Why Do You Make Square Guitars?

[@UGPepe]

good craftsmanship, I see that you ain't cuttin' any corners building these :)

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Ha!

[@RAXITH_playz]

Lol😅

[@jonniiinferno9098]

LoL - nice one !!!

[@dunbarcustomsound]

Clever 😂

[@blackbudgrande2117]

Get out!

[@Cmoth040]

Just the ability to set the guitar down without it falling over, not having to prop it against something, is a selling point.

[@Trombinha_jooj]

True

[@yeboscrebo4451]

I was going to say the same

[@Woodstock271]

Great point. How many times have you propped up your guitar and just kinda knew it would fall over, or the slightest touch from anyone would definitely send it crashing down? Kinda stressful keeping an eye on everyone as they’re all potential suspects. So is the damn wind when you’re outside. But this squared guitar will stand on its own pretty much anywhere.

[@johnmccormick8159]

It would be cool if the headstocks were also rectangular.

[@jaimedelgado7529]

Found the Minecraft ethusiast

[@roterfuchs8201]

Wondering how many comments down til minecraft mention@@jaimedelgado7529

[@Trombinha_jooj]

And also the strings 💀

[@mexguit]

And the sound hole

[@MrRoundwound]

@@mexguitand the tuners

[@graysaw]

And they stand on their own!

[@sobeit1927]

That’s a great point . Personally I like them but think they would be more aesthetically pleasing if the corners had a small radius to soften them a little from the geometric sharpness . I do understand that this would make them much more difficult to build though .

[@russell2910]

When you play guitar the neck should be at an angle so the headstock is pointing somewhat upwards. These guitars are not good to play , but yeah, you can put them on the ground really good.😅

[@mr.giggles4995]

Only time will tell if it'll stand the test of time

[@iaminsfiredbytrustfration8502]

@@mr.giggles4995that’s good

[@caseysmith544]

@@sobeit1927 I would think a sanding of corners after box is made would work as easiest option.

[@JDN_OrNothing]

I’m sorry, but I giggle uncontrollably every time he picks up the Minecraft guitar.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Happy I could bring a smile to your day.

[@JDN_OrNothing]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 haha in all seriousness, truly beautiful work! 👏

[@letsdothis1543]

It took a wood plank, a stick, and string to make them

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

@@letsdothis1543 if that's what you see. . .

[@mouloudagaoua]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 he didnt mean to say its easy he meant the recipe in minecraft that could produce that

[@RodrigoFernandez-td9uk]

Granny had a very old circular (cylindrical) guitar. I loved to play on it. One day it broke, and instead to take it to the luthier, someone just threw it away. It was 30 years ago and I'm still angry.

[@dongkhamet1351]

Do you mean circular/ cylindrical like a banjo, or with the cylindrical body following the direction of the neck?

[@RodrigoFernandez-td9uk]

@@dongkhamet1351 Like a banjo.

[@dongkhamet1351]

@@RodrigoFernandez-td9uk Allowing that there's no replacement for a family heirloom like that, perhaps you could make a copy or have one made.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Bummer!

[@vincent080888]

Take comfort in the strong possibility that somebody else with dreams but no money found that guitar in the trash, fixed it up and found love. This is how I got my first guitar. Nore: It wasn't round so I know it wasn't yours 😉

[@cchavez248]

Nice rundown as to the advantages of building recrangle guitars but I wish you would have given it a few flatpicked strums and plucks.

[@TheWaylon1964]

agreed

[@allrequiredfields]

Lol, people for some reason always think we'd rather hear talking than the instruments themselves.

[@Mr.Blister1960]

ditto

[@kevinbarry7055]

Intriguing concept. Would have liked to hear about more of how it sounds.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thanks. I made this video for my website to provide some specific information on "why". I have a few other videos with more complete sound samples.

[@lordcoco_]

love the natural sound port on the top!!

[@DrTacoPHD665]

I would love to see one with an equally rectangular cutaway

[@Hofmeister.Guitars]

Second this! A ‘Utah’ shaped guitar would be awesome!

[@kevindetwieler9212]

That's what I was thinking!

