Re: Violin Plate tuning using Modes

in article [EMAIL PROTECTED], Peter Gennaro at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote on 12/1/03 3:28 PM:

> Any violin makers here using Chladni Mode tuning as laid out by Carleen
> Hutchins?
> 
> Just curious, I was thinking of trying it. So far I've just used thickness
> patterns taken off existing instruments.
> 
> I've read that some makers swear by it, while others have tried it but then
> gave it up in favor of stock thickness patterns.
> 
> 

You might want to read Al Carruth's articles on the subject in American
Lutherie 28, 29 and 30. They are available from GAL. (I think I have the
right issues listed)

The first is a theory article describing modes on flat plates, the second is
about violins mostly and some on other string instruments, the last is about
guitars.

Al uses a loudspeaker to drive the plates and cautions about using ear
protection while doing it. I live in an apartment and anything that needs
ear protection is out. I have a workshop in my apartment and I really don't
want to draw too much attention to myself.

I read the articles and I applied the knowledge to tap tones. If you know
where to hold the plate and where to tap it you can invoke at least three
different modes. That seems to have been good enough to make a very
satisfying instrument.

Nobody really knows if any of this stuff actually works, but a lot of people
seem to think that the quality goes up even if some violins turn out good
and the occasional clunker still pops up here and there.

If you want to get techinical there seems to be no limit to how technical
you can get. Martin Schleske has written in The Strad that he can to
acoustic copies of violins. His approach is very detailed and technical,
involving more measurement than building from the looks of it. He is highly
regarded, unlike the guy who keeps discovering "the secret of Stradivari"
every couple of years.

Pete