Actual "Dave's Guitar" question (gasp).

[BillyTripper41]

Hey All,
Does anyone know exactly how Dave gets the bass strings on his Taylor's to sound so... not bassy?... I realize Taylor's aren't very bassy guitars to begin with... but when listening to "Listener supported" that Martin he's playing is kind of the same way... didn't know if anyone knew of anything... Thanks crew.

[taylordb]

I believe he uses a Fishman Natural II Pickup, which tones down the bass more.....that coupled with the fact that Taylor's are more bright (less bassy) to begin with.

[GreyBlueAnt]

and don't forget the monstrosity of a soundboard that his guitar goes through.

[dmfollower]

Also, dave usually strums his notes closer to the saddle which also gives it a "less bassy" tone.

[DJR]

Also, dave usually strums his notes closer to the saddle which also gives it a "less bassy" tone.

if anything i'd say that increases a bassy tone - i love playin by the saddle for that reason

[DmbFanJason]

Also, dave usually strums his notes closer to the saddle which also gives it a "less bassy" tone.

if anything i'd say that increases a bassy tone - i love playin by the saddle for that reason

I have to disagree...Yea get a less bassy sound IMO, more crispy though. Dave strums too close to the saddle it seems to me. I always break string when I strum that close.

[Brock]

Also, dave usually strums his notes closer to the saddle which also gives it a "less bassy" tone.

if anything i'd say that increases a bassy tone - i love playin by the saddle for that reason

I have to disagree...Yea get a less bassy sound IMO, more crispy though. Dave strums too close to the saddle it seems to me. I always break string when I strum that close.

I get a *less bassy sound when strumming close to the saddle too.

[DT]

agreed, the higher up i play the bassier it gets, playing by the saddle gives a crisp, twangy sound... daves guitar sound is undoubtedly due to the unbelievable amount of effects put into it, starting with the fact that its a top of the line guitar with a top of the line pickup

[Dancing Ants]

Also, dave usually strums his notes closer to the saddle which also gives it a "less bassy" tone.

if anything i'd say that increases a bassy tone - i love playin by the saddle for that reason

on mine it makes it ALOT less bass-y.

[pjsim15]

i heard they adjust everything to the place there playing in, they try to maintain a even level on the eq

[Davy28]

He also uses a feedback buster. You know that thingy that covers his sound hole? It combats the normal feedback you get with an electric acoustic. It allows the bass strings to not overwhelm the treble strings and allows the treble strings to cut through.

[dmfollower]

Also, dave usually strums his notes closer to the saddle which also gives it a "less bassy" tone.

look, i'm quoting myself
i ment that it kills the presense of the tone, makes it sound quieter(sp).
i don't think it matters what kind of guitar you use, struming away/before the sound hole will give you a shorter/quicker tone.

[wakeboarderal05]

I love the way Dave plays down there, and it actually got me into the habit of doing it. It just sounds so much more acoustic than playing up higher. It is not right for every song, though. And I have never broken a string from playing down there...but then again I make sure to change my strings pretty regularly

[Dave45]

I am sure they do most of it via the soundboard, but I also believe he plays with 10s. My Taylor definately has some pronounced bass (I use 12s and 13s on my Dreadnaught) but I like it. I'm sure you'd get less Bass with 10s.