F-hole feedback busting

[lamanoditrento]

Has anyone heard of f-hole feedback busting other than stuffing with foam or taping them up (which seems to be the only google answers I get)? I've only carved the top, not braced or holes cut. Actually they won't exactly be f shaped either. But is just enough to slow the airflow?

I have a halfcocked idea of inlaying magnets on the underside that a malleable "somerthing" could slip inside and be held in place by the magnets. Anyone else have ideas or thoughts?

[kiwigeo]

Gaffa tape was invented for a reason

[Dave M]

You would think that if this a common problem it would be talked about by both makers and performers. Is it perhaps about the type and placement of the pickups?

[mac007]

Hi Trent,

As a long time f hole electric player I feel the pain.
Benedetto states "...there is no way of being certain if a particular guitar will feedback. Some guitars (archtop) feed back, some do not"

I have found in higher volume scenarios a notch filter or similar works to reduce the offending frequency volume. TC Electronics also have a 'feedback buster' pedal designed for acoustic guitar tho' I haven't tried it.

On a slightly different angle, I visited Cole Clark last week for a factory visit (not a chisel or block plane in sight) and their latest pickup system uses proprietry shelving as it blends a top plate sensor, piezo and microphone and I found it really feedback resistant at decent volumes-in fact it never fed back once in the 1/2 hour I played it. Impressive and superior to the LR Baggs system I currently use in an acoustic.

For moderate to quite high scenarios Brian Setzer gets by with laminated thin top 6120-no centre block just a trestle bridge support. He seems to just position himself away from the trouble zones.

None of these really are a firm solution but may give some ideas.

Good luck- interested to see how it goes

MK

[Mark McLean]

You know how you can buy feedback busters for acoustic guitars with traditional round holes which are just a rubber plug that blocks the soundhole. Well, there was a guy who had a business in the USA called Doug’s Plugs and he made f-hole shaped plugs for archtops. His website had a hundred or so archtop models for which he had premade plugs, but you could also do a tracing of the shape of your guitar holes on paper and post it to him to get customized ones. Unfortunately he is now retired and the business disappeared. But I have read about people making DIY versions. The best material is the kind of stuff that thongs (flip-flops, jandals, whatever you want to call them) are made from. You could buy some and give it a go? Apparently Doug just cut them by hand with an exacto knife or similar method. Google Doug’s plugs and you will get lots of pictures, and also discussions on Archtop player forums of people who have made them, and a description of the best way to trace the shape of the holes by pencil rubbing.

Alternative method, apparently George Benson stuffs some of his guitars with cotton-wool balls to prevent feedback.

[lamanoditrento]

Hi Trent,

As a long time f hole electric player I feel the pain.
Benedetto states "...there is no way of being certain if a particular guitar will feedback. Some guitars (archtop) feed back, some do not"

I have found in higher volume scenarios a notch filter or similar works to reduce the offending frequency volume. TC Electronics also have a 'feedback buster' pedal designed for acoustic guitar tho' I haven't tried it.

On a slightly different angle, I visited Cole Clark last week for a factory visit (not a chisel or block plane in sight) and their latest pickup system uses proprietry shelving as it blends a top plate sensor, piezo and microphone and I found it really feedback resistant at decent volumes-in fact it never fed back once in the 1/2 hour I played it. Impressive and superior to the LR Baggs system I currently use in an acoustic.

For moderate to quite high scenarios Brian Setzer gets by with laminated thin top 6120-no centre block just a trestle bridge support. He seems to just position himself away from the trouble zones.

None of these really are a firm solution but may give some ideas.

Good luck- interested to see how it goes

MK

Thanks. I've already foreshowed that having a great acoustic and electric in the same archtop may not be possible or have to involve compromises.

I'm also trying to solve a passive mag and active piezo pickups with v&t control on both without having to have a 9v battery. Why 9v batteries are still the standard is beyond me. Shouldn't there be a wireless charger for your guitar already! Anyway, I think I have a way for this but we'll have to see.

[lamanoditrento]

You know how you can buy feedback busters for acoustic guitars with traditional round holes which are just a rubber plug that blocks the soundhole. Well, there was a guy who had a business in the USA called Doug’s Plugs and he made f-hole shaped plugs for archtops. His website had a hundred or so archtop models for which he had premade plugs, but you could also do a tracing of the shape of your guitar holes on paper and post it to him to get customized ones. Unfortunately he is now retired and the business disappeared. But I have read about people making DIY versions. The best material is the kind of stuff that thongs (flip-flops, jandals, whatever you want to call them) are made from. You could buy some and give it a go? Apparently Doug just cut them by hand with an exacto knife or similar method. Google Doug’s plugs and you will get lots of pictures, and also discussions on Archtop player forums of people who have made them, and a description of the best way to trace the shape of the holes by pencil rubbing.

Alternative method, apparently George Benson stuffs some of his guitars with cotton-wool balls to prevent feedback.

Thanks Mark. Yeah I was pretty sure this type of thing was going to be the answer. I go check those thongs now

[Mark McLean]

I just saw some flat interlocking sheets of that type of stuff at Bunnings, sold as flooring for your caravan annex or Ute tray. Cheap.

[lamanoditrento]

I just saw some flat interlocking sheets of that type of stuff at Bunnings, sold as flooring for your caravan annex or Ute tray. Cheap.

Awesome. Added to my bunnings list!