Have you put a DIY soundport in your Larry?

[Daysailer]

mccnnllmk,       

                                                                                                          
Gutzy first post..   But thanks for a great report about DIY soundports, and your successes.   

I am ready to add one to my Gretch Amaricanna Sundown Seranade.
If all goes well probably my Seagull Artist Folk as well. 

My Larrivées.......ummmmm........aaaaaaaaa......probably not...  of course never say never... 
If they were standard models, I would be more willing, but both are unique limited run models.

Good advice for those considering the idea.   There is a recurring tutorial by Tim McKnight on the AGF forum,  easily found with a 'soundport' search there. 

Again Welcome to our family of Larrivée Lunatics

ds   

[Mr_LV19E]

Wow, never thought of doing that. I got a new RotoZip for Christmas, maybe I'll try it out on my LV-19E

      their taking me away, please stop them, I was only kidding

[Tony Burns]

Brave Lad - not the stuff im made of - i dislike holes cut into the side for electronics ( guess im a no cut person at heart) Ive played a few with sound ports they did sound nice thou - But when you pay serious money for a guitar you dont want to start putting holes in it ( to my way of thinking )

[LookingForLarri]

Never put one in a Larri,  but I did put one in my Taylor Big Baby today.  Came out pretty good if I do say so myself.

[Daysailer]

Never put one in a Larri,  but I did put one in my Taylor Big Baby today.  Came out pretty good if I do say so myself.

Very nicely done   

You dont mention how it improved the sound to the player.    I am especially interested because you used a paw print instead of a circle, oval , or egg shape, and I am curious if your pattern makes the same improvement in player response.

ds 

[Cybenator]

I'm still considering it in my main player, OM-02 Walnut. Just haven't had the umm "BALLS"  so to speak....

[LookingForLarri]

Very nicely done   

You dont mention how it improved the sound to the player.    I am especially interested because you used a paw print instead of a circle, oval , or egg shape, and I am curious if your pattern makes the same improvement in player response.

I cannot really compare how the paw shape compares to the circle or egg, but I can tell you that from the players perspective there is a very noticable improvement in the sound. By improvement I mean volume, not tone.  I had my wife cover, then uncover the soundport while I was playing.  Uncovered it sounds like you are in front of the guitar, just not quite as loud.  Once you cover it back up the guitar sounds muffled.  I noticed no difference in tone either in brightness or added bass.

[strawintogold]

I LOVE the paw print!!

is there any concern in regard to the side being more susceptible to cracking, etc.?

holly

[LookingForLarri]

I LOVE the paw print!!

is there any concern in regard to the side being more susceptible to cracking, etc.?

holly

Although I'm sure that "holes in the side"  weaken the structural integrity to some degree I'm not sure you have to worry about cracks.  Many top luthiers are now including soundports in their guitars.  That being said I would never attempt this on some of my higher priced guitars.  I bought this Big Baby specifically for this test so that if in he future I decide to order a custom build I would know whether a soundport is an option I would consider and the answer is a definite yes.

I would love to take credit for the paw print, but I first saw it on Tim McKnights website and his looks much better than my poor copy.  There is also some great information on Soundports and the effects they produce.

[Daysailer]

LFL,   thanks for the info on the improved sound.  If I do this to my less special guitars, I will probably do something different than a plain circular shape.   Maybe some variation of the sound holes I designed and used in the Mountain Dulcimer I made from a kit. 



I like the idea that the gulls are the sound flying out of the insturment, and the grain lines are the currents it rides on   

[Daysailer]

I'm still considering it in my main player, OM-02 Walnut. Just haven't had the umm "BALLS"  so to speak....

You have the same issue of having somewhat unique and special  Larrivées.

Perhaps we could  start with adding them to our Ukes.   I have an all solid Sapele Pono Tenor.
You and I can start the soundport revolution in the Ukulele world..     

uuuummmmmm,   you go first and let me know how OUR idea works out.   

[LookingForLarri]

LFL,   thanks for the info on the improved sound.  If I do this to my less special guitars, I will probably do something different than a plain circular shape.   Maybe some variation of the sound holes I designed and used in the Mountain Dulcimer I made from a kit. 



I like the idea that the gulls are the sound flying out of the insturment, and the grain lines are the currents it rides on   

Very nicely done !!! I found that having the correct Dremel attachments made all the difference, especially with something as detailed as those gulls.

[Daysailer]

Thank-you   

Its a good thing Santa brought me a new Dremel this year.  (I've burned out 2 previous ones over the last 30 years or so)
I use my Dremel a LOT !

However, the gulls were done without any dremelling (sp?)
They were made before the top was attached to the sides, so it was easier to work on from both sides.
Used a coping saw to carefully shape them,  and then needle files, exacto knives, and sandpaper.

Came out way better than I had hoped.
Can you believe I got a brand new Dremel and I havent cut, ground, poished or otherwise dremelled something yet ?
Maybe my Larri's (?) better beware... 

[dbirchett]

So why would you ever want to sell your Larrivee anyway???

jimmy

Only reason I can think of is to get one that you want more.

[dbirchett]

Now this one is not really a sound port like you are asking but is an even worse tragedy:



Who knows, there may be one on the side too!

[Mr_LV19E]

Now this one is not really a sound port like you are asking but is an even worse tragedy:



Who knows, there may be one on the side too!

Thats quite an  inOvation.

[jimmy buffett]

Only reason I can think of is to get one that you want more.

OK, I'm good with that...

jimmy

[naboz]

Mcmmllmk and Jimmy B.
Thanks for speaking up!  I had talked seriously with the former Orsino, and a custom guitar builder who lives nearby (L. Kragenbrink), about a port for my OM05.
The single guitar I played w/one had great player sound/response.  And, yes, many superb builders are including this in their builds.  I would love to have it done to my OM.  As for me doing it, I definitely want to practice first--and get a few more attachments for my dremel--the right tools make all  the difference!  If I lived near T. McKnight it would be done already.  Lance K. refused b/c of his build schedule--and I dont think he is a port convert... though many of his builder friends are. 
I see me owning a ported guitar...after all, I play most of the time to myself, and it seems the right adaptation to get me my sound .
I think I will be seeing Lance this week and will again broach the subject.