Modifying F-Holes On A 5120

[Gregor]

Okay, the " 5120" Upgrade Ideas" thread inspired me to create this one. I see some folks are modifying the shape of the f- holes and then painting them to match the binding. Others use pin striping, which would be reversible. What are your thoughts, preferably with details on how you did it or would do it?

 

[thunder58]

I've seen anti-feedback plugs

Reducing Feedback on Hollow and Semi-Hollow Guitars | ProAudioLand Musician News

proaudioland.com

I believe " Dougs Plugs " is out of business

Doug's Plugs...

I use a Marshall DSL 40 or a Katana 100w 1x12 and play in a semi loud, rockin' band. Feedback as you would guess was tricky and the smaller the gig the trickier it got. I saw someone in a forum mention Doug's Plugs so I looked them up and could only find reviews by him. So I thought it's worth a...

www.gretsch-talk.com

 

[Baba Joe]

Once you’ve modified the shape of the f-hole, I would think that either paint or pinstripes are simply a matter of comfort level in applying. The modified f-hole is already irreversible so the modifier would either want to hi light his/her work or not depending upon the satisfaction level with the mod.

 

[wabash slim]

Okay, the " 5120" Upgrade Ideas" thread inspired me to create this one. I see some folks are modifying the shape of the f- holes and then painting them to match the binding. Others use pin striping, which would be reversible. What are your thoughts, preferably with details on how you did it or would do it?

I've never seen reshaped f-holes, tho that is a possibility. I'd still wonder "Why?"
I have seen pin striping done with a paint marker or the thin tape used on autos.

I've seen anti-feedback plugs

Reducing Feedback on Hollow and Semi-Hollow Guitars | ProAudioLand Musician News

proaudioland.com

I believe " Dougs Plugs " is out of business

Get an old pair of flip-flops (aka shower thongs) and an Exacto knife and make your own.

 

[Emergence]

Changing the shape of the f holes on a G5120 makes about as much sense as opening the wheel wells of a KIA. Why would you make an irreversible change to a well made product that doesn’t change its performance in any meaningful way? What happens when you decide you don’t like the change?

 

[Back in Black]

Okay, the " 5120" Upgrade Ideas" thread inspired me to create this one. I see some folks are modifying the shape of the f- holes and then painting them to match the binding. Others use pin striping, which would be reversible. What are your thoughts, preferably with details on how you did it or would do it?

Gregor,

Just my opinion, but stock configured F holes do enough on their own to weaken the top of the guitar.

''Modifying'' the shape only sounds to me like making them larger, not something I would consider doing.

Something else to consider is placement of inner body bridging and bracing, some of which is very close to the sound holes.

Damaging bracing/bridging will lead to real problems, not to mention, seriously de-valuing your guitar.

Suggest finding another project.

Best,

BIB.

 

[thunder58]

shower thongs

Eeewwwwwwww ..........

 

[Gregor]

I've never seen reshaped f-holes, tho that is a possibility. I'd still wonder "Why?"

Apparently some folks prefer the more pointed area at the top and bottom of the f-holes on say a 5420 than say the somewhat blunted ones on the 5120 (blow up the pics to see the difference).
I'm not so much interested in that as I am in just outlining the holes to match the binding as in the plc of the 5420 below compared to the 5120. Purely esthetics and pin striping or something similar would make it reversible.

 

[Gregor]

Gregor,

Just my opinion, but stock configured F holes do enough on their own to weaken the top of the guitar.

''Modifying'' the shape only sounds to me like making them larger, not something I would consider doing.

Something else to consider is placement of inner body bridging and bracing, some of which is very close to the sound holes.

Damaging bracing/bridging will lead to real problems, not to mention, seriously de-valuing your guitar.

Suggest finding another project.

Best,

BIB.

Hey BIB, you posted just before I did where I try to explain, not very well, why people modify the
f-holes. Nothing very dramatic, just a wee bit of reshaping at the corners.

 

[wabash slim]

Eeewwwwwwww ..........

TBH, I'd never wear those things out of the house.
I'd never wear them in the house either, come to think about it.
Listening to college kids wearing those for forty years (flap, flap, flap, flap) convinced me to forgo them. Last time I had a pair I was in the service fifty years ago.

 

[Back in Black]

Hey BIB, you posted just before I did where I try to explain, not very well, why people modify the
f-holes. Nothing very dramatic, just a wee bit of reshaping at the corners.

Hey BIB, you posted just before I did where I try to explain, not very well, why people modify the
f-holes. Nothing very dramatic, just a wee bit of reshaping at the corners.

Gregor,

First time I've ever heard of that being done.

