Thanks Art! So the "simple" 1/4" jack guitar cord is not so simple after all. I wonder if I can find any difference measuring my setup exactly the same using both cord options. I think I am hearing a difference but no evidence yet, on the list!
Wait a minute - to save me going trough the thread again, what kind of pickup are you using? (Is there a post # with a block diagram of the amp/speaker system?) Is it a "traditional" electric guitar pickup with a coil and magnet? Or a piezo? (both are high impedance, but the piezo is even higher.) Since you've got an amplifier, for either one there's probably a buffer between the pickup and the amp, and the buffer output is where I would connect the 1/4" jack to go to an external amp or mixer/PA input. This would give full, flat response regardless of the length of the cord.
Thank you benb, I am using a Fishman RareEarth Humbucking Active Soundhole pickup and a Fishman Presys+ Piezo pickup. Both are powered by Roland AC-33 amp (30 watts 4 ohm) but I replaced the drivers with two (internal in guitar) 3" full range drivers: Tectonic TEBM46C20N-4B BMR - 20 watts 4 ohm.
To measure the difference would require picking exactly the same for each measurement, not very likely for a human, but could be done with a machine.
Jacob Stambaugh built an "AutoStrummer"
https://www.instructables.com/AutoStrummer/
Ok a little weird, but from a testing perspective, very functional and accurate (potentially). I do like the innovation, I wonder if this product went anywhere beyond the YouTube video. 🤔😉 Not that I know anybody that might be in the same boat. 🤣
https://katzenberger-engineering.com/
Above is the link to my newly published website, which also contains a link to the YouTube video. Hopefully everybody can access both, wanted to put it on diyAudio first. I will start sending to others tomorrow night and this weekend.
JJ - can you please let me know if you can access both, I would appreciate the feedback.
Videos are great, but man I still think it can't match live playing. Let's Make The Acoustic Guitar Rock!!!
Above is the link to my newly published website, which also contains a link to the YouTube video. Hopefully everybody can access both, wanted to put it on diyAudio first. I will start sending to others tomorrow night and this weekend.
JJ - can you please let me know if you can access both, I would appreciate the feedback.
Videos are great, but man I still think it can't match live playing. Let's Make The Acoustic Guitar Rock!!!
I can access the same video in the link above from your new website! Nicely done website design, very pro appearance. Explains a lot about your instrument and how it works, potential for enhancement. The sound level differences even show up well just using the laptop speakers, which I think will be the case for most viewers initially. Good job.
You may want to mention if you havent already that "demos sound best using quality headphones" to encourage your viewers in that direction.
You may also mention that the IMHO butt fugly top fasteners are present only as a prototype necessity, allowing you quick access into the guitar's innards. They are not a necessary part of the folded horn structure and would not be there in a manufactured version. Just in case someone viewing thinks otherwise.
Perhaps...perhaps let viewers know where in the world you are, in immediate connection with the expressed invitation to play / hear your instrument live. Chicago being a top US city and all; I'd expect several resident players to be interested and wanting to meet up at a venue where they could see and hear for themselves, situated where they play. Who knows what adventures lie ahead in connection with that!?
You may want to mention if you havent already that "demos sound best using quality headphones" to encourage your viewers in that direction.
You may also mention that the IMHO butt fugly top fasteners are present only as a prototype necessity, allowing you quick access into the guitar's innards. They are not a necessary part of the folded horn structure and would not be there in a manufactured version. Just in case someone viewing thinks otherwise.
Perhaps...perhaps let viewers know where in the world you are, in immediate connection with the expressed invitation to play / hear your instrument live. Chicago being a top US city and all; I'd expect several resident players to be interested and wanting to meet up at a venue where they could see and hear for themselves, situated where they play. Who knows what adventures lie ahead in connection with that!?
Last edited:
Thank you JJ! What are you, a mind reader? 🤣
All excellent comments. I do like the sound level differences on the video, but I keep reminding people, live volume differences blows it away. I mentioned before when I crank on 8-1/2 or 9 it rocks, but I truly notice the difference when I play with the horns off right away, I laugh every time, the difference is stunning! I don't laugh with joy when I hear the difference on the video. I like it for sure, but just not the same. Holding the guitar in your arms and hearing and feeling the power can't transferred to a video 100%, at least that is my experience with this guitar.
