Boomy Acoustic Guitar???

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BlueTurtle

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Ok, this is just out of PURE curiosity. If I had an acoustic guitar that was just too boomy, humor me, would putting spongy foam inside it help or what, I mean, even if the alleged boomy guitar was just, say, ooooooh, Hypothetical and I just wanted to know what it would sound like if I crammed some foam down into the sound hole of my guitar. Or what about covering the soundhole with a piece of posterboard that has been punched full of holes. Just wonderin' ........
 
Accidental double posting!!!!

I don't know how this happened, but this 2nd thread can be deleted. Sorry for the mishap, my comp didnt freeze but it did take a long time to submit at which time I did NOT click the submit a second time. Anyway, if a moderator sees this, I hope it can be deleted without too much trouble. Thanks!!! :cool:
 
Doing those things will seriously affect the tone of your guitar. I don't think it will do so much to help the "boomy" sound. When do you notice it? When you record or just in general when you play. If it's during recording, then it's probably your set up that is causing the problem. You may have the mic too close to the sound hole. Generally, you should point the mic at an angle near the 12th fret, not into the sound hole. Hope this helps!
 
If your guitar is boomy try different mic placement. also lower frequency somewhere around 120hz with a narrow q until you find the boom spot.
 
Since you don't provide much info on your mic'ing techique, choose of mic etc. it's hard to contribute much. However, I think it is safe to say that stuffing foam in your sound hole is not the answer.

Often, having the mic pointed too much at the sound hole (or too close) can result in a "muddy sound".

The most logical place to start with mic placement is with the mic positioned
in front of the sound hole (give or take) but with the mic pointed at the 12th fret of the guitar (pointing the mic away from the sound hole reduced the "low end".

Naturally, your choice of mic makes a difference. Most people prefer a small diaphram condensor, but with the right conditions a good sound can be captured wih a rather basic dymanic mic.

The room sound also plays in to the recordd sound - if the room is "boomy" this will effect the sound that reaches the mic.

Consider all those factors before you choose to bastardize your guitar.
 
Don't try to control boom by messing with the guitar. Mic selection and placement is the key. Start with the best condenser you have. If you have choices, choose a fairly bright mic. If the mic or pramp have bass cut, it will probably help. Place the mic close to the guitar, pointed at the 12th fret. Then move the mic up and down the neck. As you move toward the headstock, the sound will get brighter. Toward the body, darker, more boomy.
You can also add a second mic over the right shoulder of the guitarist, pointed parallel to the top of the guitar, across the bridge. If the guitarist is a noisy breather, that may become a problem. Then start with the 12th fret mic, and mix in the second mic until you like what you hear. Good luck.Richie
 
Duh @ me!!!

Whoops, sorry, I left out some key points of info. A) Mic = Shure SM57, always been a great mic for getting the sound I want. B) I usually place it a few different spots, one being at about the 15th fret, usually 1/2 way between the sound hole and the 12th fret, hence, the 15th fret. I only have 1 mic at this time, the Shure mentioned above. C) I usually record in my living room, just a normal living room, carpeted with a sofa, normal living room layout. BUT, I have always wanted to try recording acoustic guitar tracks in the bathroom, I do like the way it sounds playing in there. Now, maybe that's a bit more help in describing my situation. Thanks all!!! :cool:
 
Putting foam inside the guitar will most likely just kill your high end, maybe the boom a little. If you don't like the sound of your guitar acoustically, I suppose it's worth a shot.
BUT
If it's the sound you get on tape that you don't like, try moving the mic further up the neck, away from the body. I personally like to place the mic around the 9-10th fret, about a foot away and pointed at an angle at the 12th fret.
 
Another good spot is over your right shoulder, about level with your ear and even with the bridge on the guitar. That way the mic is picking up what your ears hear. About the bathroom idea, the tile in the bathroom tends to displace the sound radically, so you will have all kinds of problems with getting a good sound in there. But give it a shot. U2 recorded in an empty house to get the acoustics in there, and used every room in the house including the bathroom. Granted they were using high-end stuff to record with, and A LOT of mics....
 
I'd sujest pointing your mike at about the 14th fret area.. also if you can borrow one a small diaphram condenser might be what the doctor ordered.... though 57 can be great at times too.

apart from that...cut some lows with an eq, try a different pick, try different strings and.... don't forget your room! grab your cd player and crank your favourite cd in there.... does it sound boomy? if so thats where you've gotta start
 
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