Same with drums. The old Gretsch, Ludwig, Slingerland were three ply shells and 9 ply rims. That made a nice tone with good resonance. Now all the hot-shots have these straight 9 ply shells of birch and composite woods that sound like big thuds when you play them. The reason why maybe the music is all one dimensional now. Absolutely no subtlety. I always liked the sound of the big Gibson Dreadnoughts. And Gretsch Electric Guitars. Or maybe a nice 1956 Tele.