Questions About Guitar Tops

[William2]

I was watching a new video by Alamo Music. They have just started carrying the Bourgeois Touchstone line. They talked about the tops being torrefied and tap tuned. I subsequently rad some opinions on AGF about Bourgeois Touchstone which varied. Some didn't like the True Tone finish they have compared to a nitro finish. Does a torrefied top sound better than a non-torrefied top? Do you generally get a more responsive instrument with tap tuning? And does a nitro finish yield a better sounding instrument? I recently saw a comparison video of a Taylor Gold label against a Martin D-18. Thinking the Taylor would outdo the Martin with its extra deep body and torrefied top, I was really surprised that the Martin easily out did the Taylor to my ears. That ended my Gold Label fever. Is it maybe just finding the right guitar?

[BlueBowman]

Is it maybe just finding the right guitar?

Yes, it's always about finding the right guitar, especially with large factory-built guitars. People don't like to hear that, but it's true.

I wouldn't give up on the Gold Label series just yet. I've played a couple that I thought had something to offer. Finding a large group to play could be the ticket to a nice sounding guitar.

[B0WIE]

Though I haven't played one in person, I can clearly hear in sound samples (like Eddie's Guitars livestreams) that Touchstones are not on the same level as Bourgeois in terms of richness and the quality of the overtones. Considering how they're supposedly made in the same way, the difference was shocking to me.

 Tuning a top can absolutely make a difference in my experience because it compensates for the variability in wood. But, the quality of the result can vary. For the cost of a new Touchstone, you can get a used Bourgeois or, even better, a Santa Cruz. An SCGC is a shining example of how harmonious a top can resonate when tuned well. The nodes are complimenting each other and the things just sings.

Regarding nitro sounding better, no. Think of the finish as adding extra thickness to the top. No finish will resonate like wood but the builder can alter the top thickness and bracing to work with whatever finish they plan to use. It's all about planning for the end result. Nitro has a sort of soft, comforting look to it but I think the tonal benefits are overblown. When it shrinks over decades, sure. But, I don't recommend anyone buy a guitar for hours it'll sound in 40 years.

[William2]

Though I haven't played one in person, I can clearly hear in sound samples (like Eddie's Guitars livestreams) that Touchstones are not on the same level as Bourgeois in terms of richness and the quality of the overtones. Considering how they're supposedly made in the same way, the difference was shocking to me.

 Tuning a top can absolutely make a difference in my experience because it compensates for the variability in wood. But, the quality of the result can vary. For the cost of a new Touchstone, you can get a used Bourgeois or, even better, a Santa Cruz. An SCGC is a shining example of how harmonious a top can resonate when tuned well. The nodes are complimenting each other and the things just sings.

Regarding nitro sounding better, no. Think of the finish as adding extra thickness to the top. No finish will resonate like wood but the builder can alter the top thickness and bracing to work with whatever finish they plan to use. It's all about planning for the end result. Nitro has a sort of soft, comforting look to it but I think the tonal benefits are overblown. When it shrinks over decades, sure. But, I don't recommend anyone buy a guitar for hours it'll sound in 40 years.

Thanks for this response, BOWIE. I have often wondered about gloss finishes as I have been a satin man myself but I'm beginning to appreciate a gloss finished instrument. I periodically read on AGF posts how people prefer the nitro finish for sound when comparing it to True Tone finish on Eastman guitars. And regarding the Bourgeois Touchstone instruments, I looked them up on AGF and someone commented on when considering a Touchtone instrument "run don't walk away" considering their resale value. Maybe a used Bourgeois or Santa Cruz would be the way to go. I wonder why companies like Martin don't offer toned tops and yet they can produce a good instrument. I do like the looks of my torrefied Adi top on my new Eastman E-20DL. But I don't have a comparison instrument that is non-torrefied to see if there is much tonal difference. My dealer thinks there is a bit more snap to the sound with torrefaction. I'm sorry I sold that Eastman E-10DL last year which was non-torrefied. And I wonder if terms like old growth Alaskan spruce really matter in terms of sound. I mentioned several weeks ago I was uncertain if the new Eastman would be a keeper. I've decided it will be. For my classical repertoire it offers so much more dynamic response and sustain. I think for things like jazz standards any guitar will do. But I find I'm increasingly playing more classical pieces. I just like they're structure and I find I have more interpretive possibilities on this Adi topped guitar.