Micro Sound Ports on Top?

[Tavy]

Recently I've seen a number of bowlbacks come up for sale with "micro-sound ports" on the top. I'm attaching an image of one German made one, but I've seen a few Italian ones with similar ports, one either side of the bridge. It's one of those "I've never seen that before" moments that suddenly turns into a small flood of similar designs all at once :grin:

Anyone any thoughts on what effect if any these might have? Anyone tried anything similar on modern designs? I'm well aware of the many instruments with sound ports on the sides BTW.

Curiously yours, John.

[lenf12]

I can't imagine what possible effect those 2 little holes could have in the overall sound of the instrument, especially in such close proximity to the large sound hole we're used to.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Ray(T)]

There was a thread some time ago about such "grometted" holes on mandolin tops although I've never seen two on one side - they are usually one on either side. I don't any conclusion was reached as to what they were for.

[cwtwang]

I saw a fellow's mandolin the other day that had these metal grometted holes all around the edge of the top--maybe 20 or so of them--and he told me they were there to let more sound out and loosen up the top. I should remember if it was an fhole or oval hole mandolin--I think it was an f-hole. It was not strung at the time or I would have heard it.

[Rob Grant]

I suppose you could replace the two metal grommets with a bit of fancy wood fretwork and call it a "mini oud!"<G>

[Paul Hostetter]

http://www.triogrosso.com/images/oud1_small.jpg

http://www.classicalguitarmidi.com/history/VIHUELA465.jpg

http://www.cantarallaviola.com/attachments/Image/Lira.jpg

http://www.kirchmeyr.net/instrumente/theorbe/images/theorbe_vorne.jpg

I agree with Len that they can't do much except to perhaps attract conversation, though there's a real history for multiple soundholes. Seems like ones in the side, aimed up at the player, work more effectively than extras in the face.

http://www.lutherie.net/monteleone.sidesound3.jpg

[Willie]

Paul, do you remember where you saw that green F model mandolin? I saw Dean Stoneman,one of the members of the Stoneman family, playing a green mandolin, I don`t know if it had a sound hole on the side or not...Just wondered if it might be the same one....Didn`t mean to change the subject of this thread, sorry about that..
Willie

[Jim Garber]

That green one is a Monteleone. John makes many models over the years with sound ports.

As for the grommets on Euro-mandolins: If I ever get to the Calace shop i will ask there. Otherwise the mystery might remain. Current Calace models, BTW do not have those.

[Paul Hostetter]

Here's a 1908 Raffaele Calaci:

http://www.williampetit.com/mandoline-calace.1908/calace4.jpg

And one from 1918:

http://www.williampetit.com/mandoline-calace.1918/2.JPG

Look here for a number of mandolins with funny soundholes and shoelace eyelets (http://www.harpguitars.net/history/org/org-related.htm), particularly way down the page.

http://www.harpguitars.net/history/org_images/Mandolins,etc/harpmandolin-mungosa.jpg

Gregg Miner strikes again.

[martinedwards]

from a physics point of view the top is like a loudspeaker with the bridge being the magnet that drives the top

the soundhole(s) allow the top to move and drive the sound.

we don't go cutting holes in our SPEAKERS but we do cut holes in the enclosures to allow air movement.

I built a guitar with two soundports in the top edge and nothing on the top at all, and it FAR bassier than it's small body should ever be. also a bit louder, both for the player AND for the person in front.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/50-59/50/P1010013.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/50-59/50/P1010015.jpg

haven't a clue about the shoelace eyes though!!

[fishtownmike]

The metal grommets just look totally out of place on those instruments.

[Paul Hostetter]

The metal ones in Tavy's item look suspiciously like recent tuning machine bushings, but the ones on the older Italian instruments seem to be bone or perhaps ivory.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=50290&d=1266410768

[Charles E.]

This is on sale at eBay currently,

http://cgi.ebay.com/MANDOLIN-A-Style-Teardrop-Rosewood-Antique-Vintage-Rare_W0QQitemZ160408539405QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_De faultDomain_0?hash=item255918110d

It has a couple in the side as well