The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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

Could be the black thumb pick!

Hey, Nick,

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

It has to do with the "color spectrum".

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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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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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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....

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

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

Psycho-acoustic, or Psycho acoustic?

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

they don't.their butt ugly