Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Walter on July 31, 2019 at 2:16pm

here's my meditation spoon. personally. i cannot meditate, but introducing a random and repetitive plucking adds a physical lack of concentration. Anything to stop my mind. Only git I haven't electrified yet.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on July 30, 2019 at 6:08pm

I like that people can share their experience and experiences with others here. Sometimes our posts can unwittingly strike a chord in others or come across the wrong way, happens all the time in texts.

The whole "No Rules" thing applies to people trying new ideas or a new take on a old idea, but when it comes to certain things about music structure or acoustics and how to make them better, rules do apply. You can't cheat physics. Some rules can be bent or dispelled while some can't be broken.

From what I know of Taff, is that He has a wealth of knowledge that he freely shares and I thank him for all that He has shared here as well as all others that have freely shared. Let us try to share without sounding negative.

Soundholes do have a scientific formula that you can go by. I've seen it, but can't find it on my computer at this moment. I've always found that having a soundhole in the right place can make a huge difference in sound as well as bridge placement on the body. The hole size can make it or break it for volume. always best to start small and go up from there. Sometimes many small holes can be just as good depending on where they are put.

For gigging a git, those holes can be a problem.  A sealed hollow box can be a problem too. If the pickups are microphonic to a medium degree or more, it gets worse. There are ways to combat that though with inner box shielding, shielded wires/twisted pair wires and  wrapping the bottom of the pickups with foam.

Personally, I like a little acoustic influence from a guitar, it has a fuller sound to me. My first guitar was a hollow body guitar so I guess it spoiled me. Thinking back on my first guitar, it is a hollow body with a small block under the bridge area, is has a body size that's slightly bigger than a Les Paul or Strat, it's about 2' thick around the edges and maybe 2.25" in the center with F-Holes. Thin guitar bodys don't usually have much acoustic volume, but this one does because of that little block under the bridge and the placement and size of the F-holes. So a thin body can be made to have decent tone and decent amounts of acoustic volume with the right principles of construction and the right scientific principles used. Some rules apply and some rules can't be bent.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on July 30, 2019 at 6:16pm

To further the bit about my guitar and it's construction, think about a Violin a moment. It's body is small and it's about 3" in the center, has F-holes and usually a small "tone block" under the bridge area. They are small instruments, but have very good acoustic volume and capable of great tone depending on the player.

A lot of design know-how went into developing that instrument. You can get the same from a CBG with similar know-how.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on July 30, 2019 at 8:33pm

Paul , I agree with most of what you said ,  I have seen the scientific formula on sound holes including  body  dimensions,  wood  choice, and   age / dryness  of wood ,  sound posts    etc etc etc .. I have even seen  a member here break it down into a simple rule of  thumb based on the average pre-made  cigar box .. I think it was ....one or 2 holes the size of a quarter or so .. or the equivalent of .. usually  close to corners or in f   hole  areas etc  etc ..  I think many use that  option  because it is  seen alot . and it seems to be safe . and avoids neck  issues for mid placement holes ,

Take my 5 holes for example , the empty space  of them all together is easily in that ball park . (not that i was following that formula, just repeating what worked for me in the past .)not to mention it is a smaller box.. 

Indeed we can  change the top and side  wood , add sound blocks ,  sound posts ,. hardener ,thin the wood . hire 5 mathematicians  etc etc etc .. , but  are we still really making a "cigar box" guitar ?  or are we making a "guitar"? . we already replaced the box .

This guy is asking a simple question  on 2 already existing boxes . a simple answer involving those boxes  and  side ports .. and his yet  unaddressed  question about the funky top is what we should be concentrating on . ( i  include myself in that also ), admittedly ,  i sidetracked the post with something that had nothing to do with  soundholes .  but due to the circumstances , i figured it needed to be said . and it was  said . hopefully we can all move on constructively and  finish helping this guy out . .. anybody care to address the rounded off box top issue ? 

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Walter on July 31, 2019 at 3:47am

Physics are "absolute", most of the time. The apple does fall from the tree. But for many, we're not making bombs here. (hope the word police don't take my "B" word out of context). I agree that you need the holes to be large enough, but can't they also be too large? My main point is, if it sounds good, it's good. Could it sound better? Maybe, but this is in the eye of the beholder. 

I do like the accurate information though, and use it. Shielding, foam, etc. Formulas. 

Now, what is the issue here? A rounded off box top. I missed that, this blog is so large I have trouble navigating. Somebody send me a link to the original issue. Or not, just curious. I can try to dig later if I don't get a link.

Ps......Everybody rules! Thank you. Oh, on my three string bass the box was fragile and old so I filled every bit of it with pieces of oak, and glued it shut. Sounds awesome, but when I wanted to swap the pickup it was difficult. Solidbodys would be a cool topic, my only advice is not to glue the box shut.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on July 31, 2019 at 6:44am

Physics are absolute, sometimes our interpretation of them is wrong so it's important to try everything for yourself as a self experiment, except trying to shoot an apple off your head. Haha

There is a group of solid body style guitars hear on the site.

Fender has a 4 string Tele(Tenor Guitar) out this year. I think it's a 23" scale. Sweetwater.com had them listed on their site.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Walter on July 31, 2019 at 2:50pm

Looking forward to learning more from your blog, solid body and stuff.

You never had an an apple shot off your head? No photo, but my brother, 1970, tried it on me with a cross bow, close range for safety. We lived in the woods. The projectile successfully hit the apple, then backfired from the tree and hit him in the head. Not funny. One day I spent making a "platform" high in the trees, my stepfather came home from work and chopped it down. Also not funny. Oh well, he built our house and the three boys were the slaves. Too much information, sorry. 

Paul. are physics absolute, really? Do you have a tin foil hat?

Now I've done it. 

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on August 1, 2019 at 5:39am

Tin Foil Hat? Those aren't necessary if you line the entire inside of the house. Makes the guitars and amps work better too. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Walter on August 1, 2019 at 7:53am

Good idea. Instead of painting the house I'll shield the whole thing with 3'' copper shielding tape. Don't much care for the paint shielding stuff.

By the by, i run this past others every once in a while. I need a partner to help design and sell hats, baseball caps, whatever, with shielding built in, or "tin foil". I bet there are tons of people out there that would snap them up with the right marketing. Gold mine, make us rich. (or should I say copper mine?). The aliens won't be pleased.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on August 2, 2019 at 4:57am

LOL

Permalink Reply by Daniel Walter on August 1, 2019 at 7:56am

This little git is high strung. Soprano.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Walter on August 2, 2019 at 8:35am

I'm serious about the hats.

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