Unusual / Alternative F-Holes?

[BassHappy]

 

[Reedt2000]

Here's a few more

 

[Bob_Ross]

Linc Luthier's f-holes were always unique and subtle:

 

[BAG]

Many thanks to the OP for starting this thread.
As I mentioned before I want to lighten the weight of my Tele-shaped guitar and was thinking about an F hole of some sort but wasn't sure what would work. I plan to get quite a bit of wood routed out from behind and here is the before and after photoshop mock-up that I've come up with. I'll also need to find a black-red two ply or black-red-black three ply pick guard and i'll get the holes outlined in red pin stripe.

 

[Beej]

Many thanks to the OP for starting this thread.
As I mentioned before I want to lighten the weight of my Tele-shaped guitar and was thinking about an F hole of some sort but wasn't sure what would work. I plan to get quite a bit of wood routed out from behind and here is the before and after photoshop mock-up that I've come up with. I'll also need to find a black-red two ply or black-red-black three ply pick guard and i'll get the holes outlined in red pin stripe.

View attachment 3561020

I did nearly exactly your plan on my brother's tele. I planed about 3/8" off the back, routed out large cavities in the "wings" and behind the bridge (left the center a solid block), glued back on a 1/4" back, rerouted the roundover and then he had it professionally refinished. No tonal changes, but it lost around 2lbs...

 

[BAG]

I did nearly exactly your plan on my brother's tele. I planed about 3/8" off the back, routed out large cavities in the "wings" and behind the bridge (left the center a solid block), glued back on a 1/4" back, rerouted the roundover and then he had it professionally refinished. No tonal changes, but it lost around 2lbs...

That's great to hear as it's exactly what I was hoping to achieve. I'm a little concerned about possible resonance frequencies due to the cavities but this thing is so solid I'm hoping that the solid block will be fine.

 

[Beej]

Here's a few more
View attachment 3560384

That is really, really cool...and is inspiring an idea or two...

 

[Reedt2000]

That is really, really cool...and is inspiring an idea or two...

That pic was the winner of a cigar box guitar sound hole contest. It was the only pic from that contest I could find (it happened 5-6 years ago) cause I was curious to see the other entries. I dig its organic quality, it looks like it grew in the instrument.

 

[Reedt2000]

This Drozd just popped up in the classifieds

For Sale - Jerzy Drozd Obsession Legend

(No affiliation with the seller)

 

[eddododo]

 

[Watchootognbout]

Tune makes a real looker.
The WB6

WB5

WB4

Of course.....I've always been partial to Tune basses!

 

[B-Mac]

Anyone got an example of an instrument with a non-traditional f-hole (sound hole)? I'd like to see what has been used instead of the traditional f-hole. Got a pic? Post it up!

This is kinda unusual as it appears to be backwards from other F Holes in same placement area.

 

[BAG]

I'd forgotten about this thread.
My Tele project turned out good enough and it no longer neck-rises like it used to when played on the knee due to such a heavy body. It's still quite a heavy guitar but has dropped a lb or so. I can't hear any difference in the tone and wished that he'd taken even more wood out.
I also wish he'd done a decent paint job as it really wasn't very good, to the point that I have deliberately bumped it against things to try and get a bit of a natural relic look.
Overall i'm pretty happy with the result.
As a designer once said, if you can't make it beautiful, make it unique or memorable.