Regarding bass response, the guitar itself of course is the major factor. But I think the tuning comes next.
For instance, there's a big difference between open D and open G...I can see where somebody wouldn't notice much difference removing screens if their tuning was open G. And then comes strings and gauges...as an example for open D tuning, as I learned from brother Pete Grant, a great bass and solid punch is had with a 6th string of .068 and often .070. I am talking rock and blues, probably wouldn't want that for blue grass though. Generally speaking I think most guitars out there are under strung...but I'm off topic...sorry.
The Gretsch resophonic guitar discussion is over here. Please post there for more discussion about the Gretsch line of resophonic guitars, and continue to post here about the Guild line of resophonic guitars.
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Postby Mark Eaton »
Be it Guild or Gretsch, the .068 or .070 for the 6th string in Open D is to give it more tension, don't you think, as opposed to necessarily making it "bassier?"
Jerry Douglas has said that when he plays in Open D, he's okay with a standard .056 like one uses in G tuning even though it feels "flabby" when you pick it.
Brad...I was referring to Mark's post and link to the Gretsch-of-China 'Boxcar'...sorry.
Mark...Well Jerry knows more about it than me so he's probably right regarding tension. Guess one would have to get some sort of audio scope measurement to really know what's going on. That might be fun cause I'd like to know about the sound hole shapes and screens variations. So much of folks opinions, including mine, are completely subjective.
But it's all fun.
