why can't the inside of a guitar look a good as the outside?

[taz2822]

I know this may be a stupid question, but after scouring thru the Custom build threads and marvelling at the finish and woods used, why is it that the inside nearly always remain untouched and bare?. Couldn't looking thru the soundhole be just as aesthically pleasing as looking at the rest of the guitar? ( without all the laquer etc.) Is it to do with humidity etc. Couldn't different woods for struts and braces be used to create a 'complete' overall feel for the guitar - or is this all to do with tone? Again sorry if this is stupid question

[Laurent Brondel]

Braces are typically cut out of spruce, it's hard to beat for weight-to-strength ratio and low internal damping. Some rare builders make a work of art with the inside with inlays etc.
However, IMHO form follows function. The role of struts is for structure and tone shaping, and the elements inside the soundbox should be as minimal as possible in order to fulfil those 2 tasks and no more.

[Haans]

In short: $$$.
Most hand builders fine sand the inside, maybe steel wool for final polish...
Anything else is superfluous. The inside is structural.

[Kent Chasson]

In a recent discussion about soundports with a client, he admitted that half the reason he liked it was so he could see inside the guitar. I agree with him that the inside of a guitar can be beautiful but in a different way than the outside. It's like how the structure of a bridge can be graceful and beautiful.

By the way, I meant "bridge" as in driving over, not attaching strings to, although either could work.

[architype]

I'm a modernist at heart, so I find beauty in the shape of things being determined by their job...again, as already stated above, (gotta plug an Architect), Louis Sullivan said it best "Form follows Function".
I'll also shamelessly plug another Architect, Mies van der Rohe, when he said "Less is more."

[taz2822]

I personally spend a lot of time looking either inside my guitar ( for my picks!!!) or adjusting the wheel controls on the pickups. I understand the form/function but designers now can make functional parts aesthetically really cool. I'm looking at my Gibsonj200 which has the most amazing flamed Koa back and the inside koa looks like balsa wood! When I commission my build I would like to think that i could have the inside could looking good too - unless it affects the tone and sound of the build.

[Marley]

A question to all of the luthiers. How important is the "cleanliness" of the inside of your guitars. I'm meaning, glue squeeze, perfectly cut kerfling for the braces, just making it as clean as possible. Does it come pretty naturally when building a guitar or do you have to work at making the inside just as clean as the outside? I first noticed the inside of an acoustic guitar when I first picked up a Taylor in the late 80's. I was amazed at how clean the inside was. At this point I still enjoy clean insides, but the tone of the guitar is most important.

[cotten]

The inside of my new McKnight is a thing of beauty, though I'm certain that Tim's purpose was to maximize the tone. Tim's attention to craftsmanship is evident even in the unseen parts of the guitar - Mary's many pictures of the build process chronicle that in amazing ways.

cotten

[taz2822]

can you post a pix or a link?

[Kent Chasson]

Originally Posted by Marley

A question to all of the luthiers. How important is the "cleanliness" of the inside of your guitars. I'm meaning, glue squeeze, perfectly cut kerfling for the braces, just making it as clean as possible. Does it come pretty naturally when building a guitar or do you have to work at making the inside just as clean as the outside? I first noticed the inside of an acoustic guitar when I first picked up a Taylor in the late 80's. I was amazed at how clean the inside was. At this point I still enjoy clean insides, but the tone of the guitar is most important.

Most of the vintage guitars that are valued for sound look pretty rough on the inside compared to modern instruments. Not uncommon to find saw marks, glue squeeze-out, etc. So it's not important for sound.

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by taz2822

can you post a pix or a link?

Ask and ye shall receive -
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...=227679&page=4

Although I am in the vast minority of custom builders, I do apply a "sealer" to the interior of our sound boxes. It does have a few functions beside looking pretty

[taz2822]

cheers, looks nice.

[fitness1]

I'll make it easier....

[gstring]

I for one, really like the contrast between polished and sanded. No focal point confusion. Also......I think too many builders underestimate the asthetic value of a well designed and placed label.

dgd

[psynackerz]

The inside of a Kevin Ryan is something to behold. His bracing makes it look very art deco