[@brunocerous]

I’d totally watch the extended geek-out version of this explanation! ❤

[@haroldyeager6124]

I started out build cigar box guitars. Still make them. But I have made my own boxes for license plate guitars as well. I’ve made a few of my own box guitars as well as using wine box guitars. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve never made two the same. I’m up to about 65 guitars now. I’m always taking on a new themes and ideas. It’s a great hobby.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Fantastic!

[@danemount6113]

Hello Harold, Im Dan. I love your idea. I typed in rectangle guitats just to see if there was such an animal and there you were. Do you have a demo because I would love to hear what they sound like.

[@haroldyeager6124]

@@danemount6113 I have a demo on one I donated for a benefit but I don’t know how to send it to you

[@dmmurray9422]

Squarepants is gonna love this idea!

[@TJJJJJJJJJJJ]

Wow the KZbin algorithm actually suggested something really cool for once. I really want to get my hands on one of these. My old mans a luthier so I’ve been mucking around building my own guitars (mainly electric) as a hobby since I was a kid. Great video 👏 all really interesting points, I definitely feel like I’m just about to go down another KZbin rabbit hole watching your videos I really want to hear how they compare so I may just have to steal your idea and have a crack at building one myself. I’ve got a bunch of spruce & mahogany boards laying around read to go Again Great video mate +1 subbed. And please feel free to “ramble on” about the pros & cons of square guitars that was all really interesting

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!! I definitely encourage you to try your own. Hit m e up if you have questions. I'm happy to share.

[@slinkytreekreeper]

I dig everything about this as a concept, especially the far, far simplified build but it would need at least an arm bevel/panel of some sort to be comfy to play.

[@byronbuchanan3066]

It's hip to be square.

[@JasonCan-wp2fu]

🪓🪓🩸🩸🩸

[@AlchemyMelbourne]

you could put a snare wire in one and have an on/off for it then lay it on its side and use it as a cajon (hitiing the back of it) when required. You could call it a Guijon 😀you can thank me later for the idea.

[@Someone45356]

Technically it already is a guijón. Peruvian cajones only put the snare wire for beginner cajonists to get an easy brighter sound, but its entirely possible to get it to sound good without the wire you just need the skill. Meanwhile flamenco cajones use the wire because thats how paco de lucia’s cajones were like

[@SchoolofRockNRoll]

in a universe where anything is possible, square guitars have to exist

[@stevesstrings5243]

I've built several cigar box guitars and have wanted to try my hand a building a guitar from scratch. I think a box guitar is the way to start. Thanks for sharing!

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Let me know if I can be of help!

[@stevesstrings5243]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 Thanks! I would love to see a video where you show how you build the bodies!

[@southernpride2003]

​@@boxwoodguitar3618 In my profile picture is my homemade electric guitar me and my grandpa built completely from scratch and yes it's covered in leather also inspired by Waylon Jennings telecaster and Luther Perkins flower design Fender Esquire

[@cbyron9308]

Per volume, a rectangle would have more surface area: volume ratio than curved shape, and thereby drive more air

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Yes. The internal air volume play a big part in all of this.

[@TheGuitologist]

Love it! Everything you say is correct.

[@CoolbyRiles]

They look cool but I feel like it would be pretty uncomfortable to hold😅 the reason guitars are curved is to contour around your leg and your arm can wrap around easily without having to rest on the sharp edge. I’m sure they’re a lot easier to make like that though.

[@paulpennington-mv7rt]

From another luthier, it all sounds good. And they stack a lot better.

[@jcarry5214]

Yeah, you're right it does make feeding the stove easier.

[@paulpennington-mv7rt]

@@jcarry5214 1000 bux @ a time? Not.

[@jcarry5214]

@@paulpennington-mv7rt it was a joke bro. Also he’s charging a thousand dollars for these? I think my respect level just went down.

[@paulpennington-mv7rt]

@@jcarry5214 There are jokes. And then there is straight on negativity. What would you expect for $1000? You get what you pay for.

[@jcarry5214]

@@paulpennington-mv7rt You're not the only instrument maker around here, chummy. And you're simply not correct. I do hope you keep trying to steer my words for the sake of your own insecurity, it looks great on you. I don't have a lot of an opinion about his guitars, I'm seeing a 600-800 dollar one based on what I can see and hear right now, giving it huge marks for tone I know isn't standing up on its own from unit to unit and assuming the details are a little better than what I can see. With the drastic reduction in labor and fitting I know I could do it one-off for myself well under 250 depending on materials, but whatever. I'm not being negative about it, just having an informed opinion. I will however be negative about you. You punish people for making conversation to feed your own ego. You're somehow mad someone approached you without deference. You judge other people's intent without knowing them. I get whiffs of BPD, maybe just narcissism. I bet you're great to work with. I bet you're already typing a reply talking about how long this was.

