulate this effect, although the actual results from using them get mixed revues. Imagine how the benefits of “playing in” a guitar are amplified over decades. This is yet another possible reason for the great tone many older guitars have.
To sum up: If an older guitar has a great top that has become more stiff and light with age, that has been individually voiced for optimum response, and has played with love over many years, the resulting tonal changes can be extremely pleasing to the ear. No magic, no mystery, just great materials, great craftsmanship, and time!
FAQs
In other words, the older wood becomes more stable and reaches equilibrium. These changes cause the guitar top to become dryer, and lighter and more stiff as it ages… the perfect recipe for an improving top. The lighter and stiffer a top is, the better it will sound if everything else is equal.
Why do older instruments sound better? ›
One thing that might explain why older instruments are perceived to sound better is natural selection. In the case of instruments this means that only the instruments which sounded good in the first place ever made it to old age.
Why do some guitars sound better? ›
One major factor that affects the sound of an electric guitar is the type of pickups it uses. Single coil pickups, which are commonly found on Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, have a brighter and more trebly sound.
Why do people want old guitars? ›
Many people love to have a vintage instrument because of the sound and craftsmanship – vintage instruments are generally made and finished by hand, meaning no two similar instruments are exactly alike.
Does the age of a guitar matter? ›
The more an acoustic guitar is played, the more the vibrations loosen and relax the grain of the wood. This is a very subtle process but, over time, it does make a difference. That said, elapsed time or simply the "age" of the guitar is not what causes this, rather the time and intensity at which the guitar is played.
Why do older guitars sound better? ›
In other words, the older wood becomes more stable and reaches equilibrium. These changes cause the guitar top to become dryer, and lighter and more stiff as it ages… the perfect recipe for an improving top. The lighter and stiffer a top is, the better it will sound if everything else is equal.
Why does old music sound better? ›
Listening to old music can be like taking a trip down memory lane. It can also help us to appreciate how far we've come since then. Also, as we mentioned, old music often sounds better than new music. This is because it was recorded on analog equipment, which gives it a warmer, more natural sound.
Do heavier guitars sound better? ›
The lighter one is likely to be more responsive: tickle the strings and it mews like a kitten; whack it hard and it roars like a tiger. The hefty one will be more of a bruiser, with less dynamic response but more midrange grunt.
Do Taylor guitars sound better with age? ›
Do Taylor guitars sound better with age? Yes, Taylor guitars do sound better with age! However, it's worth mentioning that there are caveats and nuances to this answer.
Do more expensive guitars sound better? ›
Aged guitars feel “broken in” right out of the box, which can mean the neck is more comfortable or the body doesn't slip on your lap, for instance. The expensive guitar may sound a lot better, which not only makes you a better player through increased practice, but also improves the sound of your playing.
A vintage guitar is an older guitar usually sought after and maintained by avid collectors or musicians.
Are guitars becoming less popular? ›
Total US guitar sales dropped over 50% from 1.5 million units yearly in the 2000s down to around 600,000 as of 2020. However, the past few years showed a leveling off of declines, and 2021 even saw a slight uptick likely driven by pandemic factors.
Are old guitars harder to play? ›
You can play the same chords, alter the tuning, shred, and create harmonics. However, when you're playing a vintage guitar, you may struggle to do some of these things. The fretboards of some vintage guitars make shredding very difficult. It will also take some work to get modern sounds out of your vintage guitar.
Is 70 too old to learn guitar? ›
While it's true that learning new things and new concepts gets harder as you get older, it's almost always possible to learn guitar, even into your 60s and 70s. For seniors, the biggest issue will likely be having the physical mobility in their hands necessary to play, primarily as it relates to your flexor tendons.
Is 80 too old to learn guitar? ›
The resounding answer is yes. There really is no limit to what each one of us can achieve, and in many respects age is no restriction. The basic tenets of learning apply to everyone, regardless of age, advantages or disadvantages. Success requires hard work, dedication and perseverance.
What age is too late to learn guitar? ›
And while you may have passed up the chance to be a child prodigy or teen heartthrob, it is never too late to start. Ask any teacher. Cathy Fink tells about a favorite student who picked up guitar at 55. “I went around the room and asked all the beginners what they were doing in the class,” she recalls.
Why do instruments get better with age? ›
“The aging process comes with the playing process. [That] means the more you play it, the more it ages. The more it vibrates. That's the reason why old instruments, older violins, they are sounding good- because you play it.
Why do old sound systems sound better? ›
Those large transformers let the amplifier drive demanding speakers with ease and let the system run at a higher current. Most vintage receivers used Class A/B amps, which were more efficient and ran cooler than their Class A counterparts.
Why does music sound different when you get older? ›
As we age, our auditory system often undergoes changes that can impact the way we perceive and enjoy sounds. This natural progression, known as presbycusis or age-related hearing loss,typically manifests as a reduced ability to hear higher frequencies and can make certain sounds and speech harder to decipher.
