Recent Completion Sheppard Ave Maria Deep Bodied GC

[WhistlingFish]

Beautiful work Gerald! What finish material do you use?

Originally Posted by Martin_Nut

Interesting to see the sound port located on the lower bout side. What has been your experience with the port located in that position as opposed to on the upper bout side?
John

Any comment Gerald?

[Gerald Sheppard]

Ports do a couple things:

First - the objective thing, they allow air to more easily flow through the body when the guitar is being played. This allows the top to move up and down more freely, thus more volume. About any port in any location will help with that.

Secondly, and subjectively, ports allow some of that extra volume to be siphoned off for the player to hear. I prefer the port to be located a little farther away than the upper bout because I don't like the "in my face" sound that reminds me of how I sound when talking inside a cardboard box. By making the hole a touch smaller and placing it in the lower bout (where the energy is generated), to my ears, I get to hear a little from the port, a little from the front of the guitar, and a little from the room. The smaller port robs just enough volume to help me hear the guitar better without robbing the audience.

I must admit, this is subjective. Other locations work well too and it's best to try guitars with sound ports in different locations if you are interested in the "perfect" placement.

[Brackett Instruments]

Great looking guitar. I've got a friend (actually he's my eye doctor) who has one of your guitars. It makes me smile every time I get to play it.

Re, soundports. One pleasant side effect I've found from a relatively small, well placed sound port is feedback reduction, when using a pickup in a loud setting. I suspect the first step to feedback is air getting trapped in the body, with the only escape route past the strings. A soundport gives this pressure an escape route without exciting the strings.

[tkuane]

Beautiful work, and on behalf of those that read it, I thank you for your explanation of sound ports.

I have played a few of your guitars courtesy of Trevor at TAMCO, and I admire your work.

Very tasteful, clean lines. Well done!

[jseth]

Absolutely gorgeous instrument! I only wish I could hear it sing...

Thanks for posting!!!

[terken]

Very nice Gerald, what's the finish on that one?

[Gerald Sheppard]

Hi Terken,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Have not been on here for a few days.
I use the Target EMTECH EM6000 Production Lacquer.

Gerald

[Billy Boy]

Hello, Gerald! What an absolutely gorgeous guitar. Each time I open my case I am amazed at the craftsmanship and art of my Sheppard guitar. And then comes the lovely, sweet sound when played. I agree with the above poster...elegant. Thanks for sharing.

[Gerald Sheppard]

Thanks for the testimony Bill! Very welcome comments, ha!!