About Sound Holes

Hi Norm, it's a topic that's been discussed a few times here.

The bottom line is the soundhole is a very important feature of an acoustic instrument. Theres too much info to post here. But here are a few things to keep in mind when building.

Smaller soundhole = more bass response.

None or too small a soundhole = dull or muffled sound.

larger sound hole= more treble.

The best place for a soundhole is in a location that will not inhibit top vibrations.

There are three main resonances produced by a guitar box, these are produced by the back, front (top) and the air in the box (guitar body). The back and top resonances can come off the their faces, they also create, with the help of the strings, the air resonance. If you want to hear that air resonance you will need a Soundhole.

i have tested this many times in my builds of full acoustic and CBG style guitars. I have gone bigger and made holes smaller, as well as put holes in CBG's that started out with none, all to good effect. In fact even removing the grills from a soundhole gives me more lolume on one of my guitars.

Just a moment ago I tested the air movement in an acoustic guitar body I'm building, the test went like this........l placed a lighted candle at the soundhole and tapped the guitar top at the bridge position (no bridge yet) and the air movement out of the soundhole blew out the candle. I don't think l'd get that from a CBg.

I would think that the better the CBG is built, the more responsive it is, the more effect the soundhole will have.

Sorry for being long winded Taff

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comments

Taffy Evans April 12, 2018 at 1:32am

Hi Norm, it's a topic that's been discussed a few times here.

The bottom line is the soundhole is a very important feature of an acoustic instrument. Theres too much info to post here. But here are a few things to keep in mind when building.

Smaller soundhole = more bass response.

None or too small a soundhole = dull or muffled sound.

larger sound hole= more treble.

The best place for a soundhole is in a location that will not inhibit top vibrations.

There are three main resonances produced by a guitar box, these are produced by the back, front (top) and the air in the box (guitar body). The back and top resonances can come off the their faces, they also create, with the help of the strings, the air resonance. If you want to hear that air resonance you will need a Soundhole.

i have tested this many times in my builds of full acoustic and CBG style guitars. I have gone bigger and made holes smaller, as well as put holes in CBG's that started out with none, all to good effect. In fact even removing the grills from a soundhole gives me more lolume on one of my guitars.

Just a moment ago I tested the air movement in an acoustic guitar body I'm building, the test went like this........l placed a lighted candle at the soundhole and tapped the guitar top at the bridge position (no bridge yet) and the air movement out of the soundhole blew out the candle. I don't think l'd get that from a CBg.

I would think that the better the CBG is built, the more responsive it is, the more effect the soundhole will have.

Sorry for being long winded Taff
Norm April 11, 2018 at 10:52pm

Sure does Richard. Lots of theories out there. Thought it might be a good subject for discussion
Korrigan April 10, 2018 at 9:18pm

My advice is start small. It's easier make a hole bigger with a saw than to make it smaller with Bondo. :D
Norm April 10, 2018 at 11:02am

Thanks EC

Seems that's a deep subject with a lot of theory to consider.

This reply was deleted.