JBASHORUN -> RE: TRUSS RODS... (Apr. 5 2006 15:18:04)
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quote:
If the tone came 99,99% from the soundboard, why should we the discuss the use of different tone woods like cypress or rosewood? They would only change the sound with some 0,01% That´s what I call theory without any roots in real life. Anders, thats a good point. I told this to my teacher and he told me a story about the famous guitar maker Antonio De Torres, who made the back and sides of a guitar out of paper-mache to proove that the back and sides of a guitar did not affect the tone: "Torres knew that lightness was essential in the vibrating surface of an instrument. But a large soundboard, though potentially louder, is heavier than a small one. Making it thinner to reduce its weight would make it weak and flexible, with unfortunate effects on the sound. The solution lay in building a soundboard that was 'domed', arched in both directions, over an arrangement of wooden struts.These famous fan-struts would ensure the static strength of the tapa, the soundboard, while letting it respond to the vibrations of the strings. The system's efficacy was proved by Torres' experimental guitar, built in 1862, with papier-mache sides and back. This is no longer playable, but those who heard it accepted its maker's contention - confirmed by modern physicists - that only the top of a guitar is of real importance in determining the character of its sound." (You can read the full version of this text at: http://www.guitarsalon.com/index.php?site_url=115 ) I wasn't around in 1862, so I can't claim to have ever heard such a guitar. But you have to admit that its a pretty persuasive arguement. Apparently it was Torres who originally claimed this, not my teachers. although several of my guitar making teachers (I have 3) have told me this story. The teacher who said that the theory was b*llocks, also claims to be very knowledgeable in acoustics, and gives students lectures on bracing/strut patterns and how tone is produced in guitars. On the other hand the same teacher who gives these lectures also claims that guitar necks should usually be 100% straight (with no relief), which other people tell me is wrong. So I'm not quite sure who to believe... Thanks again, Jb
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