Luthiers - What are the myths or misconceptions guitarist have about the instrument

[John Coloccia]

What about a one piece blank for electric guitar bodies vs a two or more piece blank? Is there a real significant difference in the sound?

James

I hear no difference. I hear no difference with the number of pieces an acoustic/archtop is made out of. You'd be shocked to know how many archtops are actually 4 piece tops as opposed to a simple bookmatch. Many many have little "wings" at the lower bout. Makes no difference in my opinion.

[James White]

I hear no difference. I hear no difference with the number of pieces an acoustic/archtop is made out of. You'd be shocked to know how many archtops are actually 4 piece tops as opposed to a simple bookmatch. Many many have little "wings" at the lower bout. Makes no difference in my opinion.

Do others concur with Johns opinion/observations? I am asking because I have a friend who wants to buy blanks form me. But is insisting on a one piece blank. He feels that this is an important detail that too many builders overlook. Is he just falling for hype?

James

[george wilson]

Even Stradavari sometimes resorted to "wings". The top doesn't vibrate appreciably that near the edge, The sides hold it rigidly. A careful matching job,and it would be hard to spot. It is silly to think otherwise.

As for 2 piece tops,ask him if he knows all Strad's violins had 2 piece book matched tops. Guaneri even made a few violins with KNOTS in the top. No one knows why. There is a story that he was in jail at the time,relying on the jailer's kind daughter to bring him wood. There's no proof of that though. The fact remains that his violins still sounded good,knots and all.

[James White]

Even Stradavari sometimes resorted to "wings". The top doesn't vibrate appreciably that near the edge, The sides hold it rigidly. A careful matching job,and it would be hard to spot. It is silly to think otherwise.

As for 2 piece tops,ask him if he knows all Strad's violins had 2 piece book matched tops. Guaneri even made a few violins with KNOTS in the top. No one knows why. There is a story that he was in jail at the time,relying on the jailer's kind daughter to bring him wood. There's no proof of that though. The fact remains that his violins still sounded good,knots and all.

George,

Can I take it that you are saying? If it does not mater in these more sensitive acoustic instruments. Then it truly does not mater in electrics.

Regards,
James

[Shawn Pixley]

Do others concur with Johns opinion/observations? I am asking because I have a friend who wants to buy blanks form me. But is insisting on a one piece blank. He feels that this is an important detail that too many builders overlook. Is he just falling for hype?

James

For electric guitars, other than aesthetics, I don't think there's a nickle's worth of difference in the sound of a 1 piece vs 2 piece. For my best instruments by sound: the Telecaster - 3 piece, 1 Les Paul - 1 piece, 1 Les Paul - 2 piece, both G&L ASAT's - 1 Piece Blank, ES335 - 2 piece, both Ibanez's - 2 or more pieces (one is a neck-thru model).

For electrics and archtops, I don't hear any difference between 1 piece vs 2 piece on high end (sound, not price) instruments. For low end guitars (sound) and "cheap" guitars there is a difference in sound, but I can't say it is attributable to the number of pieces to the top or back. There are far too many other variables that come into play.

So to answer simply, I fully agree with John and George on that issue.

[george wilson]

It does not matter especially in electrics. Too many young guys get some silly notion in their heads and can't be gotten off of their beliefs. Old guys do it to. Everyone wants to believe that have found the mythical secret of great tone. Trouble is,they end up ignoring the REAL things that do contribute to tone.

[Greg Peterson]

+1 George.

I'd rather have great touch, a great amp and a plywood bodied guitar than no touch, a modeling amp and $3k beauty queen electric.

The truly great players *may* be able to find a sound or tone in a high end solid body electric that eludes mere mortals. But even the talented ones rely more on their technique and amp than the guitar. The significance of the electric stringed instrument to the final timbre is greatly exaggerated, IMO.