Sidehole acoustics, yay or nay?

[Jalexander]

If Manzer is in on this, it’s the real deal, not a gimmick! I know the sound ports from McPhersons, which are pretty forward-thinking (and $$$$$) instruments, too. I think of them in the same league as fan-fretted electrics. Definitely a departure from tradition, but so were pickups and solid bodies and vibrato bars and…. Everything else, once upon a time. Not critical for my style of playing, but I’m all for it!

 

[TV the Wired Turtle]

its brilliant, & for what its worth, all the years of playing in front of an audience; no one was listening to the sound coming out of the soundhole facing them at all. NOT possible with drums, and bass, and keyboards and stage monitors.. not possible. They were hearing my pickup through a big rig'o'marroh


extra holes rule Ali Fakar!

 

[stevo]

its brilliant, & for what its worth, all the years of playing in front of an audience; no one was listening to the sound coming out of the soundhole facing them at all. NOT possible with drums, and bass, and keyboards and stage monitors.. not possible. They were hearing my pickup through a big rig'o'marroh
View attachment 203536

Is that an Iron Ranger I see?

 

[cielski]

So yesterday, and as a direct result of this thread, I headed out to a local shop that specializes in acoustic guitars, figuring I'd find a few side port models to check out ...

100's of guitars on the wall. Not a single one with a side port! Ha! What's with that? Salesman said they just don't get any requests for them. I was surprised by that.

I've some old (1960's) Guitar player mags. over 90% of the instruments, amps, and accessories offered didn't last in the marketplace for long. No requests for side hole guitars doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[Franz Zlabinger]

Think this is just such a marketing creation to sell more.

 

[TV the Wired Turtle]

Is that an Iron Ranger I see?

indeed

 

[Ricochet]

Think this is just such a marketing creation to sell more.

I’m usually very sceptical re guitar “innovations”, particularly when it lacks the science to back it up.
On the other hand…traditional f-holes on classical instruments are not just decorative elements. It’s is proven they will increase the volume on an instrument.

 

[TV the Wired Turtle]

Think this is just such a marketing creation to sell more.

How dare you assume my side hole!! I prefer "Player Port"
So Gibson, whom invented the "player port" in the 60s did it to sell more? nah.. Ted McCarty designed the soundport first on a J-45.



btw... Pick a Port, with genuine Port Wine corks!

 

[LivingMyDream]

This thread makes me think of my Fender Acoustic SFX amp (and my Fender Acoustasonic SFX PR370). The idea is that these amps create a stereo field because there is a side firing speaker. I paid a bit more for the Acoustic SFX (the Acoustasonic SFX was bought used) to get the "stereo field" effect. Is it really "stereo?" Maybe not, but there is definitely something special about the sound . . . I can hear it. Will an audience hear the difference? Unless they are all music majors sitting in the perfect spot, I doubt it very seriously . . . but I hear it, and that was enough for me to want the amp. It inspires me.

The same seems to be the case with the side sound hole. Is it necessary for the audience? Probably not, but if you hear it and like it, then it will probably inspire you . . . and that's a good thing. The thing I would need to know is not about whether it makes a guitar louder, but how it affects the tone. Now, I realize that its a bit of a rabbit hole discussion, so I would think it's like most guitars. When I pick it up and play, does it feel good in my hands, is it visually appealing, and most importantly, does it sound good to me? If it checks all the boxes, I've probably got a winner on my hands. At least that's how I choose a guitar.

 

[TV the Wired Turtle]

This thread makes me think of my Fender Acoustic SFX amp (and my Fender Acoustasonic SFX PR370). The idea is that these amps create a stereo field because there is a side firing speaker. I paid a bit more for the Acoustic SFX (the Acoustasonic SFX was bought used) to get the "stereo field" effect. Is it really "stereo?" Maybe not, but there is definitely something special about the sound . . . I can hear it. Will an audience hear the difference? Unless they are all music majors sitting in the perfect spot, I doubt it very seriously . . . but I hear it, and that was enough for me to want the amp. It inspires me.

The same seems to be the case with the side sound hole. Is it necessary for the audience? Probably not, but if you hear it and like it, then it will probably inspire you . . . and that's a good thing. The thing I would need to know is not about whether it makes a guitar louder, but how it affects the tone. Now, I realize that its a bit of a rabbit hole discussion, so I would think it's like most guitars. When I pick it up and play, does it feel good in my hands, is it visually appealing, and most importantly, does it sound good to me? If it checks all the boxes, I've probably got a winner on my hands. At least that's how I choose a guitar.

ya! I had the SFX satellite speaker

 

[Hammerhands]

The idea is that these amps create a stereo field because there is a side firing speaker.

I've got a Sony TV that has side firing speakers that make a surprising surround sound effect.

btw... Pick a Port, with genuine Port Wine corks!

I don't suppose you had Pic-a-Pop where you are?

 

[TV the Wired Turtle]

I've got a Sony TV that has side firing speakers that make a surprising surround sound effect.


I don't suppose you had Pic-a-Pop where you are?

doesnt ring a bell, but Ive not eaten breakfast yet so..

 

[hcsterg]

I personally prefer Cat's Eyes or F-Holes...

A+!

 

[OzzPocket]

Never played one.....but aesthetically......I don't like it....AT ALL

 

[Irish-Jay]

Acoustically? No idea.

Aesthetically? My strange but irrepressible reaction is, "What happened to its face?!?"

I have the same reaction with headless guitars.

Hope that's helpful! (I know it's not.)

I’ve been considering one of these for a while. I keep buying Martins, but I’ve done some research and they have great feedback and real merit.

 

[Bertotti]

I’ve been considering one of these for a while. I keep buying Martins, but I’ve done some research and they have great feedback and real merit.

Nothing wrong with Martins!

 

[ToneM1]

Back in the `70's, Gibson hired some "Engineer" to design some acoustics. they were called the "Mark Series" One had some side hole and all of them had weird, scientifically designed bridge. They were a huge flop!. I think the same will happen this time..

 

[cielski]

It's a gimmick, plain and simple. It's mainly so you can hear yourself better, reminding me of one of my favorite performer quotes---"More ME in the monitor!"

I have some old Guitar Player mags. 90% of the gear in the ads never lasted on the market for more than a year. Gretsch is no stranger to that, either. The Tone Twister, Tuning Fork Bridge, back pad, Space Control Bridge, and so on never really lasted.

 

[stevo]

How about a holy acoustic?