Need help with f-hole plug testing

[Southlogan]

I'm refining some f hole plugs and need a tester for ES-335 plugs. If you're willing to help out by making measurements, sending photos, and letting me know what works and what doesn't, you keep all the prototypes and I'll send you a couple pairs of the final design. I have probably a better-than-average knowledge of music and guitars, but I'm not a player and don't have a stack of guitars at home. Thus the request.

Any takers?

While I'm here, I'll ask are ES-335 f holes are fairly consistent across the different years and models? At least consistent enough that the same foam plug will work in all of them?

[wintermoon]

How did you determine the size of the 335 plugs? I'm guessing you have or borrowed one?
I think you'd have more response making them for full depth guitars like an L-5 or Super 400 as they'd be more prone to feedback, though more people own L-5's than Supers.
A bit less prone to feedback are ES175's but there's even more of them.

[Bob_Ross]

^^^Yeah, I gotta admit I've never seen anyone use f-hole plugs on an ES-335 or equivalent semi-hollow instrument.

But if you ever wanna make some for an Ibanez AF-75, I'll happily be the beta tester!

[Southlogan]

The 335 plugs in the photo are just a shot in the dark based on images and specs I've found online - that's why I need the help. The longer ones in the photo are for a Le Grand - a friend took a picture of his and sent it to me with an estimate of the length of the opening. I'm about to send him the first prototypes and get his reaction.

I want to be able to supply the plugs for all the guitars people want them for. Once I have an accurate dimensioned drawing of the f hole for a certain guitar, I can add it to the list of things I can supply. So by all means, if you have something other than a 335, it's not custom, and you want to participate, let me know. I was just starting with the 335 because I didn't know where else to start. I just started working on the ES-175 model last night.

Please, L-5, Super, ES-175, and other owners, let me know if you'd like to help and get some free plugs out of the deal.

Thanks for the advice!

[Southlogan]

Bob - I just PMd you. Let me know if you don't get it.

[Hammertone]

"I have probably a better-than-average knowledge of music and guitars, but I'm not a player and don't have a stack of guitars at home. Thus the request."

Soundhole plugs for an ES-335 are utterly pointless. You are wasting your time with this idea. The design of the guitar, with a large, heavy block running down the center of the guitar body, linking the top and back laminated plates, prevents feedback unless the guitar is played at extreme volume.

OTOH, Gibson guitars with pickups that might benefit from soundplugs:
-Super 400;
-L-5 / Super V / L-5 Signature or Ritenour - all have the same soundholes, iirc;
-Legrand / Johnny Smith / Citation / Kalamazoo Award - all have the same soundholes, iirc;
-ES-175 / ES-330 / ES-125 / several others - all have the same soundholes, iirc.

[Southlogan]

Understood, and thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll be able to cover all those models.

What about Gretsch hollow bodies? Is there a large community there that might need plugs?

[andrew]

There may be some demand in the Gretsch world, certainly more than an ES-335, but not as much as L-5, Super 400, etc. Most Gretsch archtops are laminates and have heavier bracing, so feedback isn’t as much of an issue.

I would suggest looking more in the world of carved archtops. Other than the Gibson ones mentioned above, think about Benedetto, Heritage (all the Eagles, Sweet 16, H575), vintage Epiphones, Guild (artist award), Campellone, etc.

[bluejaybill]

You should contact Mark Campellone for his f-hole shape. There are a bunch of folks on here who might be interested. Me, for one.

Borys would be another one.

[DawgBone]

"I have probably a better-than-average knowledge of music and guitars, but I'm not a player and don't have a stack of guitars at home. Thus the request."

Soundhole plugs for an ES-335 are utterly pointless. You are wasting your time with this idea. The design of the guitar, with a large, heavy block running down the center of the guitar body, linking the top and back laminated plates, prevents feedback unless the guitar is played at extreme volume.

OTOH, Gibson guitars with pickups that might benefit from soundplugs:
-Super 400;
-L-5 / Super V / L-5 Signature or Ritenour - all have the same soundholes, iirc;
-Legrand / Johnny Smith / Citation / Kalamazoo Award - all have the same soundholes, iirc;
-ES-175 / ES-330 / ES-125 / several others - all have the same soundholes, iirc.

I'll second this. I have to find the sweet spot to get any feedback with a 335 and a cranked Twin unless I'm sitting right in front of it.

[Woody Sound]

Your plugs look nice, but maybe you should focus on true hollowbodies.

[Bob_Ross]

Tough crowd!