JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Guitars and Guitarist Forum Really dumb guitar question

The paper label inside one of my old classical guitars fell out. I think the guitar sounds better? Am I just dreaming or can the label somehow affect the sound vibration or some other way? sounds crazy but it is a legit question even if a dumb one. I don't make guitars, just curious

Depends on where the paper label was attached.
Most sound vibration that affects what you hear is from the union of the strings/bridge/soundboard. But the typical location of the paper label is directly beneath the soundhole against the back of the body. That's so all of us that love the sound of the guitar can look in, see who made it and go buy one for ourselves. Marketing goes way back. The fact that it just fell off, tells me that the glue used to hold it has probably crystallized. This could be a sign to watch all the other glue joints, or it may mean nothing. Your instrument sounds like it's seasoning well. Lots of folks like the sound of instruments that are older.


If it's a solid wood instrument (most older instruments were), all wood vibrates, and anything preventing that would have a muting affect. So it could be possible that the paper label even on the back, had some affect.

Hope that helps.

Oh and being crazy is not such a bad thing. It has its perks.

I guess if one played spoons and the glass had a label stuck in it somehow, that would affect the sound.
The same theory would apply to the guitar.
I have a Martin Sigma with that sticker in it.
More like designed into it.
I would not want to wreck the authenticity by ripping it out.
And it sounds pretty nice as it is anyway.
I guess if it got in the way of the sound would depend on how thick the paper is.


But anything in the guitar I guess could get in the way of the sound.

Like... no way man, you've like...given up the need to like label yourself...and you found it's like...somehow the like Universe has come together and like...ya know...supported your uprise...and like...yeah. S'like way to go DanO, I know just what ya mean man...ya know what I mean?

All kidding aside, maybe your perception of the guitar has changed without the labelling staring back at you? A 'less-expensive' guitar always sounds much better with your eyes closed. I've had guys come up to me at shows and insist I'm modelling my sound from a rack unit, but alas, no, it's good strings, brass nut, Tusq bridge saddle, good tube pre, all this for an $80.00 Samick. (I do have others, but this one gets the most comments). So yeah, yer probably right!

I agree it could be nothing more than a perception thing. Just wanted to ask. I don't make guitars just play them and I was wondering if it is possible since it does seem better. But that could be nothing more than perception. You are right, a cheap guitar late a night when it is quiet and no distractions seems to sound better than during the day with everything going on around. I was curious if it was possible. Seems like it is but unlikely perhaps.

I dunno. I could see where the absence of a label could maybe make the sound better.

If *you* think so, leave it out. (Save it, though, just in case you need it later.) And play the guitar without the label. It's not like you're really missing part of the guitar.

Joe

A loose label might give you that nice kazoo sound.

You mean, make it sound like a Gibson? Weren't they made in Somethingkazoo?<g>

Joe

Well, I think if your guitar is asking questions, it can't really be that dumb.

Jack, if the guitar wasn't dumb (both senses), it could have asked the question itself. As it was, it apparently needed help.

Joe