Understanding Guitars: Voicing, Tuning, and Resonance

When dealing with acoustic guitars, particularly when a salesperson mentions terms like 'voicing,' 'tuning,' or 'resonance,' it can be beneficial to understand what these terms mean and how they affect the guitar's performance. This article breaks down these concepts to help buyers make informed decisions.

Voicing: The Art of Enhancing Tone

In the world of acoustic guitars, voicing refers to the process of adjusting the guitar's top to enhance its tone and responsiveness. While some luthiers might use this term loosely, it fundamentally involves structuring the struts under the guitar’s top to improve the response and frequency balance.

This process typically involves listening to and adjusting the top during the construction process. Some luthiers might take a finished guitar and modify it, intentionally reducing some stiffness to improve sound quality. This is because factory-made guitars often follow a formula, and adjustments can often enhance the voice of the instrument.

Tuning and Beyond

Tuning, on the other hand, refers to the procedure of setting the top of the guitar to a specific pitch by carving it to the desired resonance. This is a different concept from voicing and involves a specific procedure where the luthier listens to and makes adjustments accordingly.

One term that might be new to you is profiling the struts under the top to improve the response and frequency balance. This is a laudable goal and is an essential part of the luthier’s work. The struts under the top can be shaped to enhance the guitar’s overall sound and playability.

Setting the Intonation and Harmonics (Voicing in Violin Families)

The term voicing when applied to acoustic guitars can be a bit confusing, as it often borrows terminology from the violin family. In the context of violins and their derivatives, voicing involves setting up the intonation and harmonics to ensure that the "voice" of the instrument remains in tune from the nut to the bridge.

For acoustic guitars, voicing typically involves more than just setting the intonation. It involves a series of steps where the luthier shapes the guitar's top and back, constantly taps them to assess the ringing quality, and adjusts the braces until the top has a lively sound. This process is more organic and involves a personal connection between the luthier and the instrument, rather than following exact design specifications.

The Process of Voicing

The process of voicing an acoustic guitar often starts with selecting the right body design for the intended purpose. This could be for solo fingerstyle playing, Bluegrass ensemble work, classical guitar performance, small ensemble playing, or large stage use. The luthier then thicknesses the top according to the desired tonal needs, while preserving structural integrity and strength. The top is shaped and adjusted, and the braces are glued on while sometimes creating a radius in the top.

Once the guitar is assembled, it is often tested for its general voice, and the top may be removed and adjusted further if needed. The instrument is then reassembled, finished, and fitted with its final elements before being left to cure and harden for several weeks. This process ensures that the guitar is ready for the player and meets their specific needs.

The Role of Luthiers and Factory Instruments

While some luthiers voice guitars extensively, this process is less common in commercial guitar production. Factory guitars often have resonant frequency specifications that must be met, and some adjustments might be made during the manufacturing process to ensure these specifications.

The key is to try out the guitar and listen for the sound. A guitar should 'speak' to you and sound good. This is the primary test for whether the guitar is right for you, regardless of the claims made by the salesperson.

Conclusion

Understanding the terms like voicing, tuning, and resonance can help guitar buyers make more informed decisions. Whether you are shopping for a new acoustic guitar or considering modifications, it is always best to consult with a luthier and try out the guitar yourself to ensure it meets your needs.

Only by experiencing the instrument can you truly determine its voice and whether it resonates with you. After all, the ultimate judge of a guitar's quality is the player themselves.

Best wishes in your search for the perfect acoustic guitar!