Sustain and age

[limnephilidae]

I realize that there are a few factors in note decay, but I was curious if sustain generally increased over time as new guitars get worked in?

I ask because the tone on my Martin D-18 is starting to open up just a little bit (it's only like 2 weeks old) as I play it everyday but the sustain has not noticeably increased. The intonation is great and the strings are relatively new (factory unless Jim put new ones on). I had assumed it was because the top and braces were still a little tight.

I realize I should just give it time but I was wondering if anyone has any advice to give.

Thanks,

Adam

[ducktrapper]

Opening up, to me, always includes more sustain and volume. Louder is better. However, as the guitar ages so do our ears. At what point, should we expect any gain in increased sustain or volume to be accompanied by an equal loss in hearing ability?     

[bhika]

"Sustain and Age"

That sounds like too personal of a question/topic for this forum.   

[markyboy]

"Sustain and Age"

That sounds like too personal of a question/topic for this forum.   

If you experience sustain for more than four hours.. See your doctor local guitar shop..

[ducktrapper]

 

[jeremy3220]

That's a good question. I don't know the answer but sustain seems to be mainly influenced be mass and where it's located. This is why denser back and side woods like rosewoods add more sustain to a guitar than if it had something like mahogany. As the guitar ages you aren't adding mass. If opening up results in the soundboard or back vibrating more then perhaps that would increase the sustain but I think it would depend on why the soundboard is vibrating more.

[Queequeg]

 
2 weeks, huh?
patience is a vitue.
think not about this guitar opening up.
enjoy it for the music it produces today, as if it will never get any better. (since, in large measure, there is little beyond playing it that you can do to influence this.)
On the other hand, playing more will make a decided improvement in your playing skill.

here, have  donut. 
all the best,
-Q.

[BluesMan1]

Jeremy- I had read somewhere that the stiffer the soundboard, a softer wood, like mahogany, should be used (a little off the  subject maybe). Thus, cedar/rosewood on many classical guitars. Do you have any input into this ? I feel like I don't have to call my tech guy anymore, just ask you.
Being serious, what does that super-wolfman represent that's on your posts ? It's cool, but I've never seen it before.
Jeff   

[jeremy3220]

That's bogus, Adi and mahogany make a fantastic combination.

The little dude in my sig is Brak. I'm not sure he represents anything.

[tadol]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brak_(character)

For the younger crowd -

Tad

[strawintogold]

I know I seem to go on longer as I get older.  I'd prefer to think it's because I have more important things to say then when I was young.  Instead, it's usually because there's no one listening except the dogs and as far as they are concerned it's all fascinating.

holly

[hadden]

My Grandad would often go on and on and on about this and that. I just kept smiling and nodding.