The O-Port for acoustic guitar seems like a interesting product to take a look at. The end result of this item is to enhance and sharpen the sound of ones’ acoustic guitar. The other neat improvement that come with using an O-Port is that it helps conquer feedback when performing live through a PA.
To understand how you can install this accessory on your guitar check out the video below. I found the way he uses the capo to keep the strings in place while taking the strings off is a neat little trick.
I first saw this thing in the July issue of Acoustic Guitar. At first I was skeptical. It comes in 2 sizes and comes in 2 colours, black or ivory. Most of the reviews that I’ve seen online about the O-Port states that it does enhance and adds clarity to your top end as well as the harmonic/sonic tones. The mids of your guitar seem to be brought to the forefront of your sound which I tend to focus on a lot when gigging through a PA.
The only drawback, which I found mentioned only once in my search for product reviews, is how the O-Port affects the bottom/bass end. It appears that it dampens the bass end sound that is created from the top or front of your guitar. See some, but not all, of your bottom levels comes from the vibrations that are created top of a acoustic guitar. The other way is from the sound bouncing around the insides of your guitar that comes out of your sound hole or port.
Sometimes too much bass from the guitar brings on more feedback in weird sized rooms through a PA. Considering that this device is attached directly to the top of your guitar, it makes sense that it would stop the top from vibrating.
This invention would fit into my Larrivee perfectly. The pickups that I use would not be affected at all. If your acoustic guitar uses a side mounted system like a Fishmen Ellipse Blend or something like a L.R. Baggs M1 SERIES – PASSIVE PICKUP, then this one is not for you!
I have to say that I’ve never used or seen the O-Port in action. The effects from this accessory appear to be interesting enough that I entered a contest to win one. If I win one, fingers crossed here, then I’ll tell you all what I think about it! So …
Keep on Jammin’
