ToneMonkey Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Alrighty fellow guitar fiddlers I was looking thorugh a Guitar mag last night and there was a picture of an acoustic bass with the sound hole in the corner, next to the where the bottom horn would normally be on a strat. I was wondering if this was the a good design or not (personally I can't see why not) but to get my head round it, I was wondering about the following: Generally the sound hole is directly below the strings, but does it need to be. Essentially, I picture the soundhole's purpose as letting the air out of the soundbox, due to the vibrations of the top, not the strings. If there are some vibrating strings and a big fat sweaty hand infront of the soundhole, you are increasing the resistance to the air comming out of the box. I can't see the strings having any need to be directly over the hole, unless it forms a kind of echo, if you know what I mean. The strings themselves don't seem like they would have that much effect on the air movement within the air box. Anyone following or do I have to think of a better way of putting it when I'm not in such a rush. Scratch your heads and let me know what you think. Kaj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Mcpherson guitars use a soundhole on the upper bout. They sound amazing. Weather or not this is due to the soundhole design is up for debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 It is an interesting question. Placement as it relates to functionality of an area of the soundboard is one thing to think about. By the same token placement of a soundhole will loosen the soundboard in the area surrounding the hole(think F holes on an archtop). So placement could be moved to an area that is less efficient, but in doing so would change the dynamic of the soundboard as a whole. Difficult question to specifically answer. As far as the soundhole itself and its function. There are a few different opinions, and no solid answer for you. There was a good discussion with input from some very seasoned professionals over at the OLF recently-link. Fun subject to chat about. Peace,Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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