Abstract
The guitar is a complex oscillatory system made up of many vibrating components. Because of the variable mechanical properties of wood, it is not easy for makers to reproduce good instruments. Reproducibility can be improved if we know how the mechanical properties of the components interact to produce the sound of the completed instrument. Three steel-string acoustic guitars were constructed, in parallel and as similarly as possible, the only design difference being the timber used for the top-plates. Prior to construction, the Young’s moduli, densities, and moisture contents of a selection of top-plate brace, neck, and bridge materials were measured and the most similar were retained for creating the three instruments. Transfer functions and Chladni modes of the top-plates were measured at seven stages of construction, and the radiation patterns and acoustic efficiencies of the finished instruments measured. The effects of brace scalloping and neck attachment systems are reported. These results, and the behavior of some simple systems, are compared with finite element simulations that include scalloped bracing and glue bonding. [Work supported by the Australian Research Council and Gilet Guitars, Australia.]
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