1. Can you really pack it in carry on size bags? see this: -
2. What's it sound like? Hear these:
3. How does it play?
Experience so far is that people adapt to the instrument easier than you would think and players move from the Eo folding guitar to a full size seemingly without much trouble. After all, there has existed a wide and eclectic range of guitar - type instruments for many years - electric solid body, electric semi acoustic, folk narrow neck, ukelele, mandolin etc - and people move from one to another in gigs seamlessly. The Eo is very light and handles easily.
The detachable side pieces are raked back at ~7 degrees to help represent a deeper volume. The guitar is approx. 75 mm deep overall.
It has natural balance at the 14th fret. Other silent guitars (non folding!) are unbalanced because the heavy machines are on the left, with no body to counterbalance - can be heavy on the left hand
An integrated knee prop is available as an option - helps to raise the instrument into a normal elevation. Of course a foot stool can be also used, although carrying this around on travels may be seen as a bit of a disadvantage - heavy and bulky.
In the end it is always best to try an instrument before you buy, and make sure it is for you.
4. Can a flamenco set up be achieved?
Yes a Flamenco set up - is possible, although this is not a standard off shelf model. Please email me to check availability. The neck dressing must be done carefully to get a buzz free progression along the frets naturally in a flamenco set up, more string rattle is accepted.
Specify if you want a flamenco set up before an order is placed.
5. What maintenance is needed on the joint?
After time, the joint may need a little lubrication using a solid grease or even candle wax. Oil can be used - but sparingly.
* Do not use too much oil as this can leach into the wood and cause staining.
A cotton bud dipped in the grease or oil and wiped over the curved segments of the joint is a way to apply a bit of lubrication.
Ultimately if the joint becomes damaged or otherwise can't be fixed with it assembled then the central block can be dismantled** by de-stringing the whole guitar and then removing the 5mm hex socket bolt with an allen key / wrench. This then allows inspection, cleaning/ lubing and replacement of parts if required.
** Not for those uncomfortable with tools!. Damage can be done to self and guitar in the process.
6. How do I adjust the tension in the tie- piece?
The "Protex" over centre lever clamp can be adjusted by screwing in, and out, its hook. Each full turn of the hook will change the length by about 0.7mm. Adjust the hook by rotating by half turn steps and checking the tension in the tie piece - the latch should close using finger force only and should not be overtightened.
Placing a 2-3mm diameter screw driver shaft into the hook is one way to get the clamp to rotate.
*DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE TIE - CABLE BY OVER SHORTENING THE LEVER CLAMP HOOK.
*Take care not to scratch the guitar body parts with tools- you may want to protect the body with cardboard.
*Take care not to pinch fingers when doing this work.
7. How do I adjust the action height?
See also - above. In a conventional set up the normal twelfth fret action is 3.5 mm nominal for a flamenco set up the figure is 3mm..
In the Eo guitar, the action height is influenced by the alignment of the joint as well as the usual guitar alignment elements of the neck, frets, saddle and nut height.
If the action height appears to have increased from the normal value range above, check first that the faces of the joint are being pulled up for face - face contact, by the lever clamp. See above item too.
If required the saddle slots can be trimmed to regulate action over a range of dimensions. Ultimately the neck angle can be reset using thin shims. The joint system is fastened using screws - quite serviceable.
*Take care not to pinch fingers when doing this work. Not for those uncomfortable with tools!. Damage can be done to self and guitar in the process*DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE TIE - CABLE BY OVER SHORTENING THE LEVER CLAMP HOOK.
*Take care not to scratch the guitar body parts with tools- you may want to protect the body with cardboard.
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8. What's the electronics?
In versions of Eo guitars with the built in electronics and volume control, this provides dual purpose amplification so that you can listen on headphones, or play Eo through a power amplifier (PA).
Eo uses a coventional piezo pick up in the saddle which connects to a two stage amplifier, which preserves the low frequencies and has a large dynamic range, as the piezo can produce high voltage swings.
The saddle is carefully set so that it has uniform contact with the piezo to preserve a balance sound level across the strings. If the saddle is removed, take care to keep that uniformity of contact.
Notes:
Some versions of Eo guitars are fitted with a push button switch and LED - to switch on the electronics.
Some have no push button and are switched on in the conventional way by plugging in a mono jack plug.
Some older Eo instruments have a 3.5 mm socket and provide a 3.5 - quarter inch jack adaptor (for line connection to a PA).
Some Eo instruments have a quarter inch socket and provide a quarter inch- 3.5mm jack adaptor (for connection to headphones).
An early decision was to keep to a simple, lightweight travel friendly electronics package and keep to a minimum of connectors. Here is a picture of the electronics area / battery with the cover removed:
The electronics are conformally coated with laquer to help tolerate condensation / moisture.
A 9 volt alkaline PP3 or MN1604 battery is used being the simplest way to provide a drive voltage which tolerates the quite high piezo swing. A rechargeable 9 v can be used, but the supply voltage is generally lower and may distort the sound.
With a good quality MN1604 battery more than 40 hours of life can be expected.
* preferably use manganese - alkaline batteries for longest life, or carbon for lowest cost (not recommended).
* do not play headphones at high level which can damage hearing
* do not use Lithium - Ion batteries.
* make sure the battery is connected correctly.
* do not pull excessively on the battery wires when changing the battery.
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9. Where is the Eo Guitar made?
The final assembly and suppliers of all the special custom components are in Hertfordshire, UK. Off-shelf commodity components are used elsewhere on the instrument.
10. Can the joint be used on a standard acoustic-bodied classical ?
Yes it can, with a revised clamping arrangement - although this is not an instrument I can currently supply as a standard. Make contact through the email address for this option.
Here is an example set into a spruce top classical:
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