Opinions on this Guitar Technology

[zcostilla]

So I’m looking for a short scale flat top acoustic guitar, and thought about supporting a luthier instead of buying a production instrument. So I found Portland Guitars on Reverb, and saw that some unique innovations are used. Curious if any of you have seen anything like this before, and if you think this is gimmick or a good idea.

Technology and Features | Portland Guitar

[ronjazz]

Looks pretty cool, clearly, you'd want to try one out for the sound, but the technology seems well-thought-out, especially the tunable bridge..

[ThatRhythmMan]

It’s probably not fair, but when I see the phrase “perfect intonation” used, I immediately become skeptical of everything else.

[zcostilla]

Looks pretty cool, clearly, you'd want to try one out for the sound, but the technology seems well-thought-out, especially the tunable bridge..

It’s probably not fair, but when I see the phrase “perfect intonation” used, I immediately become skeptical of everything else.

That tunable bridge is the one part I’m actually considering leaving out in favor of a traditional compensated saddle. It’s ugly to me, and I think I don’t want that much mass on top of the soundboard. But the bracing and neck heel adjustments really fascinated me. Especially since I play slide, so while I wouldn’t necessarily do it often, it would allow me to adjust the action higher for slide if I had a performance or felt like actually recording myself play (although my 5th Avenue adjusts very simply with the thumbwheel sand sounds AMAZING with a glass slide for bottleneck playing).

[DRS]

I think the adjustable bridge looks crude - rough, un-sanded edges and it seems crooked. I imagine you're going to lose 1 or more of those little bridges sooner or later when changing strings.
Innovative bracing? Maybe innovative but that doesn't guarantee better sound.
Playing is believing.

[fep]

Bracing, interesting, I wonder if the idea came from Taylor Guitars who on their premium flat tops has a non-traditional bracing also:

[Rob MacKillop]

Nothing new about the cantilevered neck. Viennese guitar makers such as Stauffer were doing it back in the 1810s. It's a great idea, but needs the upper fretboard free of the soundboard, which is no bad thing. There was a big-name player then, Luigi Legnani, who used to change the action for different pieces during a concert. He was also, fyi, Paganini's duet partner.

[zcostilla]

Nothing new about the cantilevered neck. Viennese guitar makers such as Stauffer were doing it back in the 1810s. It's a great idea, but needs the upper fretboard free of the soundboard, which is no bad thing. There was a big-name player then, Luigi Legnani, who used to change the action for different pieces during a concert. He was also, fyi, Paganini's duet partner.

That’s a cool history lesson. I like how my 5th Avenue’s fingerboard doesn’t attach to the soundboard. But flattops and archtops are two very different things.

Bracing, interesting, I wonder if the idea came from Taylor Guitars who on their premium flat tops has a non-traditional bracing also

Not sure who was doing their bracing first. I sent them my contact info, and I want to talk to different people who’ve purchases them to get their impressions on it.

[ruger9]

That tunable bridge is the one part I’m actually considering leaving out in favor of a traditional compensated saddle. It’s ugly to me, and I think I don’t want that much mass on top of the soundboard. But the bracing and neck heel adjustments really fascinated me. Especially since I play slide, so while I wouldn’t necessarily do it often, it would allow me to adjust the action higher for slide if I had a performance or felt like actually recording myself play (although my 5th Avenue adjusts very simply with the thumbwheel sand sounds AMAZING with a glass slide for bottleneck playing).

I agree on that bridge/saddle. Hideous, and I question how well it would actually work, and for how long.... doesn't very "durable" to me.

[feet]

I've never heard of the company or any of their innovations. Read into that what you will.

PS: it can't mean much because I'm a moron

[neatomic]

the idea of movable saddles on acoustic instruments is not new...& why are they not centered properly and misaligned?...poor qc...

fact that they use a pic like that as a selling point does not encourage me... tread carefully

look like molars! haha



cheers

[rob taft]

As Rob says the idea of cantilevered adjustable necks are not new and other builders are using them today e.g. Lame Horse, Gary Southwell etc. , I will say that Taylor's neck design is basically a cantilevered neck. Just unbolt adjust with the correct shim

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/7b1...=1593976903495

A Series Fenland Black Oak (Jazz) | Guitars | Southwell Guitars

Can't speak to the bracing but it looks ponderous. The proof is in the playing i.e. ears.

I like the concept of an adjustable bridge on an acoustic guitar but the design as depicted has in my opinion some short comings. I'm not talking about the workmanship or how it looks as that can be fixed but I am concerned about the various layers that mitigate against direct sound board coupling i.e. the base the saddles sit on is routed into another channel. Not that I am a fan of under saddle pickups but you won't install one on this guitar.

[zcostilla]

the idea of movable saddles on acoustic instruments is not new...& why are they not centered properly and misaligned?...poor qc...

fact that they use a pic like that as a selling point does not encourage me... tread carefully

look like molars! haha

cheers

And that’s one of the reasons I want a traditional bridge

[lukmanohnz]

Steve Klein was building radically innovative guitars with split saddle bridges in the 70s. Another informative link with a better photo.

[agentsmith1122]

Those are radically different guitars, beautiful pieces.

I checked the website and I didn't see that picture. I think they updated the design.

Molars, Ha!

[zcostilla]

So I have decided to take the plunge. For $1,500 I will get a luthier-made guitar to my specs:

- Sloped-Shoulder Grand Auditorium (OM-sized, but with the dreadnaught shape)
- 24.8” scale length, traditional compensated bone bridge/saddle (not the individually intonatable saddles)
- 12-fret neck, 1.725” nut
- Waverly open-geared tuners
- Chamfered edge where the top meets the sides
- Sitka spruce soundboard
- Sides/back wood TBD (likely Mahogany or Sapele, but anything is fair game)
- Minimalist appointments (my preference), so basic binding, no rosette.

This will be my non-jazz, jamming guitar. Looking forward to playing on a chair on the porch. Will probably add a K&K pickup system, but I’m already at the max budget for this, so it will be a bit before I go that route.