How to Quiet my Guitar

[GSFV]

Short Version: can I make my semi hollow Starfire V quieter acoustically?

I have a NS Starfire V. It has been my go to guitar since Jan 2017. I’ve picked up a few new guitars since then but everything gets measured against my guild. I love it!!

I use a Line 6 Helix LT as my main rig. And I use headphones for my practice time. All in an effort to minimize volume. But it isn’t enough. I have 2 kids (2, and 3 months) so I mainly practice while they’re sleeping. But as a heavy handed player, the acoustic volume is too loud. It wakes them up even with their sound machineon.

Now for my question - can I make the guitar quieter acoustically without effecting it’s amplified sound? I have found myself leaning towards other guitars because they’re solid bodies and thus quieter. But I do still prefer my SF and would like to be able to use it more.

Any non permanent mods are welcomed. But I need it to be reversible. I am nervous to change anything permanently because I love it so much!

 

[gjmalcyon]

Find some soft foam or cotton batting and stuff it in the f-holes while you practice. Yank it out when you gig.

 

[GSFV]

Something like this?

 

[GSFV]

Do you think doing just the top “wing” would be sufficient? I don’t want to mess up the electronics if I’m taking it out regularly. Or should I not worry about the adding/removal?

 

[gjmalcyon]

I was thinking something relatively soft and compressible - like upholstery foam. Cut it out in the shape of the f-holes. You might find that simply blocking the f-holes is enough. I don't know that I'd stuff the cavity - I'd just block the f-holes.

 

[geoguy]

You could temporarily cover the f-holes with low-tack painters tape, to see if that reduces the sound enough. If so, then maybe make your own f-hole plugs from thin sheets of craft-store foam. (Doug's Plugs appears to no longer be in business.)

This post on the jazz guitar forum suggests one method for making your own f-hole foam plugs:

DIY f-hole plugs

Note that these are more-commonly used to reduce feedback, but perhaps they could help quiet your guitar, too.

 

[walrus]

I love how my Sadowsky sounds acoustically, as I did with a few Bluesbirds, Starfires, etc. I sometimes have the same issue as you, but I just go further away!

walrus

 

[Tom O]

On an acoustic I learned to lace a tissue or paper towel between the strings at the bridge. May work on an electric.

 

[Guildedagain]

Find very small pillows and stuff them in there ;[]

 

[AcornHouse]

DON’T use low tack or painter’s tape for extended periods. It can affect your finish. It’s fine for short periods, but stuffing some foam is a far better solution that will also dampen the sound more than tape. Any fabric store or store with a fabric/sewing department will carry 1” foam (the green stuff) which will be ideal.

 

[GSFV]

Not sure how I feel about painters tape. I know the poly finishes are tough (for better or worse) but I don’t want to leave any tacky residue behind. I’ll look for some foam at a sewing store. As well as the cotton batting.

should I skip stuffing the section with electronics? Just stuff the empty cavity? That’s my initial thought/concern at least.

 

[AcornHouse]

Not sure how I feel about painters tape. I know the poly finishes are tough (for better or worse) but I don’t want to leave any tacky residue behind. I’ll look for some foam at a sewing store. As well as the cotton batting.

should I skip stuffing the section with electronics? Just stuff the empty cavity? That’s my initial thought/concern at least.

Since it’s just the acoustic sound you’re wanting quieter, just put some of the foam in the f-holes, no need to completely fill the insides, that will leave you a nightmare trying to get it all out, and you risk knocking a wire loose. I would cut a 2” wide section of the 1” foam however long the f-holes are and stuff them with that, leaving about 1/2” sticking out. Easy in, easy out.

 

[geoguy]

My intent re: painter's tape was to leave it on for only a few minutes while you decide whether covering the holes is enough to quiet that guitar. Not suggesting it as a long-term fix.

 

[wileypickett]

Put a sock in it, why doncha?!

 

[GSFV]

Since it’s just the acoustic sound you’re wanting quieter, just put some of the foam in the f-holes, no need to completely fill the insides, that will leave you a nightmare trying to get it all out, and you risk knocking a wire loose. I would cut a 2” wide section of the 1” foam however long the f-holes are and stuff them with that, leaving about 1/2” sticking out. Easy in, easy out.

That makes sense! I’ll look into it. Thanks.

 

[GSFV]

My intent re: painter's tape was to leave it on for only a few minutes while you decide whether covering the holes is enough to quiet that guitar. Not suggesting it as a long-term fix.

Right on. Thank you for clarifying. If I can’t find foam quick enough I’ll give that a go as a rest run.

 

[GSFV]

So I tried the cotton batting. And it doesn’t seem ti have made much effect on things. I was surprised (and disappointed) by how much I was able to fit in there without being able to hear much of a change.
I have been looking but haven’t been able to find any kind of foam except the hard brick kind. Florafoam that people use to pose decorative flowers and such. But I don’t see how I could get that through the F hole. Am I missing something?

I only did the “top cavity” (without any electronics) so maybe that’s it? Regardless it still feels like I’m missing something. Lol.

 

[crank]

I've actually used blue painter's tape to cover the f holes on my Epiphone hollow body. But that was for a few band practices and 1 gig. And I only used to to cut down on feedback. I did take it off after each session. Worked fine. 0 residue. Not gonna make your guitar appreciably quieter. Just use a solid body for practicing.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

You need soft polyurethane foam. Do you have a local upholsterer store near you?

 

[geoguy]

Also, if you simply want to cover the f-holes, try thin pieces of EVA foam that should be available at many craft stores (see my previous link to a post on the jazz guitar forum).

Or buy a tele for late-night unplugged practice!