Acoustical differences between treble guitar strings of different tension (i.e., gauge).

Abstract

The thickness of a guitar string has a complicated effect on the overall sound of the instrument, affecting the degree of inharmonicity in the tone. [Fletcher et al., (1991).] Different players also select strings of certain tensions because of their perceived qualities such as brightness and loudness. The acoustical differences in the sound and sustain of plucked nylon guitar strings as a function of string tension were measured in an effort to quantify these differences. The open string, fifth-fret, and 12th-fret harmonic waveforms of the treble (G, B, and E) strings were studied for sets of strings with different tensions. Only treble strings, made of a monofilament pure nylon strand, were studied. The levels of the first ten harmonics relative to the level of the fundamental were measured for each sound on each string, as well as the duration of the sustain in each case. Patterns in the sustain times and spectra as a function of string gauge will be presented. [Research supported by the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.]