[@waltdavis29]

I just can’t get enough of this philosophy since I’m a ukulele builder! Also, I think, you have more of an art canvas for the instrument. I don’t mean wild thick paint jobs or anything that muffles the sound board, but little creative trucks. On the sides as well. Thanks for the email exchanges last summer, I appreciate you. I’ll be moving to California late this year so I hope we can visit 👍😊

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Definitely give me a shout when you get to California!

[@westpsmity]

I feel like if he were being honest, "because it's way easier" would have been the answer without the need for all the other justification.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Bending guitar sides for traditional shaped guitars is about as difficult as making toast.

[@Chicken_Wing91]

Could make an acoustic version of Bo Diddley’s guitar

[@nicksalvatore5717]

Very cool work of craftsmanship, thanks for sharing :)

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!!

[@CalamityHillMusic]

My grandad used to always call his guitar a racket box. Now I've seen the literal version.

[@benbanford_music]

I've had a box guitar made out of old library shelves for nearly 2 years now, been at every gig! Sounds gorgeous and isn't uncomfortable at all either Your guitars are awesome!

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thanks!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

You should tune the strings to the Dewey Decimal system.

[@matzer8846]

Love this box design Thanks a lot for showing and explaining your beauties

[@CalamityHillMusic]

Yet parlour guitars have some of the best acoustics i've ever heard. And they haven't got much "real estate" at all. I don't understand ?. Also, bass frequencies tend to gather in corners. What do the low strings sound like in contrast ?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Fair points! But I think you'd agree that the distinct sound parlour guitars is that there is a pronounced mid-range with less warm in the low end. I'm really aiming at a dreadnaught or OM style sound where that real estate is way more important. With regard to standing waves and bass response, it's good to remember that's how we think about how sound behaves WITHIN a room. With a guitar, we are really only concerned how it sounds OUTSIDE the instrument. If you've ever used a pickup with an internal mic, you know that, even in traditional guitars, a mic placed inside still sounds pretty awful whereas a nice mic placed 12'-14" away from the instrument sounds great. All that to say, after 150 or so rectangular guitars I haven't had any issues.

[@kevinscott3781]

Love them. That gives me ideas for my next project. Thank you very much.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Awesome. Happy to be a part of that loop.

[@alanfbrookes9771]

....it's also a lot easier.😂 By the way, not every instrument of the lute family has bent sides. The cittern often has carved sides. You just get a plank, cut out whatever shape you like, then cut the inside to follow the same curve. Glue the top and bottom on. You don't even need purfling.

[@swilliams2229]

Bending guitar sides isnt the hard part of building a guitar. The hardest part is making a decent neck.

[@shamimmiah2234]

a lot of lute / banjo like instruments are made of a vegetable like a gourd or pumpkin. No carving needed.

[@shamimmiah2234]

@@swilliams2229 there are enough broken guitars in the world that you can get unlimited necks for free.

[@tiltil9442]

​@@shamimmiah2234 no.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Yes. I suppose. Bending wood isn't terribly difficult. It does take more time. . .

[@dextersbeard3472]

They are very cool, i like that it wont fall over easily when you set it down. The only issue i really see is that the shape doesnt fit to your thigh like the traditional shape so it seems like it might be less comfortable when sitting down. Im sure when standing you dont even notice the difference. I guess id have to play it to see if it bothers me or not. Over all i think its really neat and they look well made.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

It takes a minute to get used to.

[@MusicPhysicsArt]

Super cool concept!! I think it's very innovative.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!!

[@stuco]

I'd love to get my hands on one one day.. Bo Diddley would definitely approve!

[@nebula_M42]

You could make a diagonal cut for the arm rest. Like get rid of the top back corner. It will still be rigid but it would look way cooler and make it easier for the right arm. Go full cybertruck... Call it the cybertar

[@CSProduction12]

Have you ever considered attempting to make an acoustic Bass guitar? It seems like having corners like that would really allow the low end to resonate if you made the body large enough... Though I might be totally wrong as the length of low end frequencies tend to be massive and require a room to be heard or develop correctly.

