Have you put a DIY soundport in your Larry?

[pkaczor]

I have been researching this topic on the acoustic guitar forum (and have searched here as well).  Has anyone here put a port in a Larrivee?  If so, are you happy with the results? 

I am pretty familiar with how to do this (have seen the McKnight instructions) and read all the pros and cons, but have yet to see a Larry with a port.  Am thrilled with my L-03R but am wondering if I can make a great thing even better.  Just trying to get some info/feedback from someone who has already done this to a Larrivee.  Thanks in advance.

pmk

[GeeNorm]

I've looked at lots of guitars lately and have become aware that Breedlove offers small soundports in the lower bout in some of their models. The most pronounced use of soundports would possibly be the Boulder Creek Solitaire series. The Solitaires eliminate the conventional soundboard opening entirely and place a large soundport in the lower bout. I played one of their Solitaires with cedar top, solid mahogany back, and laminated mahogany sides. They defend the laminated sides by saying the structure would be too weakened otherwise. The effect of player directed sound was dramatic for someone who is a (would be great) composer.

So much for facts, now for opinion. 

I personally would never get a body piercing nor would I modify an instrument that was lovingly designed by a dedicated artisan. I would think a modification would be an integrity issue. (yes that is a double entendre)

But I do think there is room in the house for more than one guitar. My advice would be to find and play a Breedlove or Boulder Creek Solitaire and buy one if you like it. Don't know if it will work but I tried to include pictures of both a Breedlove and Boulder Creek soundport.



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[bluesman67]

I wouldn't even think of it.  I agee that if it's made that way and sounds great, buy it, but I personally wouldn't mess w/ my Larrivee's.  Interesting concept with the soundholes though.  There are some pretty pricey guitars out there with them, I would love the opportunity to hear some of them some time.

[Queequeg]

I watched Tim McKnight cut one into one of his own guitars.
and BTW, it sounds great!
Am I doing that to my Larrivee?

[pkaczor]

Here's an informative link on the topic from McKnight Guitars:  http://www.mcknightguitars.com/soundports.html

Be sure to read the metered scientific analysis of guitars with soundports compared to when the ports are covered or plugged (this part is below the pictures).

C'mon guys- I know someone has had to have added a port to a Larry!  How did it go?

[Woodbadger]

I know that sometime member Orsino (Tom Young) put a soundport in the top side of his SeaGull at one time. I think there is a thread Here with apicture. and then instructions on how he did it here

[jeremy3220]

Here's an informative link on the topic from McKnight Guitars:  http://www.mcknightguitars.com/soundports.html

Be sure to read the metered scientific analysis of guitars with soundports compared to when the ports are covered or plugged (this part is below the pictures).

I'm not stating an opinion either way but the first thing I thought when I read he plugged the hole with a sponge is sound absorbtion... like acoustic foam. It's no secret a sponge isn't going to reflect much sound and it's not air tight. My guess is the sponge absorbed some high frequencies but also probably let air and sound pass through. I wonder if the sponge stuffed in the soundport is more like a guitar with no soundport or actually more like a guitar with an open soundport.

[tuffythepug]

It's been done.   
There was a new member who posted awhile back asking what we thought of the idea.   I posted that I thought it was a terrible idea and kind of ballsy to think that you could improve upon Jean Larrivee's pride and joy. Most posters were against the idea. I think he was planning to cut a hole in the side of an L style of some sort.   Now it's driving me crazy 'cause I can't seem to find that thread.   Anyway, long story short.....He went ahead and cut a hole in it anyway and posted a few pictures of it here.   He did a good job of it but I couldn't help but wonder why ask our opinion and then go ahead and do it anyway.    He claimed to be an engineer with background in fine woodworking so I guess that made him an expert in guitar modification too.      I seem to remember the name "Big Al."     I'll keep looking for that thread;   It's exactly what you are looking for.
My feeling was and still remains...Don't f... with something that is perfect the way it is.

Tuffythepug

[pkaczor]

Thanks for all the responses so far!  This topic really results in some strong feelings! 

To reiterate, my goal here is to get some firsthand feedback from someone who mustered the courage to do this to a larrivee.  I'm sure someone has taken this plunge (tuffy- let me know if you find the big al thread you mentioned).  I have really been reading a lot on the topic and the vast majority of people who have ported their guitars seem quite happy with the results.  The dearth of Larrivee porters is obviously a testament to JCL's ability to make a great out-of-the-box product.  I realize that this is major surgery when compared to swapping out pings or replacing Tusq, but the goal is really the same. 

If you've done this to your Larry, please share the details! 

[pkaczor]

here's the "big al" link that tuffy referenced (good memory!):

http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=028906

[tuffythepug]

Alright.   There you go.   I wasn't crazy after all.  Funny thing is that the link you provided was not the one I was referring to      Same guy....Same general language, same general respones from the members, and same result but a different forum.    He did a similar post here I'm sure but that thread has been deleted because if you go to Big Al's member profile here he shows no posts.    This sounds like a mystery to me.  Anyhow, are you gonna get out the sawzall now ?

