When the earliest luthiers developed what is now the standard acoustic guitar body, it's pretty clear it didn't go through UX research testing. The soundboard and soundhole are built to project the sound of the guitar outward—toward the audience, away from the player—but did anyone stop to think what the player wanted to hear?
The latest acoustics in Gibson's Generation Collection seek to solve this age-old problem with the Player Port.
Taken from a design tucked away in Gibson's archives, the Player Port puts a second soundhole onto the body of the guitars. Located at the upper rim, the Player Port is like a sonic window into the inner resonance of the guitar.
There are four main acoustics in the series:
- G-00: With a smaller frame, the G-00 ideal for on-the-go playing, fingerpicking styles, and couch strummers. The most affordable, it retails for $999 USD.
- G-45: Slightly larger, the G-45 still offers a tight bass response, while mid-range and treble frequencies can be heard in exacting detail. It retails for $1,199.
- G-Writer: Equipped with an LR Baggs Element Bronze pickup, the G-Writer also offers greater access high on the neck thanks to a cutaway body. For these reasons, you might find it's as good as a performance guitar as a writer's tool. It retails for $1,599.
- G-200: The top of the line, the G-200 has an almost-jumbo body, but its slightly thinner size still lends itself well to songwriting and easy strumming. It also includes an LR Baggs pickup and retails for $1,999.
All of them come with the Player Port. Unlike other guitars with non-traditional soundholes, these Player Ports are in addition to the standard center soundhole. Gibson promises that it will will let you hear the inner workings of the guitar—deepening your understanding of the chords and notes you play.
In this way, Gibson is positioning the models as the ultimate songwriting and practice tool. In Gibson's words, "The Gibson Player Port allows you to hear the guitar’s nuances in more detail. Thus, creating a new and immersive sonic experience. The Player Port is kind of like having a built-in monitor right into the guitar. Now you can actually hear more of you!"
Want to make up your own mind? Learn more about the series or shop the collection here.