Journey OF660 with normal soundhole?

joeguam · #1 09-11-2016, 10:39 PM

Is it possible?
Could it be ordered if someone had a preference?

pandaroo · #2 09-11-2016, 11:02 PM

Yes is possible to have one made like that, but will Journey do it, may be unlikely if they are not getting sufficient requests from other potential buyers/customer. It will be a huge investment for Journey to come up with a new mould plus you'd have to enough R&D invested to experiment with the bracings etc. to ensure tone is not compromised from the centred soundhole as the shape of the guitar is not a traditional shape.

joeguam · #3 09-11-2016, 11:32 PM

Would they really require a totally different mould, or would they just route out the soundhole in a different place?

pandaroo · #4 09-11-2016, 11:44 PM

You could be right and may be they can.

I am only speaking from an indirect experience with my custom carbon fiber guitar case and that is general idea I got from the case maker.

steelvibe · #5 09-12-2016, 07:50 AM

Also remember that the OF660 has a very unique neck joint right where a traditional sound hole would be placed. But , don't they offer wood guitars with a collapsible neck, and with traditional sound hole placement?

Earl49 · #6 09-12-2016, 08:57 AM

Only Rob from Journey can really answer the question. He posts here pretty regularly when not traveling himself.

The offset sound hole helps the player hear better from that small body, so it provides some tangible benefits.

Captain Jim · #7 09-12-2016, 10:56 AM

Our tastes change... and outside factors can help with that change. Until this past year, I thought off-set soundholes just "didn't look right." The first carbon fiber guitar I bought was a RainSong Shorty, partly for the size; and all the great reviews. In my mind, it also "looked more like a guitar should look." Yes, it was personal taste (bias). I was hooked on the sound from the first strum.

Then, I started looking at Emerald guitars. The soundholes didn't look "cut out in a different place," they have a very nice molded-in look. I have to say it went from "that doesn't look bad," to "I am really liking that look."

Now, I appreciate all the different carbon fiber guitars for how they sound, their ability to laugh at changes in humidity/weather... and the design possibilities afforded the makers. In fact, I really like the off-set soundhole on my X7. The beveled arm rest. All the "rolled" edges.

Like many guitar players, I came into this revelation from a pretty traditionalist point of view. I had my eyes opened. And my ears. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks.

joeguam · #8 09-12-2016, 03:42 PM

Jim, I actually like the shape/position/design of the X7 myself, I think the did a really good job.

I'm really asking about the traditional soundhole shape and placement to be able to use a magnetic soundhole pickup. I know there are other pickup choices, but this is what I'd prefer. I have a Rainsong Shorty and absolutely love it. Was just curious for traveling gigs if the OF660 could be an option.

robailey · #9 09-14-2016, 07:11 AM

Hi Gents! Yes, as a matter of fact we'd need to do multiple toolings to accomplish this.

I have the request on occasion, but most people who play the OF660 with the offset soundhole love it. This placement enables us to get a larger tone out of the small body. However we do have a secret product coming out soon that may (or may not) have a round soundhole in the not-so-distant future.

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #10 09-14-2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeguam

Is it possible?
Could it be ordered if someone had a preference?

Hi Joe,

Can I as why you're asking about this? Is it esthetics?

JerryM · #11 09-14-2016, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

Hi Joe,

Can I as why you're asking about this? Is it esthetics?

I think from reading his post Ted he wants to use a sound hole mount pickup. I am in the same ballpark on that as I want to use a Baggs M80 when I get one. Best pu out there imo.....I gravitate toward the traditional look as well playing old time music the modern shapes just don't fit in. Jerry

joeguam · #12 09-14-2016, 01:50 PM

Thanks Jerry, precisely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

Hi Joe,

Can I as why you're asking about this? Is it esthetics?

Ted, you just missed this post I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeguam

Jim, I actually like the shape/position/design of the X7 myself, I think the did a really good job.

I'm really asking about the traditional soundhole shape and placement to be able to use a magnetic soundhole pickup. I know there are other pickup choices, but this is what I'd prefer. I have a Rainsong Shorty and absolutely love it. Was just curious for traveling gigs if the OF660 could be an option.

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #13 09-14-2016, 01:57 PM

Jerry, Joe, I definitely missed it. Which is strange, because I tend to be so observant.

DavidE · #14 09-19-2016, 02:55 PM

I am in Negril, Jamaica with my OF600. Two observations so far. First, it was one of the smallest carry ons I saw on the planes. Second, the case needs a small loop at the top to attach my travel pillow. It was dragging along the floor quite a bit during my journey. ;-)

I'll be playing it in the piano bar tonight. My Emerald X5 sounded really good in there last year, but not so satisfying acoustically. I'm very pleased with the acoustic sound of my OF660.

JakeT · #15 04-08-2017, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robailey

However we do have a secret product coming out soon that may (or may not) have a round soundhole in the not-so-distant future.

Hi Rob, about 6 months since you dropped this hint. Any chance you could elaborate a bit more at this time? I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on an OF660M but would prefer a round sound hole if (or if not) one was in the works.

Thanks!