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Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 12:07 am
by JLT
I really don't have anything to add to these excellent suggestions except to recount my own experience with this. I did what Diane suggested on an already-built guitar I got from somebody, and cut an inner rosette which was glued under the soundboard proper. The only thing I did differently was to orient the grain perpendicular to the grain of the soundboard, figuring that it would help reduce the tendency of the soundboard to split there.

I used two pieces, each forming a half circle, so it was easy to pass them through the soundhole and glue them separately, using clothespins for clamps.

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 4:14 am
by sorengyllstrom
The diameter of the sound hole is around 15 cm.

I'm in the proces of find suitable wood - does anyone have a link for inspiration on what to chose? Seems like buying a new set of top plates, sanding etc is a bit over the top (pun intended ;) )

Best regards
Søren

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 6:00 am
by MaineGeezer
Oh my! If my memory is correct, it is supposed to be around 9.5 cm. Yes, I think you need to fix it.
For the benefit of other primitive colonials, 15 cm is about 5.9." and it should be 3.75".

So you need to add a ring 2.75 cm wide, about 1.1 inches. I'm just trying to visualize this.
..

For a source of wood, you might try contacting a supplier and ask if they have any orphan top halves. It seems a bit silly to buy a complete new top to cut up. I have seen single sides for sale though and somebody ought to have an odd half of a top that should be fairly cheap.

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:50 am
by Diane Kauffmds
You can use any wood you want. It doesn't need to be spruce. You can use a beautiful decorative wood with a wild grain.

15cm is an awfully large soundhole! I know that Tony Riced guitars have enlarged soundholes, but I don't think they're that big. I agree with mainegeezer; I would definitely close it a bit.

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:17 am
by robinsonb5
Rather than try and hide it, I think I'd be tempted to turn it into a visual feature, by partially "eclipsing" the hole - possibly even integrated with a pick-guard.
eclipse.jpg
I have no idea what the implications of this would be sound-wise - but my gut feeling is that the open area of the soundhole matters more than its actual shape.

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:30 am
by MaineGeezer
Well, there is one thing to be said for a nearly 6" diameter sound hole -- it would be easy to get your hand inside to do repairs!

;-)

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:50 am
by sorengyllstrom
I will surely fix it, and I kind of like the eclipse idea:) Now i just have to find the wood.

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:58 am
by Diane Kauffmds
The shape doesn't matter, so you can do as you wish with the hole. There are also ornate soundhole covers that you can make. You're only limited by your imagination.

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:11 am
by sorengyllstrom
Well, looked around and came up with this which I think will work :)

Re: Consequences of a larger soundhole?

Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:22 am
by robinsonb5
sorengyllstrom wrote:Well, looked around and came up with this which I think will work :)
Nice! Just make sure you can still get your hand through the hole that's left!