[@jameshamill4709]

I guess it sort of comes down to tone vs playability. The current design of acoustics is sort-of a happy medium between what's comfortable to play vs what is the most resonant. Great video!

[@DeclanBurger]

That body shape actually looks pretty cool, i was expecting this was a more cheap homemade style and a sorta one off thing, But you actually have a nice grain and its a proper guitar. Looks cool cheers for sharing!

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!

[@Stratboy999]

I think you are spot on. The overriding goal is to make the top and back resonate and be as active as possible. I was a bit cynical when I first saw these type of guitars but when you hear them it changes a lot of ideas. The only caveat is that the shape may not be the most ergonomic.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thanks. The more you dig into the physics, the more you realize the typical hour glass shape is more aesthetic and ergonomic than it is functional. To your point, the ergonomics are different for sure. I'm used to them now so it feels totally natural. . .especially standing with a strap.

[@alanfbrookes9771]

You can still bend thicker wood, just not as much. I build mountain dulcimers by soaking the wood for the sides and then clamping them into a former that I made, using C clamps. @@boxwoodguitar3618

[@jakubrogacz6829]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 if anything its only ergonomics 99%, but with guitar it would be nice to have top shaved off like in electrics too. it would make pick hand more comfortable

[@HayesTech]

I think you have created a very interesting guitar and all your points in creating a guitar are valid ones. There is no denying that from what I have heard, on the few videos on KZbin, your guitars sounds great. And you are using materials that would otherwise not be able to be used. I can't wait to be able to purchase one so I can create my own videos and review your guitar.

[@EJej-z5g]

What about about standing waves? They may produce some unwanted resonances in a box shape. You can suppress standing waves by adding inner walls, 45 degree rotated at corners, like inner bevelling. And you can leave gaps between top or back and these 45 deg walls to avoid volume decrease. As result instead of few strong resonances you would get several dispersed weaker resonances and this might sound better, less boxy, more rich.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

That was my concern too. . . before I started making them. One would expect standing waves and harsh reflections to cause wolf notes or even cancelation. 156 guitars later, it hasn't been a problem. One thing to consider. . . when we think about room acoustics, we are only concerned with how the sound behaves inside the room because that is where we are listening. Parallel walls and 90 degree corners are definitely problematic in that context. With guitars, we want it to sound good OUTSIDE of those four walls. Beyond that way of thinking, I don't have a scientific explanation for why it's not an issue. If you've ever used an internal mic on an acoustic guitar, you know that even traditional guitars don't sound great inside the instrument. The full color and tone happens 12" away from the soundboard.

[@reginr]

wow!!!!! have you made one that can remove the neck and stored inside? i love it!!!!

[@Chase-yz6nr]

Can you paint or get someone to paint Spongbob on one?

[@raphaelgomes2947]

Has Brandon Acker played one of these?

[@TBoneProductionsVB]

I could make some good use of that extra space too because I put a keyboard on the lower side to play while I thumb pick. I'm working on an acoustic version now where I'm combining a melodica and glockenspiel to install into the octave mandolin so this body shape would accommodate that well.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Love it!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

This was interesting, but you failed to mention either one of my first thoughts, as to the benefit of your rectangular design -- first of all the improved playing ergonomics, of being able to more easily rest the acoustic guitar on one knee, instead of it always tending to slide towards the waist curve shape... secondly, the HUGE gain in manufacturing and material efficiency (this is a Lean Manufacturer's dream -- you've added value, while also making the process far more efficient). I would be curious if the ergonomics can be further improved by making the bass side of the body thinner than the treble side, thereby imparting a slight angle to the soundboard/neck, and allowing the guitar to sit flat on the leg, instead of being angled to bear on one edge. Also, I find the idea of a rectangular 'semi-hollow body electric' guitar to be intriguing, for the same reasons (perhaps with F-holes for aesthetics, or simple straight line slits, if they work just as well). And how thin can you make these, before the sound is not so good? Two inches? An inch? Generally, in all things, it's best to get rid of unnecessary features, in favor of things that actually provide value/bang for the buck.

