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I just strung up my most recent, a OOO 13th fret Cocobolo and spruce top. The bass strings are quite muted. I sounds awful. The only differences I can think of is that the bridge was set back a bit further than I intended, string ball ends are about 1/2" from the back of the bridge plate (I took off more at the neck heel than I had intended too). The treble is not too bad. I thought it might be the nut as you fret up the fretboard on the lower stings they still sound muted (reminds me of the mexican mariachi bands)

Any ideas?

Thanks
Richard

Let it get all tensed up and then smoothed out (so to speak).
The wood just learned it's going to be a guitar, and it's trying to figure out how to do that.

I strung up a full-size bass fiddle once after an extensive neck repair that took months, and it was quieter than an electric guitar with no amp.

I let it sit 24 hours, and then gave it a thump - and it came booming to life!
So be patient...

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Are the strings reasonably fresh? Useful stats to know would be top thickness, bracing photo, bridge species, bridge weight, total top weight (including bracing and bridge).

My first thought with good treble and bad bass is that the top is too stiff and/or heavy. Most factory guitars sound this way to me now that I'm spoiled... like the low frequencies are "trapped inside the box".

But as the others have said, it may just need time. Although IME, the improvement is minor... good ones sound a little better after a week or two, bad ones sound a little less bad, but still not good.

With out seeing how the guitar is braced, I would check the saddle and saddle slot for good contact. Also, look at the break point of the string over the saddle....make sure it is not flat.

Chuck

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As others have said time makes a difference with all guitars,with the biggest change happening in a relatively short time.Play the crap out of it for a couple of weeks and if still not happy look at over bracing and extra weight. Pay close attention to how brace ends are thinned close to the linings,too thick there can really stiffen a top especially on the bottom X. If you can get your arm in the sound hole and reach the ends of the braces they can be thinned down. If using unscalloped braces and top is stiff,subtle scalloping combined with periods of enthused playing can show improvement. Go slow.
If you have a thick large belly bridge you can shed some weight by planeing the belly section thinner. Again, do a bit and try. Hope it works out for you.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Just a tought:
Make sure you did not forget anything inside: bridge gluing caul, rug, etc.

Well, I figured it out. After adjusting the saddle, changing the break angle and checking everything inside to make sure nothing came loose. IT WAS THE STRINGS! These were old stings I was using just to set the guitar up. I can't believe how bad a set of strings can sound

Thanks for all the suggestions

Richard