Larrivee OOO40 MT

[B0WIE]

 The enlarged soundhole changed the 'Q', or resonant frequency of the instrument. You'll mostly hear it in the way it lifts the bass resonance slightly (I'm no physics engineer so I'll include a pic below).
One thing I don't see talked about, but I have definitely noticed, is that the larger soundhole creates a more enveloping tone that feels as if it surrounds the player. A standard soundhole has deeper bass and projects more. The sound may be darker from the player position but if you are in a small room it can feel powerful as it bounces of the walls in your room. I also think it plays a part in why people often feel like a sound port makes the sound "surround" them. It's not just the port but the changing of the Q that happens unless the soundhole is made smaller.

[superdave517]

Hi, Super Dave. Thanks for the answer as to why you are getting a 000. The enlarged sound hole is something you can add on. I think it is supposed to let more sound out. I was watching a video by J.P Cormier last year and he contends it does just the opposite since you are reducing the sound on the soundboard. I've got it on my SD-40R special run. It's a loud guitar, but so are my others. I always use standard scale. I haven't seen a demo where a short scale sounded better than standard. There are lots of them with Martin D-18 vs Gibson J-45. Martin always takes it for me in power and sustains. My dealer bought a Martin 000-17 (short scale) He told me it was meh, and he sent it back.

interesting thought about the enlarged Soundhole reducing the vibration on the sound board surface ?

[superdave517]

interesting thought about the enlarged Soundhole reducing the vibration on the sound board surface ? Your right they do offer it on their OOO50,& 60's, but I believe their bracing pattern is different from the 40's series ? To be continued !

[B0WIE]

FWIW, the sound hole lies past the brace at the end of the main vibrational area. I don't see the size having much influence on top vibration. Otherwise, everyone would just move it to the side. Having played McPhersons and others with non standard sound holes, there wasn't any notable difference in vibration. That really happens behind the bridge.

[superdave517]

FWIW, the sound hole lies past the brace at the end of the main vibrational area. I don't see the size having much influence on top vibration. Otherwise, everyone would just move it to the side. Having played McPhersons and others with non standard sound holes, there wasn't any notable difference in vibration. That really happens behind the bridge.

so what's the right answer then ? Tony Rice thought it helped ?

[William2]

The bracing pattern on the 50 and 60 series is the same as on the 40 series. I really wish they had good demos of Larrivee all mahogany guitars.

[B0WIE]

so what's the right answer then ? Tony Rice thought it helped ?

As Richard Hoover told it, Tony's guitar had been altered some time ago (possibly a bad repair) and when they went to replicate it for him, they realized that it was part of what gave it the sound Tony liked. I don't think there's a right or wrong preference, but I do know that it affects how the guitar works as a resonator and is unlikely having much audible difference on surface vibration in the way that was described earlier.

[superdave517]

As Richard Hoover told it, Tony's guitar had been altered some time ago (possibly a bad repair) and when they went to replicate it for him, they realized that it was part of what gave it the sound Tony liked. I don't think there's a right or wrong preference, but I do know that it affects how the guitar works as a resonator and is unlikely having much audible difference on surface vibration in the way that was described earlier.

I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong answer ?

[Koamon]

Regarding the larger soundhole on my 000-40mt, when I ordered it I didn't know nor did anyone at GC describe it as having a larger soundhole. In fact I didn't even realize it until I stereo-wired my M-1 to the internal preamp. I was able to easily get my hand inside and do the job, that's when I measured it. I do notice that it projects better and doesn't compress as easily when played hard. And aesthetically, the larger soundhole looks more proportional to the elongated 12 fret body than the standard one. When I originally checked the Larrivee Website it a $75 up charge, but I can't locate the option now. Acoustically, I was once told that the placement of the bridge on a 12 fret guitar places the soundhole in a more optimal point for the body to project which is why 12 fret guitar has that big sound. I think that it does project even more with the larger soundhole. Personally, I prefer it and would choose it over a regular one, but ymmv.

[superdave517]

Regarding the larger soundhole on my 000-40mt, when I ordered it I didn't know nor did anyone at GC describe it as having a larger soundhole. In fact I didn't even realize it until I stereo-wired my M-1 to the internal preamp. I was able to easily get my hand inside and do the job, that's when I measured it. I do notice that it projects better and doesn't compress as easily when played hard. And aesthetically, the larger soundhole looks more proportional to the elongated 12 fret body than the standard one. When I originally checked the Larrivee Website it a $75 up charge, but I can't locate the option now. Acoustically, I was once told that the placement of the bridge on a 12 fret guitar places the soundhole in a more optimal point for the body to project which is why 12 fret guitar has that big sound. I think that it does project even more with the larger soundhole. Personally, I prefer it and would choose it over a regular one, but ymmv.

[superdave517]

I didn't know about this option as well. I just happened across it in my search for Larrivee OOO40MT guitars out there. Since mine isn't even built yet I have no clue on sound differences but I do agree that the enlarged sound hole at least on the OOO looks more appropriate at least to me and obviously you. Thanks to everyone for your input on this subject.

[superdave517]

Regarding the larger soundhole on my 000-40mt, when I ordered it I didn't know nor did anyone at GC describe it as having a larger soundhole. In fact I didn't even realize it until I stereo-wired my M-1 to the internal preamp. I was able to easily get my hand inside I sent you an pmand do the job, that's when I measured it. I do notice that it projects better and doesn't compress as easily when played hard. And aesthetically, the larger soundhole looks more proportional to the elongated 12 fret body than the standard one. When I originally checked the Larrivee Website it a $75 up charge, but I can't locate the option now. Acoustically, I was once told that the placement of the bridge on a 12 fret guitar places the soundhole in a more optimal point for the body to project which is why 12 fret guitar has that big sound. I think that it does project even more with the larger soundhole. Personally, I prefer it and would choose it over a regular one, but ymmv.i sent you a pm.

[BlueBowman]

I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong answer ?

There's not. As with everything else about a guitar, it depends on what you want. And it depends on the individual guitar. 

interesting thought about the enlarged Soundhole reducing the vibration on the sound board surface ?

The main function of an enlarged SH, as Bowie points out above, is to raise the main top (soundboard) resonant frequency a little. This is scientifically proven to happen, not my opinion. That rise in frequency results, theoretically, in more pronounced mids and trebles and a slight drop in bass output. I think larger guitars, which already have enough bass bias built into their large size, benefit the most from enlarged SHs (but only if you're looking for a relatively balanced guitar). Smaller guitars usually have a smaller SH to help drop the main top resonant frequency and increase the bass (because they typically already have plenty of mids and treble).

That's the idea behind SH size. But there are definitely guitars out there that break the rules, because all things are never equal in the acoustic guitar world!