Installing a side sound port on an uke that's already built can be done but it's not for the faint of heart. Ideally, a patch off cross-grain wood would be glued to the inside of the bout where the SSP is to be located for reinforcement. Alternatively, small braces can be glued on either side of the hole after it's cut but that's really not the best solution. In any event, a hole pattern is made and drawn on the desired location and a series of small holes drilled well within the line. Afterwards, sandpaper, a rasp, or what works very well is a 1/2" sanding drum mounted in a Dremel tool, to finish the hole to shape. Seal the end grain of the hole with lacquer. Of course you risk screwing the whole thing up and ruining your uke in which case I never wrote this. Good luck.
Me, neither. My Pono and my Mainland are my two best ukes. (Not exactly rolling in dough here.)That being said...
Would I cut a soundport in my Pono?
Hell no.
That made me laugh. But yeah, seriously, Maybe you should experiment on a $10 no name uke you found at a yard sale or flea market before you risk ruining a good uke.Of course you risk screwing the whole thing up and ruining your uke in which case I never wrote this.
anyone have tried making a soundport on a pono mahogany tenor? is it safe and easy to do?
Why would you do this?
The Uke is signed with a specific size sound hole for it's volume,
It's not the "place were the sound come out."
Adding a sound hole will ruin the Helmholtz Resonance,
unless for some strange reason the sound hole was too small too start with.
http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/Helmholtz.html
There is a difference between a sound hole which is on the sound board and a side sound port which is on the left upper bout. This opening directs sound at the player giving a much truer listening experience for the person playing it.
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Unfortunately, they are both holes in the resonant space.
If it's designed that way, the front hole will be smaller to compensate,
but if it's not, adding one will change the resonance of the body.
Also; the sound comes from the soundboard, not the hole.
The hole allows freer movement of the soundboard at some frequencies.
Seriously, have a look at this link:
http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/guitar/guitarintro.html#air
it explains it.
Maybe contact Pono and ask for guidance here? Please share any response.... making a soundport on a pono mahogany tenor...
There is a difference between a sound hole which is on the sound board and a side sound port which is on the left upper bout. This opening directs sound at the player giving a much truer listening experience for the person playing it.
Me, neither. My Pono and my Mainland are my two best ukes. (Not exactly rolling in dough here.)
That made me laugh. But yeah, seriously, Maybe you should experiment on a $10 no name uke you found at a yard sale or flea market before you risk ruining a good uke.