Sound hole cover for BT-03R with enlarged sound hole?

[Keith C]

Does anyone know if there is a "commercially available" sound hole cover that will fit a Larrivee with an enlarged sound hole?  (which I have on my BT-03R.)

Thanks!


(I do see the older post asking about this topic from six months ago, but it looks like it has had a non-guitar related reply added to it, so I decided to start a new thread!)

[Keith C]

I think I found a solution, and thought I'd report back in case anyone else with a guitar that has an enlarged sound hole might also be looking for a sound hole cover.

I decided on a wooden cover from https://www.lutehole.com

They can make custom sizes, and made a cover for the 4.25 in. diameter sound hole that's on my BT-03R.

So there are probably a couple of questions.

1 - Does it work?

2 - Were there any issues?


First, does it work?  I mean, hey we can all see that it is not a solid cover.    The answer - yes, it works surprisingly well.  I tested playing through my Fishman Loudbox, sitting about six feet away.  I could make the baritone feedback pretty easily, but then putting in the sound hold cover would cause the feedback to cease.  I could still force the baritone to feedback by raising the amp volume, but the sound hole cover helped a lot.

Second, were there any issues?  Yes, a couple.    The sound hole cover would make a buzzing sound when certain notes were played, primarily going up the second string and going up the third string.  The buzzing seemed to come from the wood to wood contact of the sound hole cover and the guitar top.  I emailed support at lutehole.com, and they responded very quickly and suggested I attached sticky back felt pads to the rim of the sound hole.  I didn't have any felt, but I did have some small foam pads that I could cut to shape.  I spaced out seven pads around the perimeter of the sound hole cover as shown in the attached photo, and this worked in silencing the buzzing.

Also, the wait time for the custom order was very long.  The original order was placed in November, got lost in the mail and missed arriving by Christmas.  They made and shipped a replacement, it arrived in late January.

All in all, at this point I'm pretty happy with the results.

Anyone else tried one of these sound hole covers?

[Queequeg]

I use the rubber ones in a couple of guitars to dampen the volume when I'm playing early in the morning.
They're not as pretty as the wooden laser cuts but they're highly effective.
If you want something cut to back the wood use this silicone sheet rubber. 1/8 inch thick.

By the way, you've got a great baritone. 
(but you already know that)

[William2]

That is a beautiful sound hole cover. It reminds me of those baroque guitars with the ornamental decorations in the sound hole.