[@cheapskate8656]

I think the original reason for curves is that thinner wood can be used as the curved surface provides additional strength against stress from multiple directions. Same reason they put lots of curves in modern cars (much thinner panels). As far as tone is concerned IMO the top is the only part that really matters. The rectangle guitar should sound just fine. I would be interested in playing one. They look uncomfortable to play but I might be wrong.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Agreed. 100%. The comfort thing isn't a big issue for most people that try them. That said, in this current era of arm bevels and rib bevels they aren't going to be as comfortable as some.

[@AxUnderground]

I’m all in on this! The sound hole on the side is genius!

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!

[@BinaryJoe]

It makes good sense, it's the same principle as a speaker cabinet, really wxcept without the air movement; a bigger resonating chamber should equal better projection and tone.

[@johnharvey4life]

Another advantage is they won’t tip over as easily as a rounded guitar when you lean them up against the wall.

[@southernpride2003]

Hey Bo Diddley had a square-shaped electric guitar and he was awesome

[@adamchess4543]

The bent curve of a guitar side acts as a spring which increases resonance because it is resisting and reflexive to the tension of the strings, a flat side does not have that quality, a flat side may have the same tone but it will never have the same volume or structural integrity of a curve sided guitar, so there are reason for the curve beyond not being ugly.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

It's certainly true that a curved piece of wood will have more structural integrity that a flat piece of wood of the same dimension. As I mention in the video, I'm able to use a thicker, more rigid side because I'm not worried about bending it.

[@drewbarker8504]

Your explanation and showcase is fantastic! Totally makes sense acoustically and allows for any kind of decent new or found wood. (And looks rad. I think I’d dub this one thr “Knothole Special” 😂.

[@haystackhider7158]

Isnt the tones bouncing back and forward from wall to wall inside the square body?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Yes. I'm sure that's true. I was worried about standing waves and wolf tones but it turns out it's not an issue. We tend to worry about parallel walls and surfaces when we think of room acoustics and how a room will react when a sound is made inside of it. With guitars, we are really looking to make them sound good outside of the "room" or the box in this case. All that to say, in my experience (156 guitars!) having parallel "walls" isn't a problem.

[@deareeMusic]

interesting idea! would be down to try one sometime! definitely quirky

[@CarlosGonzalez-tx4cb]

You’re right. Guitars are a physics system. Therefore by making them squared, you can still build a great guitar as long as you know how to build a guitar and take those factors such as the square shape into account. Also, it makes you stand out!

[@Garflips]

All good. Creative and innovative. As one who generally amplifies their acoustic, I have to have my comfort and the classical positioning. But hey, here's an idea... How about using this design on a thinner body rectangular acoustic that has some sort of extension to soften the right forearm (assuming you're right-handed) and an extension on the knee side to hold it in a classical position while sitting down? Now you get more acoustic tone that is lost but the ergonomics of an "akoostasonic."😊

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Definitely could be done.

[@PacoMoreno-sh3zn]

I’d love to see a test of the top vibration to see if the extra real state is active. Also, the curvy shape is reminiscent of a human body, oddly cool. But I love this video and I’d love to try one of these beauties. I am curious as to how comfortable it is to hold one. The comfort vs sound quality is a real dilemma. Will o chose a better sounding guitar that’s uncomfortable to hold or a not so great sounding but more comfortable one???

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

All good questions. . .

[@briansmith9698]

boxwoodguitar can you do a video on building square shaped one process start from finish? Also can you build 12 string square shaped guitar?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I plan to make a video of a full build soon.

[@A.P.I.-2bon2b]

Thank you ❤ your guitars are beautiful 😊 AL

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!!

[@winterwingskyfall2846]

Honestly you managed to keep my attention and actually make me genuinely interested in this, you’re amazing!

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you!

[@jonniiinferno9098]

just found your channel - checked out your website - intrigued and interested in acquiring one of these for a good friend of mine

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Awesome. Thanks! Let's be in touch.

[@arateitall9241]

10/1000 of an inch? more woodthickness is better for vibration?

[@MasteringSilence]

I want to try one

[@coryfeldman-hz2yj]

I tried to explain why I didn't want to make acoustic guitars to a non musician friend. This might have changed my mind. I'm not really an a acoustic player. But this seems like a fun project.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

These are super fun to make!

