I'm having Paddy Burgin of NZ build a zouk for me. I've decided on a Honduran Rosewood/Redwood combination. My reasoning is this... I'm a solo performer (singer/songwriter, not an instrumentalist) so anytime I'd take the stage with the zouk, it would be without any other instruments in the mix. I'm thinking/hoping that wood combination will warm up the tone a bit and give me a bit stronger bottom end so the zouk will sound a bit better as a solo instrument. Any thoughts from anyone on my reasoning on this?
I've had a bunch of zouks and octave mandolins, and I think the tonewoods accounted for only some of the tonal differences.
The best document that I've read on tonewoods is the series written by Dana Bourgeois, here: http://www.pantheonguitars.com/
I played a great Burgin a few years ago at a festival. Threw off peals of sound, nicely finishedIf I had known what to do with the 5th course I might have bought it.
Steve, you're right. I should've done earlier what I did just now... I sent him a couple of mp3s of the style and sound I'm looking for. Doh! Sometimes I overcomplicate things.
You can't just pick a combination of tone woods and then "assume" a sound.
By common "known fact" a Maple back+ribs and Spruce sound board will give you a "bright" sound and a Rosewood/walnut back + Cedar sound board a more "mellow" sound - right?
Bollox - it CAN be that way BUT the biggest influence on the sound WILL BE how the luthier MAKES the beast.
Ever heard an all maple Gibson J200 Guitar? It's not "bright" but a deep even tone - it's the way it's made. Heard an old small OO size Martin Guitar - Brazilian Rosewood + top grade spruce top - very bright and clear.
The best thing to do is find a luthier you like/trust (you have) and tell him what you want it too sound like. your ideas on what you would like it TOO LOOK LIKE cab be incorporated.
I love highly figured wood (I'm also a woodturner) and so love to see "unusual" woods being used for insruments but it's the luthiers skill and knowledge that make up the vast part of how an instrument sounds.
Im with Steve L on this. Tell the luthier your specs - but if you dont know about woods/construction etc get the luthier to discuss the options and their effect on the final product with you.
What you are trying to do is not unusual in the zouk world - for instance Fylde's Touchstone bouzouki is trying to achieve the same thing:
What I know about wood, I know from a guitar player's perspective. How that transfers to a bouzouki, I can't really be sure. But talking to the luthier was good advice. He seems to think the wood selection is fine for what I want to achieve. I even sent him a couple of mp3 files that demonstrate how I intend to use the zouk and he says he has a good idea of what I want now.
So now I wait... and wait... and wait. He thinks August sounds about right for delivery.
zouk player input wanted
zouk player input wanted
I'm having Paddy Burgin of NZ build a zouk for me. I've decided on a Honduran Rosewood/Redwood combination. My reasoning is this... I'm a solo performer (singer/songwriter, not an instrumentalist) so anytime I'd take the stage with the zouk, it would be without any other instruments in the mix. I'm thinking/hoping that wood combination will warm up the tone a bit and give me a bit stronger bottom end so the zouk will sound a bit better as a solo instrument. Any thoughts from anyone on my reasoning on this?
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by JTC111
Re: zouk player input wanted
I've had a bunch of zouks and octave mandolins, and I think the tonewoods accounted for only some of the tonal differences.
The best document that I've read on tonewoods is the series written by Dana Bourgeois, here: http://www.pantheonguitars.com/
I played a great Burgin a few years ago at a festival. Threw off peals of sound, nicely finishedIf I had known what to do with the 5th course I might have bought it.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by arcaneone
Re: zouk player input wanted
I would give Mr. Burgin the most articulate description of your needs and expectations possible and trust his judgement on how to deliver the goods.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by Steve L
Re: zouk player input wanted
Steve, you're right. I should've done earlier what I did just now... I sent him a couple of mp3s of the style and sound I'm looking for. Doh! Sometimes I overcomplicate things.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by JTC111
Re: zouk player input wanted
Have you told him what tuning you want as well? Some luthiers take this into account also
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: zouk player input wanted
Good advice, Dave. I'm likely going to play in GDAD and I'll pass that along to him.
# Posted on February 17th 2009 by JTC111
Re: zouk player input wanted
You can't just pick a combination of tone woods and then "assume" a sound.
By common "known fact" a Maple back+ribs and Spruce sound board will give you a "bright" sound and a Rosewood/walnut back + Cedar sound board a more "mellow" sound - right?
Bollox - it CAN be that way BUT the biggest influence on the sound WILL BE how the luthier MAKES the beast.
Ever heard an all maple Gibson J200 Guitar? It's not "bright" but a deep even tone - it's the way it's made. Heard an old small OO size Martin Guitar - Brazilian Rosewood + top grade spruce top - very bright and clear.
The best thing to do is find a luthier you like/trust (you have) and tell him what you want it too sound like. your ideas on what you would like it TOO LOOK LIKE cab be incorporated.
I love highly figured wood (I'm also a woodturner) and so love to see "unusual" woods being used for insruments but it's the luthiers skill and knowledge that make up the vast part of how an instrument sounds.
# Posted on February 18th 2009 by UKCITTERN
Re: zouk player input wanted
Im with Steve L on this. Tell the luthier your specs - but if you dont know about woods/construction etc get the luthier to discuss the options and their effect on the final product with you.
What you are trying to do is not unusual in the zouk world - for instance Fylde's Touchstone bouzouki is trying to achieve the same thing:
http://www.fyldeguitars.com/bouzoukis.html
# Posted on February 19th 2009 by Barry Pearce
Re: zouk player input wanted
What I know about wood, I know from a guitar player's perspective. How that transfers to a bouzouki, I can't really be sure. But talking to the luthier was good advice. He seems to think the wood selection is fine for what I want to achieve. I even sent him a couple of mp3 files that demonstrate how I intend to use the zouk and he says he has a good idea of what I want now.
So now I wait... and wait... and wait. He thinks August sounds about right for delivery.
I hate the waiting.
# Posted on February 20th 2009 by JTC111
Re: zouk player input wanted
It'll all be worth it.
# Posted on February 20th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: zouk player input wanted
Of that, I'm certain. I've been wanting a zouk for about 10 years but there's always been a guitar that cut the line.
Come on August, get here already!!!
# Posted on February 21st 2009 by JTC111