Magic Tape

So, last Saturday I had an opportunity to meet the folks of the Knoxville Guitar Society. After a great concert by virtuoso guitarist Matt Palmer, I headed to the society's founders home where I had a great opportunity to try out some excellent guitars. For the first time ever, I had a chance to play a Felta and Ramirez guitar. Until then, I had only seen these maker's guitars in books and videos online, and couldn't help but wonder what the fuss was about. Bottom line, the Ramirez was an incredible guitar, however, for me, the Fleta left something to be desired.

I would hope that being a luthier could at least give me an educated guess about what it desired, but I would have never thought up what happened next. Matt said to Larry, "Show Zeb the scotch tape trick" and without a moments hesitation we were applying a strand of Magic Tape above the soundhole to a Fleta. I will say that again...We were applying a strand of Scotch Tape to the top of a 1960 something Fleta guitar. 

"If you stick the tape in that spot above the soundhole it works on every guitar I own - makes them better" said Larry. After about one hour of testing, I had concluded the same. 

I am not sure what this says about the hours of work luthiers place into making the perfect instrument, only to be somehow enhanced by the application of "Magic Tape." I guess that it says something about the delicate balance at stake when constructing a guitar or at least something about the acoustic properties of Scotch Tape.

I know one thing is for sure - If I ever have any complaints about the sound of my guitars I am just going to respond by sending one lonely roll of Magic Tape in the mail. (not really, but its fun to think about)