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Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=48394		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  PeterF [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qWEeCtUTS ... e=youtu.be

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Author:  bcombs510 [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 4:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Kind of reinforces the point in the nut / saddle comparison thread that a great player sounds great regardless. :) Thanks for sharing.


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Author:  Rodger Knox [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Is that a steel string Smallman he's playing?
Author:  DennisK [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Judging by the interior frame and lattice bracing, I get the feeling it was constructed this way to attract attention as a street performer. There's distressed, there's relic'd, and then there's Nelson'd :lol:
Author:  PeterF [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Rodger Knox wrote:
Is that a steel string Smallman he's playing?

Looks like a Smallman to me, but think it's a nylon string.

DennisK wrote:
Judging by the interior frame and lattice bracing, I get the feeling it was constructed this way to attract attention as a street performer. There's distressed, there's relic'd, and then there's Nelson'd :lol:

I just googled him and there's older pictures of his guitar with smaller holes in the top, so I guess it's just so thin he wore through it! But definitely seems to be part of his image as well.
I wonder if the top itself is less critical to the sound in lattice braced instruments? Maybe someone should try making a guitar with no top and just bracing! laughing6-hehe
Author:  DennisK [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
PeterF wrote:
I just googled him and there's older pictures of his guitar with smaller holes in the top, so I guess it's just so thin he wore through it! But definitely seems to be part of his image as well.
I wonder if the top itself is less critical to the sound in lattice braced instruments? Maybe someone should try making a guitar with no top and just bracing! laughing6-hehe

In that case, that's some impressive damage done considering his age :)

If you built a guitar with bracing only, it wouldn't really function acoustically due to the lack of a continuous surface or enclosed air. But I think it would be possible to do like old aircraft, using fabric stretched over a wood frame. Especially if the fabric is saturated with glue or paint or something to harden it.
Author:  J De Rocher [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Goes to show that electronics go a long way to getting a good sound out of just about anything.

Check out the staggered frets.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
At least his intonation is perfect ;)

Doubt that would sound good if it was unplugged. Interesting all round though that's for sure.
Author:  david farmer [ Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Thanks Peter!
He seems to know his way around the fretboard. laughing6-hehe

Our election makes me feel like humans are just a failed experiment. Great performances can lift me right back up.

I think this performance would still work with a different nut material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSK0ZVPsqk8
Author:  Colin North [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 1:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
Custom built Greg Smallman classical guitar apparently.
Note the "radiused" top of the cobwebbed lower bout (typical Smallman "support frame" for lighty built top)
Attachment:
20130404-234708.jpg

Wonder what pickup system is used?
Author:  Alan Carruth [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Maybe we've been overthinking soundhole area
DennisK wrote:
"If you built a guitar with bracing only, it wouldn't really function acoustically due to the lack of a continuous surface or enclosed air. But I think it would be possible to do like old aircraft, using fabric stretched over a wood frame. "

Look up Tim White's 'Chrysalis' guitar. It uses a CF lattice for the top, with Velcro around the edge that allows for attaching a cloth 'back'. You then insert a balloon and blow it up to fill in the spaces in the lattice and act as a soundboard. You can change colors and patterns to fit your mood...
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