Sound Port and Glossing my Gretsch

[Daysailer]

There is a recent thread that is bending toward a Sound Port discussion,
and not wanting to hi-jack that thread, thought I would start another.

Here are some pictures of my Collector Edition Gretsch Americana SunDown Seranade with
the soundport that I added.

 






I also glossed the back and sides.  Here are before/afters of the sides.


This was done with only the coursest compound that I use when polishing.
I have 2 others, finer and finest, that I use to get a really nice gloss, when I want one.
This guitar usually rides in my company truck, delivery type box van, for  
break and lunch pickin'. Any prettier would just be wasted on the others in the
alleys where I ususally take my breaks.  




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[cke]

 
The 1st guitar I remember as a child was a Gretsch archtop sunburst. Great memories


And WOW! really nice work!!

[Danny]

                       Very nice indeed. I'll have to try that out on one of my project guitars.

      I'll start a new thread soon on a custom maple/mahogany refinish I have been working on. I now believe it is a Koa top. I'm hoping to have a new bridge on it and the neck re-joined to the body soon.

[naboz]

Phill, you do good work!
What did the port do for the sound?

[BluesMan1]

   DS, I have a sound port added to a guitar that's being built for me. Not as big as yours. Was told that the port enables the player to hear the sound a little more direct to his ear when playing. Do you find this to be the case? Nice guitar & nice work on the port!
     Jeff

[Blue in VT]

 

Love that sound port...I've been thinking about adding one of these to my Silvercreek.  Can you walk us through the process you used to make that?

Cheers,

Blue

[Danny]

Love that sound port...I've been thinking about adding one of these to my Silvercreek.  Can you walk us through the process you used to make that?

Cheers,

Blue

I'd also like to know the product you use for the buffing out. Thanks in advance.

[NotRevGDavis]

The 1st guitar I remember as a child was a Gretsch archtop sunburst. Great memories


And WOW! really nice work!!

The guitar that I keep at my shop at work is a sunburst 1949 Gretsch 6050 "New Yorker" Archtop. It's pretty cool the headstock has the vertical "New Yorker" plastic veneer with a lightning bolt, floating pickguard, trapeze tailpiece, no truss rod and an adjustable bridge.

[Daysailer]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

  ... Not as big as yours. Was told that the port enables the player to hear the sound a little more direct to his ear when playing. Do you find this to be the case? Nice guitar & nice work on the port!     Jeff

This sound port is actually pretty small.  The two oval holes are barely big enough to put my finger tip iin.  About 1/2" x 3/4" each.
The guitar is a 3/4 size or very close to a parlor.  Here is another picture



These Americanas were sold about 2 years ago, very inexpensively.  I got mine for just under 3 digits.  Overstock finally sold the rest off for 29.99.  Wish I had not missed out on another or two....These guitars are well known sounding pretty darn good for what they are.  

Because the port is pretty small there is not a huge sound difference, but it does sould less boxy and more open.  When I put a cover on the hole,  hit a chord and take the cover off,  there is a definate difference for the good..
For lots and lots of sound port facts and opinions, go the the AGF and do a search there.  Will keep you busy for the weekend. http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

.....Love that sound port...I've been thinking about adding one of these to my Silvercreek.  Can you walk us through the process you used to make that?Cheers, Blue

I mostly followed the instructions that Tim McKnight posts on the AGF occasionally.
I sort of copied the pattern from an AGF poster, who did a really great job on his.  If you search the AGF I posted this project there in late Dec '09.  You can find some pictures of his port in my thread there.   http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171671&highlight=soundport+daysailer

DISCLAIMER..... try this at your own risk

Brief how to:
Masked off the entire area of the cut.
Drew the design on the tape.
Carefully drilled out a starter hole in each area. (very soft cored lam with very thin vineers, tear out a real issue with this guitar)
Used dremel tool and coping saw blades to enlarge the holes to near the designed shapes.
Used files and sandpaper to get the final shapes.
Removed the masking, and very carefully rounded the edges, taking care to not scar the sides.
Used a Sharpie to blacken the edges.
Smeared very thin CA glue on the edges to seal them.  Unclrob calls this 'stupid glue' and has good reason. Be very careful and specific wth this step.

Try to find a scrap to practice on if thinking of doing this.  And Please read the other posts available to get more info, like sizes and possible downsides.  

                 I'd also like to know the product you use for the buffing out. Thanks in advance.

DISCLAIMER..... try this at your own risk

I use the 3M products for my polishing needs.   All clearly marked "Silicone Free"  Get it at Auto body suppliers.
For this one I only used the 3M Super Duty Rubbing compound.  Its a fairly agressive and gritty.  I put a small dollop, about nickel sized, on a piece folded over, dampened tee shirt (clean).  This is enought for about a 6" x 9" area.  Lightly rub, with grain at first, then small circles.  When the cloth starts to dry or look  a bit 'cakey' I re-moisten (spit usually, old Navy shoe shine thing)(yeah I know the Marines do it too, only better) and rub some more.....repeat.....repeat always without adding more compound. Stop when you see no more improvement.   Start over on the next area with a fresh dollop of the compound. This is all I did on this guitar.

If I want more shine.  I then repeat all  above with 3M Perfect-it II polishing compound.  This will knock your socks off with how well it brings out a deep gloss.

If I want perfection I then repeat all above steps with 3M Finesse-it Machine Polish.  This stuff with leave zero micro scratches when done.

DISCLAIMER..... PLease study, practice on scraps and generally use good sense it you want to try doing any of this.  It is great fun and very satisfying, but could also easily become heartbreaking on your guitar too.

Thanks again for all the kind words......  

[Danny]

  Good instructions. I have the 3M silicone free compound. I thought that may be the type you were using. The sound port sounds like it would not be too difficult using your method as well.

[unclrob]

Really great job and not a bad use of stupid glue either.

[Daysailer]

Really great job and not a bad use of stupid glue either.

(((palm slap to forehead))))

Forgot to mention where I used the Belt Sander with 60 grit belt for the final glossing      

Rob and Dan,  thanks for the compliments.  High praise from craftsmen like ya'll  

[Blue in VT]

 

Thanks for that Break down daysailer...I may have to give this a try!

Blue