I considered talking about how this guitar video would sound much better through high quality headphones or speakers, but I did not add it, need to stop at some point. Now I kind of regret it, but I can always update my website with added info, and of course can communicate this to people that are seriously interested. Plus I thought: they already know this, don't get preachy. By far the best sound I heard was in the control room at the studio on their nice studio monitors. I was kind of stunned, it sounded wonderful! Still trying to get back to that, but many people listening on many devices, you know what I mean.
"butt fugly top fasteners" eh? It is true! I think they look pretty shitty also, BUT I love being able to take the top of in ten minutes, a conundrum! Something to think about/mention in the future. I REALLY like a top that comes off easy, especially with all the **** I have in the guitar! I took a glued top of a guitar before, hot sharp knife...it is not pretty.
Location? Well right now I am in Indy (actually about 40 minutes west in Crawfordsville, a small town). Wouldn't you know it, we just made plans in the last few months to move back to Chicago, very likely in the city. My wife just accepted a new job downtown, so the house will be on the market soon. Our daughters and other family live there, so time to go!
That said, I am not super interested in demos for this guitar for many people, just the people that can afford to buy the intellectual property, and they are in California, Japan, Nashville...maybe Chicago, other areas, you know. I will not send to the bigs until this weekend or next...started sending to friends tonight, just a few. I have some random hits in a few days, kind of OK, but just a start. The newest patent was issued this month, so technically I have twenty years of protection! 🤔😎
All excellent comments. I do like the sound level differences on the video, but I keep reminding people, live volume differences blows it away. I mentioned before when I crank on 8-1/2 or 9 it rocks, but I truly notice the difference when I play with the horns off right away, I laugh every time, the difference is stunning! I don't laugh with joy when I hear the difference on the video. I like it for sure, but just not the same. Holding the guitar in your arms and hearing and feeling the power can't transferred to a video 100%, at least that is my experience with this guitar.
I considered talking about how this guitar video would sound much better through high quality headphones or speakers, but I did not add it, need to stop at some point. Now I kind of regret it, but I can always update my website with added info, and of course can communicate this to people that are seriously interested. Plus I thought: they already know this, don't get preachy. By far the best sound I heard was in the control room at the studio on their nice studio monitors. I was kind of stunned, it sounded wonderful! Still trying to get back to that, but many people listening on many devices, you know what I mean.
"butt fugly top fasteners" eh? It is true! I think they look pretty shitty also, BUT I love being able to take the top of in ten minutes, a conundrum! Something to think about/mention in the future. I REALLY like a top that comes off easy, especially with all the **** I have in the guitar! I took a glued top of a guitar before, hot sharp knife...it is not pretty.
Location? Well right now I am in Indy (actually about 40 minutes west in Crawfordsville, a small town). Wouldn't you know it, we just made plans in the last few months to move back to Chicago, very likely in the city. My wife just accepted a new job downtown, so the house will be on the market soon. Our daughters and other family live there, so time to go!
That said, I am not super interested in demos for this guitar for many people, just the people that can afford to buy the intellectual property, and they are in California, Japan, Nashville...maybe Chicago, other areas, you know. I will not send to the bigs until this weekend or next...started sending to friends tonight, just a few. I have some random hits in a few days, kind of OK, but just a start. The newest patent was issued this month, so technically I have twenty years of protection! 🤔😎
Just mention it; perfectly reasonable explanation the shown instance being in a prototype stage. I assume most musicians / marketers are NOT mechanical engineers and may mistakenly interpret their presence as "part of the package". When the truth is, the top attach can be kerf'd and binded like any other acoustic.
I think one of those little floating text boxes added to the video saying "Metal fasteners seen are prototype only!" and/or in one of the pictures would suffice. Maybe with a little arrow pointing to them. Probably enough said. You can always add a paragraph explaining their convenience to you somewhere in your "how it works" written description.
Adding again for the weekend, I think the links might get lost in the convo, especially when I go ballistic verbally. 🤔😎
Website:
https://katzenberger-engineering.com/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD9kyPBoJP78ILhDOV4_VQ
Website:
https://katzenberger-engineering.com/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD9kyPBoJP78ILhDOV4_VQ
Does anybody on this site recommend the Audioholics site? Thinking about posting there, just curious if anybody cares to share.
Why not take it to show where the players hang out? https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/
Curious what % of "Audioholics" happen to play guitar? Maybe get more info about amps, speakers, measurement equipment and software...
