Official Luthiers Forum!

I am thinking of doing a soundport in the side of my next OM and was wondering if some of you that have already done this would post some pics.

I promise not to steal your exact design,,,,unless I really like it.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

If I recall correctly, David Bland had a nice side port added to a guitar via his ceiling fan? Dave?

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Take a peek at Al Carruth's website, has a pic or two of how he does it there, and nose around the MIMF's 'Proud of My Work' section for some of Howard Klepper's guitars (or better yet, go directly to Howard's website and have a look around). I'm going to be trying one on my next build, fairly 'standard' round 1" diameter hole at the bass-side shoulder, ish.

Dave,
Here is a copy of my port template. Feel free to copy all you want

Bruce, that's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! Thanks man!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I met John Monteleone one time at a Guild of American Luthiers convention. What a nice guy. I went up and introduced myself and he immediately handed me one of his latest creations: a slender arch top with three oblong ports on the bass side. Looking inside at the beautifully crafted interior, with the sound projected right up to my ears, it was as if I was one with the guitar. It was something else. Ever since I’ve wanted to build something similar. I haven’t done it yet---too much repair work---but I think it is a great idea.

Hard to believe that none of you OLFers have any with side soundports in them.

Are you guys holding out on me?

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I have a couple of shots of a soundport I put in my classical models but they are each 568kb's If someone can help talk me through the way of resizing them and getting them up on the forum I would be happy to do so.

Well, this is kind of a boring photo, but here you go.

rlabbe38450.7245717593

[QUOTE=Dave Rector] Hard to believe that none of you OLFers have any with side soundports in them.

Are you guys holding out on me? [/QUOTE] I don't have pics yet but I have retofitted 2 and my current project will have one.

Thanks Roger! What is the diameter of that one? For some reason I was under the impression that they needed to be bigger. If I can make one that small get the same effect that would be great!

Do you like the results? Can you hear it quite a bit better while you are playing?

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Dave I like the report while on the playing side. I made mine 2.50" x 1.5" oval. I made the first circular and the second oval. The oval seems to have a bit more ballance in the tone I have no idea why. I could be imaging it. But it seems to too me

Here's a shot of the guitar I'm building, using the same locations as Kenny Hill does on his classicals:



I think they're one inch diameter (body is only three inches deep at the heel). I have no idea how it will sound, as this is my first guitar. By the way, those holes are for the adjustable bolt-on neck, using Harry Fleishman's system.

Roger--"Boring photo?!" That's one elegant looking geetar, man. Makes me want to pick it up and play it!

Carlton

John, that's your first guitar? Geeze, mine still don't look that good! Is that Macassar ebony you used for the bindings?

I was actually thinking of drawing up an oval hole in turbocad and pasting that on the side and using a dremel to hack the hole in it.

Michael, that's interesting that you think the oval hole sounds better. Maybe I'll just carry on with my plan.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

That's wenge, or "#%$@*! splinter" wood, as I call it.

Okay Dave, I finally got a pic of my port. It's a 1 inch diameter hole. This is my first and I strung it up before finishing. I really like the sound with the port; it seems to have a fuller sound. BTW, from looking at some of these pics, I think some of these other guys used the copy of my port template. ;-)

[

Another question. Do you guys double up the side where the port is, or reinforce it in some way?

John, I should have recognized the wenge. Another "duh" moment. They seem to come more often lately.

Bruce, it looks nice! The main thing I want to do is be able to hear the guitar better while I am playing it. Sonnds like this does accomplish that.

Thanks guys!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Dave,
I doubled the side at the sound port by using a piece of the same wood except that I rotated the grain 90 degrees.
From my experience, you'll definitely hear the guitar better. I'm sold and will put a port in any guitar that I intend to keep.
BruceH

Same here. Cutoffs from the side pieces, rotated 90 degrees.

Okay, I figured out how to resize the photos. Here is a soundport I use in some of my classical guitars.

Robbie--
Do you find that the shamrock gives you better tone than the skull and cross bones?
Or a three leaf clover for that matter?

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

hahaha, good one Steve! I was just trying to show the Irish roots. I have noticed that the guitar projects much more with the soundport than without it. There is more volume for the audience with the port.   

I've heard--and read--this same thought so many times I'm beginning to believe it.
Do you have a theory why the port works so well?
What do you suppose is going on?

(You got some 'splainin to do)

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Not the greatest pics, but here's my contribution to the soundport revolution! :)