Black guitars, why do they sound "better"

Chris Erbacher · Post by **Chris Erbacher** » 22 May 2009 11:48 am

hey, i was recently talking about all the joking around about how black guitars sound better on this forum, and wondering about how that came about...seems that someone did a study sometime somewhere and i just want the details because we were contemplating how that conclusion came about...so feel free to chime in with the details if you know any...

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 22 May 2009 12:22 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMEqKbrwA3g

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 22 May 2009 12:30 pm

Nick

that was great but i'll bet you sound just as good playing the green one haha

Ray McCarthy · Post by **Ray McCarthy** » 22 May 2009 1:02 pm

Could be the black thumb pick!

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 22 May 2009 1:20 pm

Hey, Nick,

Nice playing. Very nice. Yep, gotta love those black Emmons.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 22 May 2009 1:32 pm

It has to do with the "color spectrum".

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 22 May 2009 2:00 pm

I think it's nonsense to believe a black guitar sounds better than any other color. However, most amps are black because the acoustic engineers have proven that to be the superior color in combination with the electronics of an amp. That's also why record albums are black. It has to do with the molecular structure of the polymer chains in the black plastic, and their response to audio frequences, and the RF given off by active electronic devices.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 22 May 2009 2:08 pm

In truth, a black guitar always sounds better to the player because there is less visual distraction. He is better able to hear the tone. And since the steel guitarist who hears better plays better, the effect of a better sounding black guitar is communicated to the listening audience.

Music is psychological. Black guitars always sound best. Believe it!

Joshua Grange · Post by **Joshua Grange** » 22 May 2009 2:12 pm

Typically the black veneer tended to be the thickest, by over 3/32", compared to the stock mica veneer.
Also for some reason, as I have read on here before, the type of glue required to make the black veneer stick was a different kind of glue then that normally used. It made a stronger bond to the wood resulting in a "deeper" tone.
These reasons make it by FAR the best sounding of all colors, although as everyone knows Lake Placid Blue has a sweeter top end because of its thinness.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 22 May 2009 2:37 pm

so does all this mean that this one will sound "kinda" better since its not black,

but kinda black haha

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 22 May 2009 3:03 pm

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 22 May 2009 3:05 pm

The electric Hawaiian Richenbacker steel guitar being of BLACK BAKELITE is evidence of that SUPERIOR sound!!! Until you've played one, you might very well be mystified about that which we all knowing..... speaketh.

The chrome plates are merely to limit the total amount of GREAT SOUND being produced, nothing more. Too much of anything is not good.

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 22 May 2009 3:16 pm

What are you people from outer space,can you hear and small colors? Thats what I get for not having a gig this weekend,I have time to read the forum

Joe

www.willowcreekband.com

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JACK HEERN · Post by **JACK HEERN** » 22 May 2009 3:47 pm

The (BLADE) wasn't black. I guess that's the reason Buddy sounds so shabby when he plays it. As bad as the "blade" sounds it was still listenable

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 22 May 2009 3:49 pm

Turn out the lights and play. Black mica , in my opinion, tends to have less distractions. I like the black along with different shades of blue. I can get in a comfort zone with either. I still think it's what sitting behind the guitar that makes the difference though.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 22 May 2009 3:52 pm

I painted my 1949 Bigsby a deep, rich black with 6 coats of oil-based enamel. I think it improved the sound, as well as looking more like my Emmons.

Matt Elsen · Post by **Matt Elsen** » 22 May 2009 3:55 pm

Can you imagine how amazing "The Blade" would have sounded if it had been black????? Woa!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 22 May 2009 3:57 pm

i can't believe anyone would care or be gullible enough to start this thread. jmho

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 22 May 2009 4:07 pm

C'mon Chris...
We've all heard the stories of you and that rattle can...
You Zum has never been the same!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 22 May 2009 4:10 pm

b0b wrote:In truth, a black guitar always sounds better to the player because there is less visual distraction. He is better able to hear the tone. And since the steel guitarist who hears better plays better, the effect of a better sounding black guitar is communicated to the listening audience....

Then maybe we should play blindfolded, or with the lights out. No visual distraction then.

Brian Kurlychek · Post by **Brian Kurlychek** » 22 May 2009 4:25 pm

I think it is like anything else in life:

What looks better, tastes better, sounds better, feels better, drives better etc.

Why does your car drive better after you wash it? Same principle.

Black is a popular color and thus looks better so it sounds better

That is my theory. Feel free to shoot holes in it....

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 22 May 2009 6:11 pm

Believe it................or not.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 22 May 2009 6:45 pm

Simple,guys.Black steels contain "dark matter",which due to quantum-flux continuum wavicle quark distribution prevents the player from making mistakes.

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 22 May 2009 7:00 pm

Psycho-acoustic, or Psycho acoustic?

Roses are red, violets are blue,
I'm schizophonic...and so am I.

Tom Sosbe · Post by **Tom Sosbe** » 22 May 2009 7:03 pm

they don't.their butt ugly

The Steel Guitar Forum

Black guitars, why do they sound "better"

Black guitars, why do they sound "better"

This factor does not apply strictly to pedal steels.........

psg

blackula