3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Full Version)

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JBASHORUN -> 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 20 2007 20:15:55)

I'm familiar with some guitars having 3-piece backs... I'm not sure WHY this is, is there any particular reason for it, or is it just cosmetic? Anyway, I noticed that one of my guitars (a classical) also has a 3-piece SOUNDBOARD. The joins are very subtle- visually, you'd hardly know if it weren't for the slight ridges in the lacquer. Now surely a 3-piece soundboard MUST have SOME effect on the sound, que no? And I was recently browsing on Ebay and spotted a guitar with a FOUR-piece soundboard (picture attached). Again, is this going to make a difference, and if so what?

Any enlightenment appreciated!

Jb



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jshelton5040 -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 20 2007 22:36:12)

Well if you're going to make a four piece top at least use wood with very little runout. That is really ugly!

John Shelton



JBASHORUN -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 20 2007 22:49:07)

I think thats just because they've used opposing grained pieces of wood next to eachother. Its probably not so noticeable when in normal light. But you're right, it should at least be matched.

Jb



jshelton5040 -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 21 2007 14:48:54)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JBASHORUN

I think thats just because they've used opposing grained pieces of wood next to eachother. Its probably not so noticeable when in normal light.


I disagree, I suspect those pieces of wood are book matched but the wood has a tremendous amount of runout. You get this effect when you saw straight pieces out of either curved or twisted billets. Runout is extremely common in spruce since the trees tend to grow in a twist. The only way to avoid the apparent difference in coloration (actually reflectiveness) is to flip one panel end to end before gluing.



pablo requena -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 21 2007 19:49:32)

Hi James

I guess you heard of Torres. He sometimes used more than two pieces soundboards mainly because he didn't have the money to buy anything better, but he still built instruments of great quality.

You might find interesting the book that Romanillos wrote about Torres. I think he explains why Torres did this and the effects of it.

Pablo



JBASHORUN -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 21 2007 20:13:47)

Gracias Pablo. Yes, I'm very familiar with Torres. I will try and track down a copy of the book to see what it says on this subject.

James



Haithamflamenco -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 22 2007 15:21:25)

i belive its to use more of wood pices availabel and cut out the price,

in zavaletas web page , there is an interview with Pedro Maldonado , about bulilding concert guitars with low prices,

there is Andalucia 1a Concert Models fro 2500 euros, one of ther reason that the guitar is on affordable price is the three pices back,

"The Andalucia model uses master grade Spanish cypress for the back and sides, but is made with a three piece back-- allowing the use of narrower, more affordable cuts of wood. "

here is the link;
http://www.zavaletas-guitarras.com/files/Maldonado-New.html

haitham
[;)]




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stephen hill -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 22 2007 15:35:11)

I think it is really a question of economics, sometimes us luthiers are so broke we cant afford the next lot of timber!
A four piece front , if the timber is good shouldnt really have any effect on the sound. I wouldnt use one as I feel that the joint should be supported there by a central fan although if the joint is good it shouldnt matter also. Visualy I think the 2 piece is more pleasing. As for 3 piece backs I really like these anyway, they give a style to the guitar different from the 2 piece.
It sometimes seems funny to make a lesser priced guitar, say 2500 rather than 3500 because of the quality of the timber. The work is the same unless you also cut corners in the construction and the difference in cost of the materials isnt so huge.



flamenco_9 -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 22 2007 23:06:48)

what about oud and lute the back is maybe 19 peices.
anyone tryed to make a guitar with back like oud or lute lots of wood stips with different kinds of woods....would the sound be richer?



Jim Opfer -> RE: 3 and 4 piece soundboards? (Apr. 23 2007 21:41:43)

quote:

what about oud and lute the back is maybe 19 peices.


I guess that comes from having to make the extreme curvature back which would be impossible to make from anything other than segments.



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