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PLEASE do not try this at home!!!!
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=7580		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Sam Price [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:38 am ]
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However, I did!!!

I was doing some internet research the other day in the quest to ingest more information on Luthiery, when I came across a little site of an independant luthier..(please do not ask me the site, I forgot to bookmark it!!!)

Anyway, he was told by an experienced luthier about a technique that can show whether your soundbox is constructed well or not...

You light a match, and place it near the soundhole. You tap the guitar, at the lower part of the body...if the match blows out with the force of the sound wave projection escaping through the soundhole, be very pleased and assured you have a quality constructed box!!

I'm delighted to say I tried this technique on my guitar box at 2am the other night and by jove, it blew out!!!

(But I woke my family with the sound of the fire alarms blaring!!! )

*disclaimer* Sam Price accepts no responsibility for shops all across the world going up in flames. *disclaimer*
Author:  vachterm [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:07 am ]
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Sam,
i saw it too some time ago.
think its over at the DIY channel site.
they have a tutorial on building a guitar and they mention this "trick".
keep in mind that nitro-cellulose and all sorts of other finishing supplies are extremely flamable!

Udi.
Author:  j.Brown [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 7:40 am ]
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This is the "Match Test" as Robbie O'Brien calls it in his class (although we usually use a lighter). It works well and it usually doesn't place the guitar in any peril, as you don't need to get very close to the sound hole. I would recommend doing it after its closed up, and prior to finishing it, though.
-j.
Author:  L. Presnall [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:09 am ]
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Lynn Dudenbostel. It was on the DIY network a while back....my eyebrows are growing back nicely...
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:44 am ]
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Author:  peterm [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:06 am ]
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very peculiar, I might ad!
Author:  Colby Horton [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:44 am ]
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I do it for fun. I don't think you can tell a whole lot from it. Some matches just blow out easier than others.
Author:  CarltonM [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:49 am ]
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Don't try this on old guitars with vintage "tone balls" in the box!
Author:  John Elshaw [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:48 am ]
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I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John
Author:  Scott Thompson [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:14 pm ]
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[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John[/QUOTE]

A Les Paul?
Author:  CarltonM [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:03 pm ]
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[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar...[/QUOTE]
Wow, she got the super deluxe model? You know, that's not a fair test, 'cause those come with extra hot air.
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:11 pm ]
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on a uke?
Author:  Sam Price [ Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:09 pm ]
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[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John[/QUOTE]



It depends how HARD you thump that soundboard!!!!
Author:  L. Presnall [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:32 am ]
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[QUOTE=John Elshaw] I tried this on my mom's $99 Esteban guitar, and the match blew right out. I'm curious what type of guitar wouldn't blow the match out.

John[/QUOTE]

$99 for an Esteban?!! Seems a little steep...
Author:  Dave Rector [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:38 am ]
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[QUOTE=L. Presnall] [$99 for an Esteban?!! Seems a little steep... [/QUOTE]

Must be the one Carlton is talking higher up in this thread.
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:50 am ]
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Is there any high end of those?
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:00 am ]
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Me thinks this test only shows if the air flow is sufficient and the box is sealed well. no tonal aptitude implied.
Author:  Sam Price [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:54 am ]
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[QUOTE=MichaelP] Me thinks this test only shows if the air flow is sufficient and the box is sealed well. no tonal aptitude implied.[/QUOTE]

I'm desperately trying to hold on to this Old Luthiers tale!!!

Well, doesn't it give a clue to projection and volume? The faster it blows out, the louder it is??
Author:  Michael Shaw [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:37 am ]
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This even works on cheap plywood guitars and stereo speaker boxes. So I don't think it proves anything. Just a cheap parlor trick to impress people.
Author:  CarltonM [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 11:47 am ]
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Now, if you're playing on stage and it blows out the lighters in the audience...
Author:  LuthierSupplier [ Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:36 pm ]
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Carlton, you crack me up
One of the CO Luthiers who has built over 350 guitars presses down on the bridge location after the box is complete. He looks for deflection of the whole area of the bridge and about 3" behind the bridge to go down also when the one small area is pressed. If the whole area doesn't go down, and just a very small area where you pressed goes down, then there is not enough deflection in the top. He then thins the edges more to get this whole area to go down. I have witnessed this same phenomenon on my last bouzouki, and it is one of the nicest sounding instruments I've played. His guitars sound fantastic too!
Tracy
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