[CAUT] Re. Lack of low-frequency response

[James Ellis]

I have been "reading the mail" on this subject, and I see a tendency to
over-simplify.  There is no single answer.  It's a very complex issue.
Begin with the soundboard modes themselves before any stringing.  After
stringing and full tension, everything changes.  Down-bearing, string-tail
length, board mass, board stiffness (including ribs), and the possibilities
go on and on.  The "bottom line" is, what is the compliance and the
resonant frequency of the board after all is said and done?  At what
frequencies do the board's vibrations break up into standing waves, and
where?  Whatever the resonant frequency is, and how wide or narrow its
bandwidth is will determine the dominant part of the tonal spectrum.  I
would not dare try to tell you what the solution is, because the problem is
so complex.  But the general "rule-of-thumbs" is:  The stiffer and less
compliant the bass-end of the board is, for whatever reason, the less
low-frequency response it will have.  The more compliant it is, the more
low-frequency response it will have, but the faster those low frequencies
will decay.

Sincerely, Jim Ellis