archtop with built in soundport

[Matt Cushman]

I will be offering this beauty for sale after completion. She is sure to have a strong voice. She has a flex tested top with parallel bracing. When I added the sound port I reduced the size of the f-holes to compensate for the added port. I needed a loud guitar to keep up with my own mandolin which is very loud.

[JazzNote]

I will be offering this beauty for sale after completion. She is sure to have a strong voice. She has a flex tested top with parallel bracing. When I added the sound port I reduced the size of the f-holes to compensate for the added port. I needed a loud guitar to keep up with my own mandolin which is very loud.

Matt, this is indeed a beauty! What's the body size, fretboard scale, nut width and how thick is the top?

[Matt Cushman]

Matt, this is indeed a beauty! What's the body size, fretboard scale, nut width and how thick is the top?

Thanks Jazz Note!
The body is 17" at the lower bout , 3" deep at the sides and 4.5" deep in the center. The scale length is 25". The nut is 1.3/4". The top is approximately 3/16" thick in the area just under the bridge. The top is 5/32" thick from head to tail in the area between the braces. The remaining area outside the braces is 1/8" thick.

[gitman]

Trio/Duo with guitar, sax, bass - I play that sort of of gig all the time, have been doing so for many years and when the client wants us to be "mobile" I bring my banjo along with my nylonstring guitar and a battery amp. I found the sound of the nylonstring to be more pleasing when playing rhythm in that sort of setting and certainly loud enough (for the other players and the guests). An acoustic archtop behaves differently and having steelstrings it makes the top notes of the chords sound plinky and thin IMHO. When playing 4 to the bar Freddie Green style that is totally ok but that type of gig normally asks for different song material. Playing brazilian/pop stuff on an archtop sounds not very convincing I think UNLESS you can use a pickup/amp.
I also can also testify that until today not one client has protested my use of the Roland "Street" battery amp for amplifying either my archtop or the nylonstring since a) it's not louder than the sax and b) it's totally unobtrusive. That way we all win : I can play much more relaxed and with actual dynamics, I hear myself, the guys hear me and the audience can hear me in case I play a solo. We should not forget that we offer a service and that we know best which set of tools will work best to make everybody happy. Be proud, not loud but present ;-)

In my experience the soundport makes a difference (for the player) only in controlled situations, i.e. when it's nice and quiet , like in a concert situation. My "good" nylonstring has a port and when I sit at home playing fingerstyle I really enjoy that feature. When I'm pounding out chords I really don't need a soundport since the guitar is already resonating all over.
YMMV .....

[christianm77]

Yeah I think for acoustic gigs you are really in the realm of plectrum guitar only. Even if you have Uber projecting classical fingerstyle can be too harsh for Bossa, too much attack, not enough note.

I find I can do more of a strummy thing for Bossa can work. For pop and soul don’t find it a massive problem re: rhythm guitar.

My guitars are very loud though.

[JazzNote]

I also can also testify that until today not one client has protested my use of the Roland "Street" battery amp for amplifying either my archtop or the nylonstring

gitman, you won't believe it, but in the city of Zurich Switzerland and some closeby villages authorities strictly forbid the use of amplification if a venue (outdoor or tent) is located on public ground because they are afraid that things get too loud. Ironically they do tolerate all acoustic instruments like trumpets, drums .... whatever you can think of. If you are caught violating the rule you have to stop immediately no matter how low the volume and you will be fined ..... .

[christianm77]

Some places in London too. I did a couple of gigs last year in a place that meant no amps.

Normally it’s just bs from the venue who think amp=Marshall jcm800 + 4 x 12 cab

[CamillusUSA]

I had the following built for me by Mr Wu - this was my 1st experience w/side sound ports as well.... to my ear, it doesn't affect the volume or sound coming from the top to the audience AND the added feature of being able to better hear what you're playing is a definite plus.

[christianm77]

With sufficient of these holes a solo guitarist should be able to fill the Albert Hall

That was a fucking brilliant post and I am sad no one here got it. As Joel Fass said, pearls before swine!*

*i am joking

[sgosnell]

One man's brilliance is another's

[christianm77]

Shall I explain the joke? That would make it funnier of course...

[joe2758]

well, nothing would make it less funny at least

[rlrhett]

Shall I explain the joke? That would make it funnier of course...

I think everyone got the reference to "A day in the Life". It just wasn't that hilarious. Worth a chuckle.

[sgosnell]

If you have to explain a joke, it isn't a funny joke. That's basic comedy detail.

[christianm77]

If you have to explain a joke, it isn't a funny joke. That's basic comedy detail.

I think that might have been the joke I was making. Thanks for explaining it.

[christianm77]

well, nothing would make it less funny at least

*mike drop*

[sgosnell]

Text is the most difficult comedy medium.

[JazzNote]

maybe we need a chatboard here, this thread is is turning into some sort of trivial chat more than what it was meant to be.

[christianm77]

That’s why I’m reading it. I have a huge tolerance of triviality.

[Max405]

Matt, this is indeed a beauty! What's the body size, fretboard scale, nut width and how thick is the top?

Jazz note, I would look very seriously at this one. I think Matt takes a back seat to no one.
His volume knob placement is a selling feature in and of itself.
Joe D

[JazzNote]

Jazz note, I would look very seriously at this one. I think Matt takes a back seat to no one.
His volume knob placement is a selling feature in and of itself.
Joe D

Joe, i already have ordered a custom Excalibur from Frans Elferink who will incorporate a special soundport designed by a swiss luthier who has patented his design and gave me permission to use it. Presumably the Excalibur will be finished in March 2019.

.... and yes, i love the look of Matt's guitars very much.

[Gitpicker]

I have an Eastman Frank Vignola model (FV680-CE), it's a 15" body and it has a soundport as well. I like having it there. Like my own personal monitor!

[Max405]

Joe, i already have ordered a custom Excalibur from Frans Elferink who will incorporate a special soundport designed by a swiss luthier who has patented his design and gave me permission to use it. Presumably the Excalibur will be finished in March 2019.

.... and yes, i love the look of Matt's guitars very much.

JazzNote, That sounds great!
1,000’s of happy customers including Rob MacKillop seem to love there Elferink guitars.
One thing..
the only sound port guitar I’ve played was a Ribbecke Halfling. I know this guitar has a very different soundport design, but I must say, it left a lasting impression on me for sure. It’s amazing to me that more guitars don’t have a sound port. Considering most playing is done by the player, for the player, it’s only logical that the exiting sound is directed toward the Player. (Sorry buddy, you will probably have to read that last statement multiple times..)
Lots of luck with your build.
One of my many plans is to some day have Matt Cushman build a guitar for me. He has been good to me and I’d feel great about having him build a guitar for me.
JD

[D.G.]

I have an Eastman Frank Vignola model (FV680-CE), it's a 15" body and it has a soundport as well. I like having it there. Like my own personal monitor!

Not to derail the thread, but...

How does that Eastman compare acoustically to a more trad gypsy guitar? Can it hold it's own in an un-amplified jam?

[Bluedawg]

I had the following built for me by Mr Wu - this was my 1st experience w/side sound ports as well.... to my ear, it doesn't affect the volume or sound coming from the top to the audience AND the added feature of being able to better hear what you're playing is a definite plus.

I would love to make on of those my first Mr Wu guitar