Adding side port to mandolin

[CWRoyds]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone experimented with adding side ports to an existing mandolin.
My question is about how it effects the existing tone from the front the mandolin.

I like the idea of having a sound port on the side at the top of a mandolin/guitar, to allow the player to hear the instrument better while playing it.
I know some makers provide these on new instruments.

If you create sound ports on an existing mandolin, will it have much of an effect on the tone of the mandolin in general from the listener's point of view?

[mojocaster]

There was a whole thread about this less than a month ago. Bottom line was, no difference... as I recall. Do a quick search, you'll see all the info that was shared, including by some builders.

[MikeEdgerton]

Some past threads are here.

[CWRoyds]

LOL.
Thanks for the past thread suggestions.
Sorry, I had a thought and posted, and I certainly know better, as I usually search for past threads on subjects first before posting.
There certainly are a LOT of past discussions on the subject, and I pretty much found the answer to the question.

Im not in any rush to cut a hole in the side of my mandolin.
I have just had more than one musician tell me that my mandolin is one of the loudest they have ever heard, but as the player I sometimes have a hard time hearing it clearly in a jam setting. When I put my head over the top, suddenly it is loud and clear as a bell.
I guess mandolins are made to project outward from the face, and don't push as much sound backward toward the player.

[Marty Jacobson]

I don't think you're going to substantially change the projection qualities of the instrument- but careful!
Adding a side sound port to an instrument not designed for it is going to act approximately like adding treble to the EQ of the instrument. By adding soundport area, you're resonant frequency of the box/air system, and therefore emphasizing the treble end. The effect can be quite dramatic. And may not be to your liking.

[CWRoyds]

I don't think you're going to substantially change the projection qualities of the instrument- but careful!
Adding a side sound port to an instrument not designed for it is going to act approximately like adding treble to the EQ of the instrument. By adding soundport area, you're resonant frequency of the box/air system, and therefore emphasizing the treble end. The effect can be quite dramatic. And may not be to your liking.

Thank you for the input, Marty.
I appreciate your opinion, as I admire your instruments, and see your experiments with different types of sound holes, etc.

I am not going to start cutting holes in my mandolin.
It was more of a hypothetical question.
Although, adding a bit of treble EQ wouldn't hurt my mandolin, as it is a very dark toned beast.
It is a Northfield 5Bar Artist, and has a huge dark tone.