[Kraco]

I'm getting ready to buy my first acoustic guitar and was curious if it would make a difference with someone like myself that sings bass/baritone, to get a guitar like a (Gibson) that has the deeper tones, or would a guitar like a (Martin) or (Taylor) compliment that type of voice better? Maybe it wouldn't even matter, just not sure.

I'm leaning toward the (Gibson) because both my Grandfather and my Dad played one and I loved the sound. But neither of them had a low singing voice, so I'm just curious if anyone thinks it would really matter that much?

My local guitar shop doesn't carry any of these brands so I might have to take a 3 hour drive before I can hear the difference first hand. This is the only time it really sucks living in the country. Thanks!

[allthumbs]

It would be worth the drive to check them out.

[cshude]

I would worry more about the sound that you want and the way the guitar feels in your hands. You're always able to adjust eq levels during mixing or live performances to adjust for things as well.

[eddiez152]

Kraco,
They make barritone guitars, but the finger strech may kill ya, unless your using a capo
after the third fret.

[JessThrasher]

Do what I always do when you can't play in the same key as the singer: Capo time!

[eddiez152]

Kraco,
Gibson's are great for low tone sound. I think you need to do some sound checking on different body styles. You can find some sound clips on the net.
My deepest sound guitar is a Lowden 032c. I really like my Taylor GS a lot and have a Gibson which I like too.
A Baby Taylor is also a great choice. But get out there and try some. There will be many opions on this subject but I gave you mine. As they say the sound judge is you.
Take a friend along for extra opinoins if you like.

[Kraco]

Thanks everyone!

I'll be making a trip down below next week and I sure hope they have a better selection of guitars then they do around here. Anyone live in Northern Michigan know of any stores with a good selection? I'm in the Alpena/Oscoda area and so far pic-kin's have been slim.

Thanks again, I appreciate all the input!

[Chris C]

Originally Posted by Kraco

I'm getting ready to buy my first acoustic guitar and was curious if it would make a difference with someone like myself that sings bass/baritone, to get a guitar like a (Gibson) that has the deeper tones, or would a guitar like a (Martin) or (Taylor) compliment that type of voice better? Maybe it wouldn't even matter, just not sure.

Hi,

That's quite an intriguing question, but I'd say that it would come down to personal preference.

Whatever regular guitar you buy will still be tuned to the same pitches, regardless of sound quality or tone (Unless you buy a baritone guitar as Eddiez says, but they're made differently and are much rarer than a standard model). The guitar spans close to four octaves, so I guess that we're often likely to be harmonising rather than actually always matching the pitch exactly (apologies if my terminology is not quite right there, but I expect you can tell what I'm trying to say).

When you first try and 'sing' and play (or in my case make strange strangled noises... ) it can take a bit of experimenting to find out just what your vocal range is and what key best suits your strengths and weaknesses, for a particular song. But I've never read any details about particular guitars working best with certain voice ranges. It does seem reasonable that some blends might sound better than others (as with playing any two instruments together), but I'd say that it would probably be a listener by listener preference.

Good luck with the search (and in the meantime, could I borrow your voice please?? )

Cheers,

Chris

[Kraco]

Chris,

It wasn't until I read your post that I understood what a few of the others were saying. I must have worded my question wrong, been known to do that.

I'm not trying to change the pitch or the range of my voice. I'm just talking about the difference in sounds(tones) some guitars have over others. I grew up around Gibson guitars and they have a different sound, I'm having a mental block and can't think of the word I'm looking for, but it's like more mellow or richer sounding. Other guitars like Martins and Taylors have more of a higher tinny sound, and I don't mean that in a bad way either, because I love the sounds from both of these, there just different. At least the few that I've heard, anyway.

Hope that makes it a little clearer, this is why I don't post much, every time I do I sound like an air-head. lol

Thanks again!

[Hilch]

All I can say is try them ...

It is a very good point you raised with different tones in guitars , but try them if you don't like them ..don't buy them I suppose ..

And one little other thing : NO such thing as Dumb question ...Only dummies won't ask !

Cheers

Trev...

[allthumbs]

You need to consider the tone wood used as well as the gauge of the strings you use. They both effect the tones produced by a guitar.

[eddiez152]

allthumbs is right, heavy strings = big tones. Don't forget tuning down to D as a possibilty also. And check out a barritone guitar.

[eddiez152]

Kraco,
Check this post out for a really low tone sound.

Sweet Duo - Original

Then check out this link too for guitar tones.

http://www.graceworksmusic.com/Tonewoods_Quiz.htm

Hope this gives you some ideas. Then look at the tone wood and body style that produces the sound your looking for. Then look for a guitar that has the combination. Brand name not your focus.

[Chris C]

Hi again,

I think that most of us know what you mean, but it's just a very difficult question to answer. I'm assuming that you're asking if there are any particular guitars that will be an obviously better match for the tonal qualities of your voice. For instance, some guitars have a better 'bottom end' - so would this be a better match for a voice that specialises in the 'bottom end'?? Or would an instrument with warmer more mellower tones be a better fit for a voice that had similar qualities??

But I still think that there's not an obviously right answer, and that you have to try them out and make your own subjective assessment. Would it be better to have a guitar that compliments your voice by having similar strengths and qualities? Or would it give you more possibilities if it actually had quite different strengths and qualities and could give a more pleasing effect because of how you can use the contrasts?

I'm absolutely not an expert of any kind - either with guitar or voice - but there doesn't seem to be any subsitute for trying things out and seeing what works for each individual. It's anybody's guess what 'your sound' will turn out to be, out of the zillions of possibilities and combinations. I guess that's sometimes exciting and sometimes frustrating. Great excuse to keep buying more guitars though...

Cheers,

Chris

[tonedeaf]

My two cents on this would not be about the tone or sound but if you can try it out for a month or so and if you don't like the guitar you can exchange it for different one. It would be nice to have that option.