Getting a few hits on YouTube, decent start, nothing crazy. Thanks much JJ, I will check out the AGF again. I posted something there years ago when my design was just hopeful, was way too early. Crickets from Yamaha this time, they did tell me they wanted to focus on their TransAcoustic Guitar, even thoughthey like my guitar concept. Time to email YouTube and Website to some of the other bigs!
https://katzenberger-engineering.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD9kyPBoJP78ILhDOV4_VQ
https://katzenberger-engineering.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD9kyPBoJP78ILhDOV4_VQ
Did they say that recently? Seems strange - I thought TransAcoustic was "done" as far as an implemented concept long put into production. While it makes the guitar louder in a sense, it's just the addition of an ambient effect into the acoustic guitar sound ordinarily radiated. It's not a straight up amplified guitar.
Go for a "younger" company, with more itch to differentiate themselves as a manufacturer. You can only make so many traditional instruments...
JJ - that comment from Yamaha is not recent, was from previous email string, just saying nothing had changed, no progress. I don't believe the TransAcoustic is done. I saw some comments about this on Reddit, but can't access the page, down for some reason. The TransAcoustic gets good reviews, even if you don't use it, still a very nice guitar, chorus is just not my thing. I agree it is not amplified, either is the Tonewood, both seem a little lame to me.
A younger company eh? All the young people I showed this to are very interested. When I had a small group of younger guys checking out my guitar as I explained it to them (at Chicago School of Guitar Making) they all asked many questions and were clearly into it, much more than guys (guitar players) my age.
I sent YouTube and Website links to Gibson last night, President/CEO and Chief Commercial Officer. I had to pay for their email address, worth a shot for sure!
I am seeing some YouTube videos about Gibson not changing, and turning off younger buyers, this just might be what they need for acoustic guitars. I have to admit Gibson guitars are so nice (at least they were), hard to change in that environment, but it still must be done. Where is the innovation? 🤔 😎
A younger company eh? All the young people I showed this to are very interested. When I had a small group of younger guys checking out my guitar as I explained it to them (at Chicago School of Guitar Making) they all asked many questions and were clearly into it, much more than guys (guitar players) my age.
I sent YouTube and Website links to Gibson last night, President/CEO and Chief Commercial Officer. I had to pay for their email address, worth a shot for sure!
I am seeing some YouTube videos about Gibson not changing, and turning off younger buyers, this just might be what they need for acoustic guitars. I have to admit Gibson guitars are so nice (at least they were), hard to change in that environment, but it still must be done. Where is the innovation? 🤔 😎
OK Crickets from Yamaha, Gibson, Taylor and Martin. I don't even know if the emails are getting through. They very well may use my method when I receive an email from somebody I don't know, delete! My high was getting a little bummed, but very early in the game.
Then Wednesday night this week I thought, what the hell, let's send it to Berklee College of Music, why not start at the top?
I can't share too many details, but a Classical and Jazz Guitar Professor of 30 years at Berklee responded this morning, said "a very unique and creative design, I am definitely going to share with my students and colleagues". They have people at Berklee that worked at Bose, Boston area connections of course.
I told him I would be happy to do a live demo, two minutes later I get a response, thank you for the offer! We shall see!
Then Wednesday night this week I thought, what the hell, let's send it to Berklee College of Music, why not start at the top?
I can't share too many details, but a Classical and Jazz Guitar Professor of 30 years at Berklee responded this morning, said "a very unique and creative design, I am definitely going to share with my students and colleagues". They have people at Berklee that worked at Bose, Boston area connections of course.
I told him I would be happy to do a live demo, two minutes later I get a response, thank you for the offer! We shall see!
You may want to show up with a better amp for your demo. A Quilter Labs "SuperBlock" looks about right; 25W. Or their 101 Reverb at 50W. The Superblock could be rigged easily to run on batteries, as it runs from a 24 VDC @ 3A AC input power brick - but I'm sure there's a devil in the details of doing that. The 101 requires an AC line...
It'd be a nice look, just your guitar, two cords (perhaps wrapped into one) to a new-fangled pedalbox looking amp on the floor. They'd get the portability advantage immediately. I'm sure busking in Boston is alive and well and popular with the Berklee students too. Who knows; maybe get taken down into the bowels of the MBTA - which actually has explicit performance locations for buskers - to see how it performs in situ.
At my playing level, I wouldnt touch the thing around those guys, except maybe to tune it. Then I'd hand it to someone like a roadie hands an instrument to the star of the show. Make sure it's got a nice strap with those keepers so the strap doesnt ever come off, without unscrewing the buttons.
Last edited: