Apologizing in advance for no specific Alembic content.
About five years ago I acquired a pre-owned Collings SoCo Deluxe 6-string electric guitar. It is a semi-hollow instrument with a carved quilted maple top with f-holes and carved mahogany back & sides - basically, the mahogany is hogged out to create a bowl and the maple top is then fitted over it like a cover. It also has a slotted alder sustain block that cradles the neck inside the body.
This guitar sounded pretty good when I originally acquired it and, over the years, I've used it for a few gigs and rehearsals when a 335-style guitar has been required. I've always been pleased with it's performance, but I've never been knocked out enough to use it as regularly as some of my other guitars. As such, it has spent the majority of it's time resting in its case - although I do visit it periodically just to make sure that everything remains in working order.
Last week, since it had been about 6 months since my last visit, I decided to use it for one of my private practice sessions just to check up on it's status. To say that I was completely overwhelmed by its performance is an understatement.
The resonance and sustain have both increased exponentially. Chords and single lines seem to be grabbed and held - almost like the affect of a compressor - if that makes any sense. In addition, the detail of each note and the sound of the strings has also improved even though the strings are several years old.
I have no explanation for this dramatic improvement other than the wood has changed or has finally settled in and become comfortable with being a guitar.
Anyone else have a similar experience with a good instrument that suddenly and mysteriously became great?
