Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clarky on July 4, 2013 at 10:42pm

Also to add, are sound holes on the side of the box that faces upwards towards you any use to maximise the volume?

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 4, 2013 at 11:37pm

Small sound holes transmit bass frequencies, large holes transmit high frequencies (the exact inverse of what most people would guess). To get a warm sound, use a single, no more than US quarter-sized hole. I have also experimented on two builds with a relatively large number (about 20-25) of closely-spaced small (1/8" diameter) holes, on the box side facing the player, arranged in a circular pattern. It works well.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Holmes on July 6, 2013 at 11:56am

I'd modify Ron "Oily" Sprague's comment: it's not what frequencies the sound holes transmit that's important (in fact most of the sound is produced by the surfaces of the box) but their effect on the resonant frequency of the instrument. A smaller sound hole gives a lower resonant frequency — hence a warmer sound. The other function of the sound hole is to affect how strongly the surfaces vibrate, both by changing the geometry of the top surface and by providing a way for air to enter and exit the box as it vibrates. For more on this see http://www.acousticmasters.com/AcousticMasters_GuitarBody2.htm.

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on July 8, 2013 at 5:48am

Thank you so much for that link. I havebeen looking for coherant info on this for some time. I had built bass reflex ducted port speaker enclosures, so I had a good general idea. But I needed some formulae and numbers.

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Permalink Reply by Clarky on July 4, 2013 at 11:54pm

Thanks Ron, I quite like the idea of small holes like you say facing the player so I think I'll try that too.  I suppose I've got a few similar boxes so I have enough to experiment with.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 5, 2013 at 1:32am

Clarky,

I build my own boxes, so not worried about messing one up ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Brendan deVallance on July 5, 2013 at 4:32am

My theory is that the sound holes dont do anything. I have done it both ways and the difference is very slight in my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 5, 2013 at 8:01am

"Ah, Monsieur, so you admit of a difference?"

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 5, 2013 at 5:17am

I don't go any where near theory as regards making guitars...only results count. It reminds me of the joke about a French philosopher..."Ah, Monsieur, that is all very well in practice, but 'ow does it work in theory?"

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Permalink Reply by Clarky on July 5, 2013 at 10:34am

Oh well I just bashed in a few pretty holes (that sounded wrong oops) so I'll see how it sounds when I string it up tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 5, 2013 at 4:13pm

There ya go!

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Permalink Reply by Mr.melo on July 7, 2013 at 1:16am

Here is some advice..that works for me when using sound holes...smaller boxes..don't touch them...they are loud on their own..when building the inside find yourself old tangerine crates at the supermarket and recycle the triangular wood...then place and size it in the inside the box in all four corners and it will create a louder tone..but clean...but if adding a pickup leave one corner alone to drill the input jack..hopefully this adds a  rounder inside of the box giving u a louder tone..lol wrks for me.. hope this was helpful

Melodeeman

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