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Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=25068		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  basslord [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Are there any good sonic reasons why the top of the guitar is the same dimension as the back?
Have guitars with say..tops smaller than back..(or indeed vice versa) ever been tried?
What were the results?
Just wondering....
The only obvious reason I can think of is it might make the guitar awkward to hold...but hey ovations aren't exactly the easiest either.
Any thoughts gentlemen?
Author:  Edward Taylor [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Well for starters you would have to bend the sides along a whole other axis as well.
Author:  Ti-Roux [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Good job for bending the sides... Maybe not the most confortable configuration for a guitar, not either for the aesthetic question (would be UGLY, according to me). But, i'm sure that could affect the sound and the projection.
Author:  mateo4x4 [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
I could see some interesting design ideas coming from playing with this part of the 'box'...the creation of the wedge and others come to mind right off. It would be a challenge/nightmare to get the side bending right...what some military refer to as 'good training'. laughing6-hehe

Acoustically...I have no idea. It can increase/decrease the volume of air inside the box, make the soundboard smaller...even change the resonant characteristics of the boxes interior. There are many here that are more knowledgable about this part than I and should have some good info. Beware...you may be opening up a huge can of worms though, as there are many different opinions about what makes for tone changes and sound quality. beehive laughing6-hehe

-Matthew
Author:  Christian Schmid [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Two designs where the back plate has a larger dimension than the top come to mind:

First - a guitar made by Burton LeGeyt with a special kind of cutaway:
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=22620

Second - a guitar with a Manzer wedge also has a somewhat larger back plate.

Sonic effects idunno

Christian
Author:  J Jones [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Do Ovations count as guitars? beehive

cause they have a very different back - top dimentions
Author:  Ti-Roux [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
It's true, ovation... But don't have to bend the sides, in fact, there's no sides. Only a carved back. Like a Lute or a Oud.

AWESOME this cut-away!!!
Author:  Kent Chasson [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
The builder's name escapes me at the moment but there was a guy who was doing something that looked like an armrest bevel around the entire perimeter of the top. The idea as I understand it was to get the sound of a bigger box and smaller top.

Maybe someone else will remember who it is. He was at Healdsburg 2 years ago (maybe this year too) and had one of that style at Dream Guitars for awhile.
Author:  matthewrust [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Ovation jokes are the new banjo jokes!!!
Author:  gullywompr [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
I once had an Ovation that I left in my car overnight. The next morning I found that my car had been broken into. My Ovation was still there, however, along with four other Ovations.
Author:  Eddie Lee [ Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Check out the Doerr Guitars. The bevel gives a smaller top and bigger box. Dream Guitars and Guitar Gallery usually has one.
http://www.guitargal.com/cgi-bin/displa ... 2&show=506
Author:  mateo4x4 [ Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
Curious...as the top vibrating is a large contributor to the sound generated, wouldn't a larger top be preferable?

-Matthew
Author:  John Ray [ Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why Are tops.Backs the same size?
German Perez Barranco has been doing this for years here in Granada. I wouldn't dream of commenting on the sound however. This is the only internet reference I can find that mentions this feature in his guitars but I have seen them in his shop. http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... ncert/10/1


John Ray
Granada
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