Add more bass to a guitar?

[Fineblend]

If your acoustic is not projecting the bass loud enough over the other strings (or played in single note runs for that matter) what is the best way to remedy the problem without the obvious of going to a 56 or heavier string if one is comfortable on a medium, medium lite set? 80/20's, steel and silk, roundwound? Thanks!

[David Collins]

Get a different guitar. Hate to say it, but that's about it. Probably 90% of the potential of sound from an acoustic instrument is in how the box is constructed. You might be able to coax out a small improvements with little tweaks here and there, but especially regarding low end response there just isn't that much you can do in parts or string changes or minor after-market mods that are going to significantly improve the bass response.

It may help to know what instrument this is exactly, but even knowing this I wouldn't expect any silver bullets to easily improve bass response.

[lamenlovinit]

You mean at home or performing? Using a mic you can definitely do this by mic positioning. Combined with EQ you can do anything.

[Fineblend]

^ Good point, at home, performing in front of a few people, I'm only just asking to have as a handy remedy, so maybe its not as simple as putting different strings on, which was my main idea. Oh well, thanks though!

[lamenlovinit]

^ Good point, at home, performing in front of a few people, I'm only just asking to have as a handy remedy, so maybe its not as simple as putting different strings on, which was my main idea. Oh well, thanks though!

Well, your bass is your bass, but you can try to find strings that are more mellow. De-emphasis what you have in abundance, thus making the bass appear to loom larger. Also picking location. Both towards the headstock for a round sound, and although it's counterintuitive, closer to the bridge for a more "cutting" sound. What works where in your arrangements is up to your taste and goals.

When using fingerpicks, which I do 70% of the time, a trick I learned seeing Bob Brozman perform is to pluck the low string up the neck with a bare finger. Fatter rounder tone compared to the rest of the arrangement.

Lots of things to try in terms of how you play it. None of us will ever come close to mastering one of these things. But it sure is fun to try!:aok

[musicofanatic5]

Sit facing a corner like Robt Johnson. Touch the end of the headstock to the wall.

[jackaroo]

What type of guitar is it?

[73171]

When using fingerpicks, which I do 70% of the time, a trick I learned seeing Bob Brozman perform is to pluck the low string up the neck with a bare finger. Fatter rounder tone compared to the rest of the arrangement.
:agree


...also...try using a flatwound low E string and pluck it with your thumb, and not too close to the bridge. This produces a softer sound. If you are flatpicking, try using a felt autoharp pick.

[LSchefman]

A steel and silk set isn't the best at producing the lower tones with authority. I've always found them too genteel.

You might have to try a different set of strings. Try something in the same guage, only phosphor bronze, etc. It might take some getting used to, but you'll get more authoritative bass.

[Rob Sharer]

Mellower strings will only produce less of certain high-end frequencies, not more bass. Bass is either there or it's not.


Rob

[drive-south]

If you are using sink-n-steel I'd get rid of them right off the bat. SnS strings have very low tension. They are fine on old instruments with no truss rod, or otherwise very lightly-built (fragile) guitars.

Any bronze-wound strings you put on the guitar will provide fatter bass.
If you want to maximize the bass, restring with medium-gauge phosphor bronze strings. Just make sure the guitar can withstand the heavier gauge strings. Bright bronze will have a crisp sound compared to PB.
Experiment with various bronze strings and you will most likely find a brand/style/gauge that you like.

drive-south

[LSchefman]

>>Mellower strings will only produce less of certain high-end frequencies, not more bass. Bass is either there or it's not.<<

Actually, one of the things we do in the studio to make the bass notes stand out on an electric bass is goose around 700 HZ, which brings out the attack of the note and helps define it for the ear. Obviously, this isn't the fundamental tone, it's an overtone.

However, the strings, and even the pick, can add considerable definition to the sound of the low end of a guitar. The listener perceives this as bass with increased clarity.

After 22 years recording various instruments in the studio, my experience has proven this, at least to me. I think you're overlooking the importance of the attack portion of the waveform, and strings definitely affect this.

In fact, this is why for years lots of recordings had the bass doubled with a regular electric guitar, it helped the bass stand out.

The perception of the waveform's attack, in turn, affects how one perceives bass. Mellow strings tend to sound mellow top to bottom in comparison to brighter strings.

[jackaroo]

Scallop the braces if you need more bottom as long as it's not a vintage piece and is a keeper...