[@culturetoronto]

Can I review one? Promise I'll love it forever ❤

[@niteshades_promise]

It will never fall over when you walk away.🍻

[@t23c56]

I'd love to hear what it sounds like! I can imagine that it would have some very very distinct resonant peaks as there will be some pretty strong standing waves in a rectangle!! Is it useable as an instrument to play actual full range songs?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Your concern is very reasonable. A room with parallel walls will have standing waves and resonant frequencies. I think the danger is applying that idea to acoustic guitars. We're not looking to make instruments that sound good inside the "room" (if we continue the analogy). We want them to sound good well outside the "room". In my experience (156 guitars!), standing waves, resonant frequencies and wolf tones aren't an issue. I know it's counterintuitive but I record and perform with these guitars all the time. No issues.

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

I'd buy one. Bo Diddley approved, that's good enough for me!

[@selvamthiagarajan8152]

what about rounding the corners, maintaining the rect shape, gives it a better aesthetics than the appearance of a box?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I've done that. It's definitely an option.

[@selvamthiagarajan8152]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 👌

[@mk_rexx]

I can't not imagine those as guitar-cajon hybrids. Have tried to make one? Lot's of surface for percussion

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I've made cajon but never combined the two.

[@PipeCat1965]

Just found this channel. I love your idea. Who needs a thigh rest curve? Get a strap. More options for attaching an internal mic. too. I am now coveting one of these...

[@Rebelcowboy2]

They easier to stand up too

[@Patrick11223]

You can make a guitar any shape if you want to. It would certainly be a lot easier to not have to bend and shape and cut the wood curves

[@ScratchdHelp]

i made an electric rectangle guitar out of an almost uncut plank from home depot, and yes, it plays really well, (i obviously bought the neck) and its my main guitar now!

[@jasoncross7819]

Amazing, these are beautiful! Have you crafted any with a square sound hole?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I have made a few but I always come back to the circle.

[@RevLeonPLeon]

This is a brilliant idea and excellent video. I have been thinking about building a rectangular upright bass. Quite inspiring.

[@MarleneWalker-su8ku]

Apparently it is very effective on those individuals that invade the stage, being heavier with angles 😂

[@jcollin]

Thank you for sharing

[@superlozen]

They look awesome! Just one question though, do you not get more specific standing waves that resonate only on specific tones and thus create an unequal tone response accross the tonal range? I would expect that round guitars are made this way to try and amplify more or less the whole tonal range equally, whilst with such defined and pronunced paralel walls at a very specific distance, I would expect this would amplify a much smaller and more specific range, yet cancel out specific resonances as well due to the standing waves? How do you get around that? All the best, MBY

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

You'd think standing waves would be an issue but, in my experience (161 box guitars), it hasn't been. A couple things to keep in mind. When we think of standing waves, we're typically thinking of how sound interacts with parallel walls INSIDE a confined space. With a guitar, we are only concerned with what it sounds like OUTSIDE that space. If you've ever used a pickup with an internal mic in a traditional acoustic guitar you know it still doesn't sound as good as a mic placed 8"-12" away from the body. All that to say the insides of guitars always sound funky. More importantly, the main interaction on a traditional guitar (or one of mine) is the interaction between the top and the back. People often refer to it as a sound pump. Traditional guitars taper in thickness from tail to the neck joint. There's also a slight radius to the back and most tops. I do the same thing on my guitars to add strength to those pieces and avoid having the two most important faces being parallel.

[@ConcreteBombDeep]

But how well do they survive a fall off the lap if they were to hit directly on the corner of the rectangular body?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Not something I recommend for any guitar of any shape. But to answer your question, no better or worse than a traditional shaped guitar.

[@dittmerg]

How comfortable are they to play sitting down?

[@RychaardRyder]

Do you have a online course for making guitars? I really feel like this could be an amazing thing to learn, and would love to try making one one day

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I don't. I do have a couple "full build" videos on this channel.

[@George-lq3yu]

Cool idea, but I'm partial to the beast known as the Les Paul. I also like the acoustic guitar as well they have great natural tone & are often Woody sounding.

[@ClassicalGuitarMusings]

Can you make a classical nylon guitar in this shape? Everything should be classical especially fretboard, 20 frets , etc

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I may try it someday. . . but it's a very different instrument in terms of bracing.

[@ClassicalGuitarMusings]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 ok thanks

[@briansmith9698]

I have been thinking about building square acoustic guitar for years.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

You should definitely do it!

