Making Guitars with a Physics Mind | Curtin University

Watch as Curtin's Dominic Howman presents a lecture on how musical instruments produce sound.

Out of curiosity and the need to make improvements, scientific studies have sought to discover systematic ways of making desired changes to sound production. However, some types of musical instruments are much more difficult to understand than others. For example, the way violins work has been known for some time, but some of the basics of the acoustic guitar continue to remain as elusive as the fine subtleties of a Stradivarius.

This lecture was presented on 23 March 2011.

[rudeguitardotcom]

Even though Blackbird sounds more like road-kill, don't be put off by the initial demonstration.  If you can get past the introduction, there is quite a lot of accurate, well-presented information here.  I wager most of these negative comments were made after hearing only the first 2 minutes of this 1 hour presentation, so those interested in learning something should keep watching.

[kavitapabelkar]

I am a Physics teacher and found this video very useful !!! Many thanks !

[iban]

the lecture is so amazing and not too complex for the average person be disinterested in. he really knows his craft! thanks for uploading this vid!

[phonicwheel]

Wonderful lecture- full of information and presented in a concise and easily understood style. You cleared up many points for me about guitar construction and performance, especially the critical importance of the bridge. Thanks for posting.

[atomic]

As one who spent a lifetime in physics and recently developed a love for guitars I really appreciated this presentation He did a great job bridging the gap between the art world and technology of guitar construction. I am not an expert in guitar construction but have a deep interest and Dominic Howman explained guitar construction using well established physical principals.

[JohnCKovach]

Thank You, for a quick response ! The lesson at Sherry-Brener included the hanging of the various types of exotic woods on a thread and hitting it with a physicians 'reflex' hammer and either comparing it with a tuning fork during the in-process construction and later with an electrical or digital instrument, etc.

[md-vrgv]

Blackbird falling down a flight of stairs

[marvinbanjo]

This guy was really informative  and got a lot of flak for his playing and tuning . These instruments probably came directly from the atmosphere of his home; through all kinds of weather to the classroom. He explained that tuning would be off, but few of the critics here seemed to listen. As for his playing; he is a physics teacher/hobby builder. If Tommy Emanuel was playing -- the instrument would have been better displayed ; however this was not so much a performance but a physics class . Most critics here fail to realize this either . I did get a chuckle when he played the intro to Smoke on the Water on that old Aoud ( hope the spelling was right). Showing a 12th century Arabic rock group coming up with this would be a good sketch for SNL .

[musicstoner]

Glad I stuck with the video - despite the ropey start there is some very interesting information in here.

[mikecurtin]

This is the second time I've watched this, and keep learning more each time. Thanks again.

[HipperShake]

As others have pointed-out, the guitar playing at the beginning is excruciating - is the guitar even in tune? However, apart from that, it is an excellent and very informative video. Dominic is clearly a real enthusiast and really seems to know his stuff. He also puts it across well in a clear no-nonsense way. There's a lot of hype out there about guitar 'tone', but this video helps debunk or explain a lot of the myths. Thanks for posting - keep up the good work :-)

[apoogdk]

Being an engineering student, I had a design project and my topic was guitars. This video helped me a lot in an engineering sense. Thank you so much!

[JustinHallPlus]

Please edit the blackbird butchery out of this video... it's embarrassing.

[CC-xtbw]

Despite the lack luster playing at the beginning of the video, the video is an excellent discussion of the fundamental physics behind the making of steel string guitars and how the physics is addressed in the selection of materials and construction techniques used to build a guitar. Very informative.

[nicthedoor]

The life of a Luthier is certainly fascinating but I don't think I have the patience. I would much rather spend my time playing. Thank you to the talented people who make these wonderful instruments.

[HarryNicNicholas]

i have ten guitars at the moment and i've owned about thirty in the last few years, my pride and joy being a '66 gibson J45, what you said about vibration going through the back to the player, and sound holes that are cut into the sides makes sense, i also have a martin OOOX1, spruce top but HPL back and sides, basically laminate, i think it's the best guitar i've ever touched, the sound is clean, the bass growls and the trebles ring, but what makes it a complete experience is that the back passes the vibration to the player, so you get to feel the guitar as well as hear it (i play fingerstyle pretty exclusively). i've been looking at (not playing) composite and carbon fiber guitars and i think the same might be true of them, mcpherson and composite acoustics guitars sound a whole lot better than some solid wood.

[brainrat]

It has always fascinated me when things are taken down to sheer fundamental building blocks. I loved the wood bashings. :D Seen a lot of guitars but never saw an inside of one.

[natesmith]

I wish to commend you--this has been the most comprehensive lecture on acoustic guitar making that I have seen--I am also a guitar builder and I have found this to be the most informative lecture yet---great job! I own Logan Elite Guitars--coming soon! At the moment you cannot purchase any of my guitars I am building a collection! You Sir are amazing! I wish I had the Public relations that you do to speak to the public! Thank You so much for this video!

[DnCab]

This was a really enjoyable, informative video. I think i'm almost ready to tackle my first acoustic guitar build (almost...), so this has been really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with the world.

[sitearm]

That was excellent! I saw this after several guitar factory tour vids and now much better get the points they were making! Especially the Godin acoustic tour.