Someone mentioned the Planet Waves - O Port to me today.
So I looked up review videos to find out what it was about.
I can understand that someone with a budget guitar might try a modification like this but can't figure
out why someone who forked out for an expensive $X,000.... guitar, choosing
to alter the sound of a guitar designed for a certain sound quality?
Does this imply that when paying for an expensive guitar it's mainly a cosmetic cost, a playability cost,
a rubbish sound cost that needs modified cost?
Simple Modifications To Acoustic Guitars
Planet Waves, which is an otherwise reputable company, is trying to market what I consider to be a stinker of a product. I've seen the thing demonstrated in person, and it offers no discernible benefit that I can perceive. Others may disagree with that observation. I would rather trust Bob Taylor or Chris Martin to build a guitar that sounds great, without the need to graft on a plastic appendage.
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thereshopeyet wrote:
J
I noticed a little difference when it was installed, but not really that much. I would probably give it a go with a beginner guitar, but I bought my 814ce for the sound that it gives all on its own..... Your thinking is in line with mine. It would be a better demo, if they would use it on guitars that might not sound so good, so you could really hear a marked difference. At least it is not a permanent mod though. If someone wanted to give it a go, they could easily take it back out without damaging anything. I also wonder how it would work with any guitars that had electronics that might be in the way....Someone mentioned the Planet Waves - O Port to me today.
So I looked up review videos to find out what it was about.
I can understand that someone with a budget guitar might try a modification like this but can't figure
out why someone who forked out for an expensive $X,000.... guitar, choosing
to alter the sound of a guitar designed for a certain sound quality?
Does this imply that when paying for an expensive guitar it's mainly a cosmetic cost, a playability cost,
a rubbish sound cost that needs modified cost?
What might I be overlooking?
What do others think?
J
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Dennis Wrote:
:laugh: :laugh:
Dennis, your a man who has tried many a string ...... have you tried: D'Addario's EXP strings?
If so did you like them?
J Wrote:
I read somewhere that's its a flexible hard plastic (not soft rubber) so could mark the sound hole finish if installed / uninstalled several times.
Well, that's what immediately jumped into my mind, why pay a couple of thousand quid, when I then need to pay a further twenty to improve it !!I would rather trust Bob Taylor or Chris Martin to build a guitar that sounds great, without the need to graft on a plastic appendage.
:laugh: :laugh:
Dennis, your a man who has tried many a string ...... have you tried: D'Addario's EXP strings?
If so did you like them?
http://www.daddario.com/DADExpLanding.PageD'Addario's breakthrough EXP Coated Technology produces strings with the natural tone & feel of uncoated strings,
with at least 4 times more life. EXP's allow a guitar's voice to ring true.
J Wrote:
I did think about that too. You'd need to be careful you didn't damage something when installing it.I also wonder how it would work with any guitars that had electronics that might be in the way....
I read somewhere that's its a flexible hard plastic (not soft rubber) so could mark the sound hole finish if installed / uninstalled several times.
thereshopeyet wrote:
Tried 'em and I like 'em. I think they're a little darker sounding than Elixers, a quality that works well on a lot of guitars.Dennis, your a man who has tried many a string ...... have you tried: D'Addario's EXP strings?
If so did you like them?
I consider the O-Port a troubleshooting tool at best. An acoustic guitar can only benefit from it if there is something causing an imbalance in the tonal range. I find this to be the case more because of environmental factors than issues with the instrument. By the way, a cylinder made from posterboard will do the same thing as the O-Port, with the added advantage that you don't mind cutting it, and its mass is lower than the O-Port. These devices alter the Helmholtz frequency of your guitar's body.
I won't bother to go into the science here, but a good guitar in a matching acoustic environment does not need an O-Port.
The title of your thread is "Simple Modifications to Acoustic Guitars", and under that category, I strongly assert that fret leveling and crowning, a well-fitted bone or TUSQ saddle, a nut with correctly profiled string slots, and proper action settings are all simple, and very effective, modifications that will make your guitar sound its best and play its easiest.
I won't bother to go into the science here, but a good guitar in a matching acoustic environment does not need an O-Port.
The title of your thread is "Simple Modifications to Acoustic Guitars", and under that category, I strongly assert that fret leveling and crowning, a well-fitted bone or TUSQ saddle, a nut with correctly profiled string slots, and proper action settings are all simple, and very effective, modifications that will make your guitar sound its best and play its easiest.
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Dennis Wrote:
Dermot
Thanks for that Dennis.Tried 'em and I like 'em. I think they're a little darker sounding than Elixers, a quality that works well on a lot of guitars.
Dermot
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Wrench Wrote:
If you have any further suggestions or links regarding the science and matching acoustic environments please post :ohmy:
Wrench Wrote:
It's taking me a long time to understand the mechanics of the acoustic guitar but am getting there slowly.
I was looking at saddle adjustments last week. I don't know the difference in terms of sound with respect to bone or TUSQ
other than both materials get good reviews.
Dermot
Thanks for your interesting comments regarding the O Port.I consider the O-Port a troubleshooting tool at best. An acoustic guitar can only benefit from it if there is something causing an imbalance in the tonal range. I find this to be the case more because of environmental factors than issues with the instrument. By the way, a cylinder made from posterboard will do the same thing as the O-Port, with the added advantage that you don't mind cutting it, and its mass is lower than the O-Port. These devices alter the Helmholtz frequency of your guitar's body.
I won't bother to go into the science here, but a good guitar in a matching acoustic environment does not need an O-Port.
If you have any further suggestions or links regarding the science and matching acoustic environments please post :ohmy:
Wrench Wrote:
Thanks for the heads up on these fundamental adjustments.Fret leveling and crowning, a well-fitted bone or TUSQ saddle, a nut with correctly profiled string slots, and proper action settings are all simple, and very effective, modifications
It's taking me a long time to understand the mechanics of the acoustic guitar but am getting there slowly.
I was looking at saddle adjustments last week. I don't know the difference in terms of sound with respect to bone or TUSQ
other than both materials get good reviews.
Dermot
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So you have to put a nasty piece of plastic in your Taylor to make it sound good?
Sacrilege, on any beautifully made guitar in my opinion... I did hear a difference on the video but its not something I'd want to do with any of my guitars. I'd rather drop it from off my shoulder strap like I did with my heavy 12 string the other day (first time in 25 years)! Damned thing came loose at the button hole and dropped on the bottom edge of the guitar. Amazingly, no damage at all... except to my heart!
Sacrilege, on any beautifully made guitar in my opinion... I did hear a difference on the video but its not something I'd want to do with any of my guitars. I'd rather drop it from off my shoulder strap like I did with my heavy 12 string the other day (first time in 25 years)! Damned thing came loose at the button hole and dropped on the bottom edge of the guitar. Amazingly, no damage at all... except to my heart!