Porting the Pickup Control Bay

[skyline]

I think I've seen posts here about removing pickups and mod'ing the hole left by the controls into a port - but I can't find them . . .

Does anyone have experience with this?

fitness1  I know you like ports . . .

[fitness1]

I think I've seen posts here about removing pickups and mod'ing the hole left by the controls into a port - but I can't find them . . .

Does anyone have experience with this?

fitness1  I know you like ports . . .

Sorry - just seeing this - I've never done that.  To do it properly you'd probably need to bend the wood to fit it properly.  You would want it airtight.   I've certainly seen it done, just not  done it myself!

[rockstar_not]

I have an unintended "port" due to malfunctioned Fishman barn door. I just left the hole unfinished.

[skyline]

Sorry - just seeing this - I've never done that.  To do it properly you'd probably need to bend the wood to fit it properly.  You would want it airtight.   I've certainly seen it done, just not  done it myself!

No need for apologies! I'm just fishing for ideas . . .

. . .  are there guidelines people follow when porting "non-ported" instruments?

In particular are there ideas floating around about porting instruments via the holes vacated by removed electronics.

I often see interesting guitars that have electronics-controls cut into them - I think modern Larrivees all have a reinforced section on the top side to allow for this . . .

[skyline]

I have an unintended "port" due to malfunctioned Fishman barn door. I just left the hole unfinished.

So you have experience in this concept!

Did you notice any particular acoustic benefit to leaving the "port" unclosed?

[eded]

Decisions, decisions... 

Close it or keep it as a port.

Leave the hole as is or reshape it.

Reshape the hole to take care of the mounting screw holes or not.

Leave the hole (reshape or not) as is or smooth/round over the edges.

If screw holes were left, fill them or leave them as is and finish them.

Lots of decisions to make, some based on your skill level and available tools (or willingness to get them).

Ed

[fitness1]

No need for apologies! I'm just fishing for ideas . . .

. . .  are there guidelines people follow when porting "non-ported" instruments?

In particular are there ideas floating around about porting instruments via the holes vacated by removed electronics.

I often see interesting guitars that have electronics-controls cut into them - I think modern Larrivees all have a reinforced section on the top side to allow for this . . .

Yes - that's what I was getting at - you'd want to cut a piece of wood (contrasting or to attempt to match) the back and sides wood of your guitar and then bend it if needed to fit the hole left behind.   That big rectangle is WAY to big for any real benefit in regard to effective ports.  I've seen a couple guitars over the years that had this done  -  a "patch" of wood with screw holes cut to match, and a reasonable sized port installed in it.

[unclrob]

I once filled in the barn door with a lazer cut lute type thing for a client,made it look nice.

[fitness1]

I once filled in the barn door with a lazer cut lute type thing for a client,made it look nice.

Now there's somebody using their noggin!! Great idea!!

[rockstar_not]

So you have experience in this concept!

Did you notice any particular acoustic benefit to leaving the "port" unclosed?

I can't speak of benefit for those out in front of the guitar - but it certainly does project more of the sound up towards my face.  I would have to believe this MIGHT reduce the forward projection of the sound.