Tuffythepug

[BenF]

You aren't nuts Tuffy, I remember too.  I didn't post, but recall agreeing with you silently, and I have never visited that other forum, so it muct've been on here!!  Mystery where those posts went.

[pkaczor]

No, no- not in any rush to fire up the Dremel.  I'm not brave enough to be the guinea pig on this one.  For now, mine is a fact finding mission.  Still hoping for some insights from any Larrivee soundport pioneers.  So far, it looks like the esteemed Big Al is the only one (or at least the only one who posted about it).  Unfortunately, his posting was pretty light on the overall impact on tone, player feedback, etc and whether he was glad he did it.   

[Queequeg]

Know this: if you cut a sound port in a Larrivee guitar, you own it.
You will never sell it.
You may sacrifice it or give it away, but its value as a Larrivee guitar has just been reduced to the equivalent of junk bond status, or that of a single share of GM stock.

[flatlander]

I've seen a DUI sound port b4. Very asymetrical with a homey splintered wood look. They can be very quickly
and with little thought, placed on front, back or sides.

[tuffythepug]

If I remember correctly Big Al said that the soundport he cut into his Larrivee made the guitar easier to for him to hear as a player when he was playing with others.  It didn't have any significant effect for anyone listening.  That would seem to be the only advantage.  Seems like you could accomplish the same thing through other non-invasive, non-permanent means.
Also, some Larrivees that come from the factory with on-board electronics already have a cutout in the side where the controls are located.   The electonics could be removed and the "barn door" hole that remains is your built-in soundport.  Ugly though it may be.
Don't let my opinion sway you.    Us oldtimers are pretty resistant to change.  Or as some would say, stubborn    

tuffythepug

[BenF]

I've seen a DUI sound port b4. Very asymetrical with a homey splintered wood look. They can be very quickly
and with little thought, placed on front, back or sides.

When I got my first guitar (which was amazing at the time, although I now consider it a beater) my flatmate made a good attempt to make a soundport in the lower bout with a door handle the following day.  I was not amused.  I have had that guitar for 11 years now, and treated it with little respect, and that remains the worst ding on it!!!

[pkaczor]

Still hopeful on this topic...

(shameless bump)

[jimmy buffett]

Know this: if you cut a sound port in a Larrivee guitar, you own it.
You will never sell it.

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

Anyone who is interested enough to do this is likely planning on keeping the guitar.  My buddy (and fellow Forum member) cut sound ports into his SD50 and his Parlor and loves them.  And no, he doesn't see why he'd ever want to sell them...

I took a hand made Oscar Graf guitar that is owned by a local musician here, and cut a sound port into the upper bout for him.  He really wanted to have that sound port, given that he had heard about another Oscar Graf that had been modified and loved it.  I thought he was going to stop breathing when I turned on the router, but I have to tell you that it made a major difference to an already priimo instrument, and he's happy that he made the move.  Try it - you'll like it!

jimmy

[mccnnllmk]

Hi
First post here but have been following the fourm for a while. I purchased a P-09 in Aug. I love it! I play fingerstyle and the P0-9 suits my style just right. I have four guitars, and all have soundports that I put in myself. After reading about ports on the Acoustic guitar forum I decided to put one in a cheap, laminate classical I had and it went OK. It made such a diffrence in how the guitar sounded to the player that I decided to do it to a laminated steel string I had. That guitar sounded much better and I could hear it better. Next I got really brave and cut one in a Blueridge BR-160. A solid rosewood guitar for those unfamiliar with Blueridge. I was even more impressed with the effect. Better hearability for the player and some tones that wern't there before. The more I played it the better I liked it. So, after playing the new Larrivee for several months to let it open up a bit, I ported it also. Same results. It sounds great to me and has more overtones and sustain and I can hear it better when playing. As far as change to the person listening but not playing any change is very subtle but positive. The real benifit is to the player.
I covered the upper bout with blue masking tape, two layers, drew a round circle in the curve of the upper bout about the diameter of a small egg. I drilled a small hole in the center and gradually opened it with an exacto blade until icould get the Dremel sanding drum in. I graduallu enlarged the hole until it was just a tiny bit smaller than the marked circle then finished it to the line with finer and finer grit sand paper wrapped around a 1" dowel. when i was satisfied with the hole I swabbed the raw wood with super glue on  Q-tip, let it dry for an hour then cleaned up took off the tape and strung her up.
I have done a lot of carving and some gunsmithing so was confident with the tools. I would suggest practicing on a piece of paneling, also cover the whole guitar with towels incase you drop a tool. The most dangerous part is using the Dremel, BE CAREFUL. Sorry no pictures
Mike McConnell