[@lonewolffgrey8983]

cool bro, i can't wait to get 1...can u ship to Canada?

[@mattypow82]

Looks like a blast to play

[@abhisheksoni2980]

Okay, I was mentally not prepared to getting any scientific logic behind chosing this shape, but damn you had me with the first point. Amazing!

[@Davett53]

Wow!...Those are cool, unique and beautiful!.....Do they make guitar cases that fit them? Are they harder to hold, since they don't conform to the human body?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thank you. I don't find them uncomfortable or difficult to hold. . . but I've been playing them for years and I'm obviously biased. For cases, I use Mono and Gator Transit gig bags.

[@Davett53]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 Thanks!

[@seamusphelan228]

What are the sound qualities please.

[@LeeDonnelly-s6y]

I think they look amazing. I've always thought we cling far too dogmatically to traditional makes and models of guitar.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

Thanks! And I agree with the idea that we're too quick to assume the way it's always been done is the only/best way to do it.

[@31145_]

Great video, but why didn´t you play a G chord?

[@Rocadamis]

A cutaway would be nice. Presumably it would be a square in the bottom front corner.

[@briansmith9698]

boxwoodguitar if I paid you could you make me a kit with what I want to make square box shaped guitar? Dreadnaught Birch joined sound board and bottom and sides do you make the necks?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

You bet. Email me at stevedenyes (at) yahoo (dot) com

[@briansmith9698]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 Can get me estimate if tell you what want kit?

[@briansmith9698]

@@boxwoodguitar3618 I sent you a email few days ago

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

@@briansmith9698Sorry for the delay. I've been a bit swamped. I'll reply asap. Thanks for your patience.

[@williamhogancamp7716]

the thicker and more rigid the wood, the less it will vibrate. square corners and longer straight surfaces will create more unharmonic frequencies and expected more interference patterns that muddies and diminishes the primary sound and makes it less distinct. Just from a physics perspective this shape is not expected to elicit as pleasing of sounds. Sure some mahogany guitars may sound similar to the rectangular guitars but make a grand auditorium shape and a rectangular guitar out of the same woods and I guarantee you will heart a difference. That does not even include the bracing, the hole shape, and location which are other topics.

[@rabokarabekian409]

Empiric experimental citations needed for claims of scientific. analyses. Natural philosophy died int the late1800s. Frequency is about length and Young's modulus, bit shape, by the way. Do you pity those wretched pipe organs with rectangular bass voices?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

You're clearly skeptical. I understand. I like that you used the word "expected". That gives me hope that there is room for discussion here. One thing to keep in mind here is that the goal of an instrument is to sound good outside of the instrument. People like you and I that think about sound tend to think of flat surfaces and corners as problems because we tend to think of "room" acoustics. I've made plenty of traditional guitars and I've plenty of rectangular guitars. I can report that the problems you "expect" aren't what I have found to be true.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

With respect to the thickness and rigidity of the sides. . . if you take it to extremes you would be correct. But that's not what we're talking about here. I think I'm on pretty solid ground to say that there is a respected school of thought in the guitar-building community that favors a rigid side.

[@scottbaxendale323]

Parallel surfaces cause standing waves. The reason guitars are curved with a waist and the tops and backs are slightly domed has a lot to do with this problem. There should not be parallel surfaces if you want to maximize the sound.

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

That's all generally true. . . but here are a few things to consider. My guitars taper from the heel end to the neck and the the back and top are both radiused just as any traditional guitar would be. So, the the two most important plates aren't any more parallel than any other guitar. As I'm sure you know, that is where the majority of the sound energy is created in a guitar. There may be some interaction/reflection between the parallel sides but I would have to imagine (I'm not a physicist) that it is minimal compared to the interaction of the back and top. Beyond all that, I think it's important to consider that ALL guitars sound horrible inside the instrument. If you've ever used a pickup with an internal mic, you know that the same instrument mic'ed 12" away sounds way better. All that to say, with guitar building, we are concerned with how an instrument sounds "outside the box" not what it sounds like inside where standing waves would occur.

[@billsmith3042]

why not angle the sides still to make it deeper on one end?

[@boxwoodguitar3618]

I do that. A typical instrument will be 4.75" at the tail end and 3.75" inches at the neck.