Above figure on the left shows rough braces before tuning. The two pictures above right display carving on the ends and scalloping in the centers. The idea is to start the stiff plate and carve gradually until one arrives at the chosen note, carefully removing a few sonts until true notes are produced. Many factories do this for stylistic purposes but knowledgable builders use this strategy to produce exceptional clear tone.
Tap Tuning – The art of changing random tap tones occurring on guitar plates to arrive at pleasing pitches that are 'in tune'
Area Tuning Principle - Tuning the different parts of the guitar top and back plates to a predetermined plan.
You've heard when a string is out of tune. Its obvious to the human ear when two strings are near but not exactly in tune. One string 'beats' because it is out of tune by a few sonts.
Each individual part of the guitar has its own tap tone. Top, back, big end, little end, neck .If a part of your instrument has a tap tone of C# and you are playing a C note or a C chord then the instrument is out of tune with the played note. This conflict reduces clarity and projection of the instrument in a big way.
One main difference between the factory instrument and the hand crafted piece is that tap tones are largely a matter of luck in the big factories but the hand crafter starts at the beginning of the construction process tuning the plates so clear notes ring out. In every factory there are a few craftsmen who attempt to 'clean up' the parts produced by hourly workers. The lucky good ones are reserved for top of the line instruments and the lemons go to the lower priced brands. The amateur musician who buys a brand name instrument for 900.00 dollars is not getting the same quality found in the 3000.00 price range, sadly one gets what one pays for. This is not always apparent at the music store where the customer plays one guitar after another. It is easily apparent though, when two instruments play at the same time. The human ear is able to make sharp comparisons side by side and the novice is often discouraged to realize the other guys instrument has a little extra something missing from his own.
There are many ways to influence the 'tap tone'. Many of them are not feasible a production line where uniformity is an essential element of the construction process. A big drum makes a low sound and a small drum makes a higher pitch. Following this principle, the first early tap tones may indicate that this particular guitar may sound better if its a little bigger of smaller. A concept completely impossible on the assembly line. A thicker plate has a higher pitch and a thinner plate lower pitch. Varying the thickness of a plate is impossible when the factory machines are set up to produce identical slices. These are two important places that the hand builder has advantage. Right from the start of the construction process.
Different parts of each plate produces different tap tones. The big end makes low notes and the small end makes higher pitched ones. The thing to realize is that these various areas may only be off by a few sonts. This is that small annoying difference you sometimes hear when a musician tunes the strings of the instrument. There are strategies to eliminate them and produce an amazing clear sound. Carving the braces in the affected area, thinning the plate between the braces. Even gluing extra braces.
Sound Character and area tuning
One secret to excellent projection and clarity is obtaining fifths and octaves into the tuning plan. These notes create ring and projection. Other notes will occur and managing them efficiently gives the knowledgeable tap tuner flexibility in the final product. A bright or dark sounding instrument. An even response suitable for a variety of keys or a loud instrument that is sweet in only a few places. This may sound strange but professional musicians travel with a lot of guitars that all have different strong points. When the artist plays his song they select the instrument that rings in that key. And my job as a tap tuner is to go about tap tuning in a knowledgeable predictable way so the instrument does in fact ring out clear, all the way to the back row. At Emily Caroline Hand Crafted Guitars we do it very well and we'll explain it to you the customer so you to will understand what makes a really great guitar !
Area Tuning Principle - Tuning the different parts of the guitar top and back plates to a predetermined plan.
You've heard when a string is out of tune. Its obvious to the human ear when two strings are near but not exactly in tune. One string 'beats' because it is out of tune by a few sonts.
Each individual part of the guitar has its own tap tone. Top, back, big end, little end, neck .If a part of your instrument has a tap tone of C# and you are playing a C note or a C chord then the instrument is out of tune with the played note. This conflict reduces clarity and projection of the instrument in a big way.
One main difference between the factory instrument and the hand crafted piece is that tap tones are largely a matter of luck in the big factories but the hand crafter starts at the beginning of the construction process tuning the plates so clear notes ring out. In every factory there are a few craftsmen who attempt to 'clean up' the parts produced by hourly workers. The lucky good ones are reserved for top of the line instruments and the lemons go to the lower priced brands. The amateur musician who buys a brand name instrument for 900.00 dollars is not getting the same quality found in the 3000.00 price range, sadly one gets what one pays for. This is not always apparent at the music store where the customer plays one guitar after another. It is easily apparent though, when two instruments play at the same time. The human ear is able to make sharp comparisons side by side and the novice is often discouraged to realize the other guys instrument has a little extra something missing from his own.
There are many ways to influence the 'tap tone'. Many of them are not feasible a production line where uniformity is an essential element of the construction process. A big drum makes a low sound and a small drum makes a higher pitch. Following this principle, the first early tap tones may indicate that this particular guitar may sound better if its a little bigger of smaller. A concept completely impossible on the assembly line. A thicker plate has a higher pitch and a thinner plate lower pitch. Varying the thickness of a plate is impossible when the factory machines are set up to produce identical slices. These are two important places that the hand builder has advantage. Right from the start of the construction process.
Different parts of each plate produces different tap tones. The big end makes low notes and the small end makes higher pitched ones. The thing to realize is that these various areas may only be off by a few sonts. This is that small annoying difference you sometimes hear when a musician tunes the strings of the instrument. There are strategies to eliminate them and produce an amazing clear sound. Carving the braces in the affected area, thinning the plate between the braces. Even gluing extra braces.
Sound Character and area tuning
One secret to excellent projection and clarity is obtaining fifths and octaves into the tuning plan. These notes create ring and projection. Other notes will occur and managing them efficiently gives the knowledgeable tap tuner flexibility in the final product. A bright or dark sounding instrument. An even response suitable for a variety of keys or a loud instrument that is sweet in only a few places. This may sound strange but professional musicians travel with a lot of guitars that all have different strong points. When the artist plays his song they select the instrument that rings in that key. And my job as a tap tuner is to go about tap tuning in a knowledgeable predictable way so the instrument does in fact ring out clear, all the way to the back row. At Emily Caroline Hand Crafted Guitars we do it very well and we'll explain it to you the customer so you to will understand what makes a really great guitar !