BIB

 

[GlenP]

if you want to add a simulated binding, and make that shape give the appearance of a more pointy corner, without altering the wood top, maybe try cutting a vinyl sticker with a Cricut machine?

 

[Gregor]

if you want to add a simulated binding, and make that shape give the appearance of a more pointy corner, without altering the wood top, maybe try cutting a vinyl sticker with a Cricut machine?

That's beyond my capabilities but sounds interesting.

 

[Gregor]

Gregor,

First time I've ever heard of that being done.

BIB

Here's a recent post that explains and shows the results better than I can. It shows the pointed corners (hope it's not illegal to hijack the post).
It's what tweaked my interest.

 

[Back in Black]

Here's a recent post that explains and shows the results better than I can. It shows the pointed corners (hope it's not illegal to hijack the post).
It's what tweaked my interest.

Gregor,

I have no issue with the look but keep in mind, as well as cutting the wood, you're eliminating the integrity of the binding.

For what you're getting out of this minimal modification, and the damage you may be creating, now and in the future, I'd be inclined to leave well enough alone.

I'd also be concerned about getting a polishing cloth continually caught on the sharp point and pulling on the point every time the cloth does get caught.

If you crack/split the top of your guitar, you can't un-ring the bell, and paint, will never be binding.

If you really can't live without this modification, I wouldn't apply pressure with any kind of bladed tool. I would use a small drum sander/fine grit, attached to a Dremel, with just enough speed to keep the drum from stalling. Make sure all surfaces are marked/masked, and the guitar is properly covered.

Please be reminded that I did recommend, you leave well enough alone.

Best,

BIB

 

[GlenP]

Because of the plywood grain in different directions that will be a challenge to cut without splintering and tear out. I cut a hole for a battery door on the back of a
Center block jr with a few drill holes at the
corners and a key hole hand saw to connect the dots, it was not pretty. I cleaned up the edges with sanding sticks and medium and fine grit, but the edge is covered up by the battery door anyway. I would be afraid to cut into the top, but maybe just use fine grit sanding type tools and go really slowly.

 

[Gregor]

Gregor,

I have no issue with the look but keep in mind, as well as cutting the wood, you're eliminating the integrity of the binding.

For what you're getting out of this minimal modification, and the damage you may be creating, now and in the future, I'd be inclined to leave well enough alone.

I'd also be concerned about getting a polishing cloth continually caught on the sharp point and pulling on the point every time the cloth does get caught.

If you crack/split the top of your guitar, you can't un-ring the bell, and paint, will never be binding.

If you really can't live without this modification, I wouldn't apply pressure with any kind of bladed tool. I would use a small drum sander/fine grit, attached to a Dremel, with just enough speed to keep the drum from stalling. Make sure all surfaces are marked/masked, and the guitar is properly covered.

Please be reminded that I did recommend, you leave well enough alone.

Best,

BIB

Okay BIB, I've succumbed to your suggestion to leave well enough alone . To be honest I tried using pin stripe tape yesterday on one of the f-holes. It took me about an hour fiddling with it and coming up with language that I thought I had purged years ago, only to find out that it wasn't going to adhere well enough anyway.
Lord knows how I'd do with a paint brush. Lesson learned. Thanks for everyone's advice both for and against.
Maybe I'll just get a 6120 lol.

 

[loudnlousy]

You did the right thing.

 

[fast960]

Okay BIB, I've succumbed to your suggestion to leave well enough alone . To be honest I tried using pin stripe tape yesterday on one of the f-holes. It took me about an hour fiddling with it and coming up with language that I thought I had purged years ago, only to find out that it wasn't going to adhere well enough anyway.
Lord knows how I'd do with a paint brush. Lesson learned. Thanks for everyone's advice both for and against.
Maybe I'll just get a 6120 lol.

Take the pinstripe and use it to mask around the f-hole, rough up the surface a bit with some 320 grit sand paper then paint your desired color and later remove the masking ..... the pinstripe should adhere better when the area is cleaned with some naptha(lighter fluid) .... test your color before painting you may need to add a touch of brown to the white to get desired tone .... you could also glue in some real binding ... its done in 4 segments and prebent with a hairdryer and taped into place while fitting and then gluing ... the binding would naturally make the area you desired to modify more pointed ....

 

[Back in Black]

Okay BIB, I've succumbed to your suggestion to leave well enough alone . To be honest I tried using pin stripe tape yesterday on one of the f-holes. It took me about an hour fiddling with it and coming up with language that I thought I had purged years ago, only to find out that it wasn't going to adhere well enough anyway.
Lord knows how I'd do with a paint brush. Lesson learned. Thanks for everyone's advice both for and against.
Maybe I'll just get a 6120 lol.

Wise choice Gregor!!

Best,

BIB.