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Apologies in advance for one of those topics where the answer will certainly be, "it depends" or too many variables. Regardless, I'm going to ask anyway....

Just built a 000 Pau Ferro - Sitka combo that has turned out pretty well, with two exceptions:

At this point (expect the sound to continue to evolve quite a bit, since it's only been strung up for about a week) the bass is quite full, and the mids are also quite nice, but the trebles (namely e string and b string) are quite thin and metallic.

Also, in general, strumming chords produces a sound which is quite "contained" although quite loud. The best way I can explain this is that the sound is perceived to be "in the box" - when I compare it to another guitar that I play (unfair comparison, I know - different woods mahogany, different size, Dread and 7 years old...) But, the sound is quite "forward" on the other - sound is perceived as outside the box.

So, notwithstanding the unscientific comparison, what have you found about variations in construction which affect or improve those characteristics? Thanks.

A shallower box or a larger soundhole are 2 of the first things I would consider.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

You might want to check out this thread if you haven't seen it: http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=25425

Does "enveloping" describe what you're hearing?

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Evan McCartney

Thanks, Evan. I now remember seeing this thread - that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.....

Enveloping vs. projecting...... well, as the player, I do think that enveloping is the type of experience I'm referring to with the other guitar (okay, it's an old Taylor 110 in mahogany). The new one that I built - 000 Pau Ferro - not sure if it's projecting - I guess what I need to do is have a third party (read: my wife or kids) listen while I play both - and stand 10 feet away, 20 feet away, and give me their observations. Tough to tell whether it's projecting or not, when I'm playing it.

I'll keep you posted.

Corky

Got it. I wonder if there are other variables which come into play as well. The Dread that I'm comparing it to is actually deeper. Soundholes are equivalent.

One thought - may be overbuilt - with back and sides too massive. What do you suppose that effect would be?

Todd -

Thanks - I think I go through this anxiety every time after I finish a guitar. I know that it will change a lot over a month, two months, three.... and they never seem to get worse, only better. That's good advice. I wont do anything at all to it for a long while.....And now I'm going to start step away from the computer and start playing the snot out of it