New Taran Dreadnought

Martin,
Many thanks for posting this. Great to get some feed back. The Dread as you say is prototype, not that I scrimped on anything really. Sadly your recording don't work for me here, computers!

Interesting about the strings, they Elixir 13-56 nano PB so that might be where the metallic feel is coming from. I did do the bolt on neck for ease however the next one will be the standard dovetail.

Keith,
Good question, I'm happy with the guitar yes. I set out to build a dread that had good treble and a strong (not woofy) bass. I also wanted it to have good separation so that it could be flat picked and strummed. I think it does those things. The next one is Mahogany Adirondack, now that's exciting!!!

Thanks everyone.

All the best,



Rory

No need for all the disclaimers Martin!

High Days sounds great - would never have guessed there was a capo on quite that high. And, despite what you say, nicely played!

Blues run the game - always enjoy hearing you do this one, and again, it's a load better than you obviously think!

Dark Island - that "metallic" thing seems to surface again in places on this one for some reason...Probably just me!

Auld Lang Syne - enjoyed that - not metallic sounding this time - nice.

Wine Drinker - really liked the open strummy sound in the first half of this one especially.

Obviously a v interesting guitar Martin - you're v fortunate being able to explore it!

Thanks for persevering against the technical difficulties earlier in the week, and with the medium strings!

Keith

Thank you very much for listening and giving feedback, Keith! Above and beyond IMO

Anyway, it's interesting that you pinpoint the metallic-sound on the two DADGAD tunes, both at the 5th fret.

It could just be coincidence, and the fact that I play them with poor technique, but at the very least it will give Rory something to look at when he takes the guitar back tomorrow.

I think it sounds pretty good at the 6th fret as well, much nicer than expected at that position, and that has got to be a good sign.
I'm also impressed with its strummed tone - I wanted to do something without a capo and with chords, which is why I came up with the old Dean Martin number at short notice I really like its rich, shimmering quality.
I also like the way the strings combine to a cohesive wall of sound, rather than a jangly collection of notes which some guitars display when strummed.

I didn't anticipate just how the heavier strings would affect my playing, but it seems they have a fair impact.
I don't use a plectrum at all on guitar, and if I did I might have appreciated them more.

The guitar, although quite large and deep bodied, feels very comfortable to hold. It is maybe a little bigger than my Tirga Beag, and I can feel that in my right arm at times (I have wee arms!!).
The neck is a similar profile to my own and feels superb - substantial yet slim and smooth all the way along.

Thanks a million for listening to all of that Andrew, and of course for the super feedback!

If I get a chance tonight I'll do a recording at the 5th fret in standard, and hopefully you can tell me if it's a position-thing, technique thing or DADGAD thing that's making (any) difference.

Didn't know the song Martin, but enjoyed it. Didn't think the "metallic" thing that keeps bugging me was especially present at all there. Liked the guitar sound a lot, and despite fret 5 capo and "proper" tuning ( ) it still seemed resonant and sustaining - a good crisp and clear underpinning for your warm vocal. Well done for getting another one in!

Keith

Really enjoyed listening to them Martin. "High Days" is my favourite, your playing is top - you sound very much like Bert as well, many people would love to have your voice, we should hear more of it.

The guitar sounds stellar on all pieces - where's it going once Rory picks it up.

Jonny