Wood, "Response-Tone" Page...
(Modified Last:12/2020
Page WS_04)
By David Langsather, webmaster: www.violinresearch.com
...A recent experience in making a new violin (my Opus # 29), the results were very disappointing as the violin response seemed very flat; even though the top plate had a good rub tone, and wood tone. ...This began an investigation that resulted in uncovering this "Response-Tone" step; as well as the way to measure proposed wood and a rough guide as to what limiting acceptable range might be...
..You know the old tale : "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" ; and I very much did not want to make another such mistake in violin making in the future. {And perhaps I can help you also to keep from making such a material selection mistake as well...}
..We could probably define "Wood Response Tone" as how fast sound is transmitted through the wood in its interaction with other vibrations of the violin.
..As the guide line standards for maple and spruce (and ebony?) are not yet know, I will just list them as:
..Two special tools are necessary to measure the wood "response Tone" :
{ To see descriptions in print and video, Click Below... : }
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..For a print article on the S.R. tool... <<<<<<<< Click Here >>>>>>>>
..For a Video on the subject... <<<<<<<< Click Here >>>>>>>>
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..For a print article on the W.R.T. tool... <<<<<<<< Click Here >>>>>>>>
{Except make it about 40% taller at the high end...}
..First, the violin wood part we are evaluating is tapped about 10 times, about 1 second apart, just listening {No mind talking allowed...}
..With that sound fresh in our mind, we immediately begin tapping down on the center spine of the "wood reference" tool starting at the short end and working along toward the deep end listening for the highest overtones.
..As we tap along we will hear that those high overtones seem to be lowering.
..At some point, we reach the lowest pitch, then it begins to rise as we proceed to continue tapping toward the deep end.
..Tap the subject again to renew the sound to our mind and work back and forth until you accurately measure the low point.
..Mark this down as this is the wood "resonance tone" for this violin part.
..This photo shows the correct way to hold the S.R. tool, tapping along the spine of the W.R. tool. The yellow dot is placed at the low point. This frequency is recorded on our data sheet, either for the wood piece, or one for complete instruments. Click below to be able to print these off for your record keeping :...
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..CLICK HERE to pull up a printable screen of a Whole Violin Wood Data Page
..CLICK HERE to pull up a printable screen Violin Wood Data Tabs for individual violin wood pieces.
..Just rubber cement them to the wood pieces for a semi permanent record...