Official Luthiers Forum!

However, I did!!!

I was doing some internet research the other day in the quest to ingest more information on Luthiery, when I came across a little site of an independant luthier..(please do not ask me the site, I forgot to bookmark it!!!)

Anyway, he was told by an experienced luthier about a technique that can show whether your soundbox is constructed well or not...

You light a match, and place it near the soundhole. You tap the guitar, at the lower part of the body...if the match blows out with the force of the sound wave projection escaping through the soundhole, be very pleased and assured you have a quality constructed box!!

I'm delighted to say I tried this technique on my guitar box at 2am the other night and by jove, it blew out!!!

(But I woke my family with the sound of the fire alarms blaring!!! )

*disclaimer* Sam Price accepts no responsibility for shops all across the world going up in flames. *disclaimer*

Sam,
i saw it too some time ago.
think its over at the DIY channel site.
they have a tutorial on building a guitar and they mention this "trick".
keep in mind that nitro-cellulose and all sorts of other finishing supplies are extremely flamable!

Udi.

This is the "Match Test" as Robbie O'Brien calls it in his class (although we usually use a lighter). It works well and it usually doesn't place the guitar in any peril, as you don't need to get very close to the sound hole. I would recommend doing it after its closed up, and prior to finishing it, though.
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Lynn Dudenbostel. It was on the DIY network a while back....my eyebrows are growing back nicely...

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

very peculiar, I might ad!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I do it for fun. I don't think you can tell a whole lot from it. Some matches just blow out easier than others.

Don't try this on old guitars with vintage "tone balls" in the box!

I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John

[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John[/QUOTE]

A Les Paul?

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg

[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar...[/QUOTE]
Wow, she got the super deluxe model? You know, that's not a fair test, 'cause those come with extra hot air.

on a uke?

[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John[/QUOTE]



It depends how HARD you thump that soundboard!!!!

[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John[/QUOTE]

$99 for an Esteban?!! Seems a little steep...

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

[QUOTE=L. Presnall] [$99 for an Esteban?!! Seems a little steep... [/QUOTE]

Must be the one Carlton is talking higher up in this thread.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Is there any high end of those?

Me thinks this test only shows if the air flow is sufficient and the box is sealed well. no tonal aptitude implied.

[QUOTE=MichaelP] Me thinks this test only shows if the air flow is sufficient and the box is sealed well. no tonal aptitude implied.[/QUOTE]

I'm desperately trying to hold on to this Old Luthiers tale!!!

Well, doesn't it give a clue to projection and volume? The faster it blows out, the louder it is??

This even works on cheap plywood guitars and stereo speaker boxes. So I don't think it proves anything. Just a cheap parlor trick to impress people.

Now, if you're playing on stage and it blows out the lighters in the audience...

Carlton, you crack me up
One of the CO Luthiers who has built over 350 guitars presses down on the bridge location after the box is complete. He looks for deflection of the whole area of the bridge and about 3" behind the bridge to go down also when the one small area is pressed. If the whole area doesn't go down, and just a very small area where you pressed goes down, then there is not enough deflection in the top. He then thins the edges more to get this whole area to go down. I have witnessed this same phenomenon on my last bouzouki, and it is one of the nicest sounding instruments I've played. His guitars sound fantastic too!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com