Guitar makers (was Piano Rims (rambling post))

[Phillip L Ford]

On Mon, 31 Dec 2001 11:01:33  
 Ron Overs wrote:

>Since you mention guitars, there are a couple of interesting local 
>luthiers who are gaining the attention of the guitar world. Greg 
>Smallman is making guitars with a cutoff across the 'waist line' of 
>the belly - the lower section only is active belly.
>
>Central to Greg Smallman's design philosophy is the use of an 
>ultra-thin wooden top that is intended to project more efficiently 
>the sound of the strings. To this end he has abandoned the 
>traditional strutting under the guitar's top, and in its place uses a 
>flexible criss-cross "lattice" strutting made from balsa wood 
>reinforced with carbon fiber.

>The backs and sides of the Smallman guitar are unusually heavy and 
>are pressed from laminated rosewood [this particular Rosewood is an 
>Australian rain-forest species with similar density and strength to 
>Hard Maple] reduce the amount of energy that might otherwise be 
>absorbed from the top, yet again enhancing the guitar's projection.
>
>Bernard Richardson, an expert in guitar acoustics who lectures at the 
>Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wales 
>Cardiff, explains elsewhere in his book how Smallman's designs 
>increase the all-important stiffness-to-mass ratio of the soundboard 
>but keep the vibrating mass low, which permits an increase in sound 
>radiation. "Whether it is intentional or not, Smallman employs very 
>sensible engineering and acoustical principles to add stiffness but 
>reduce mass, which is exactly which is required," says Richardson.
>

>Another interesting and committed Sydney luthier is Gerard Gilet. 
>Gerard makes an acoustic guitar of his own design with a substantial 
>bent rim supporting the belly. Sting purchased a Gilet guitar during 
>a recent visit to Sydney. These are serious instruments worthy of 
>further investigation. Gerard's website can be found at;
>
>http://www.giletguitars.com.au/
>
>Happy new year to all,
>
>Ron O

Ron,
Thanks for the references.  I'm acquainted with Smallman's name.  I saw
an article about him and his guitars.  His braces combining wood and
composites are very interesting.  I didn't realize that he uses a heavy rim.
I'm not familiar with Gilet.   I'll check out the websites.  It seems that it's
not true that all guitar makers think a thin or flexible rim is the way to go.
On the subject of guitars, since you provided me with some links, I'll give
you one that you might find interesting:

http://www.garrisonguitars.com/

These guitars are made in Canada (Newfoundland I think).  They were designed
by a fellow I think named Griffiths.  The bracing, kerfing, etc. is all injection molded
as one piece in composite of some sort.  Interesting idea (to me at least).

Phil F


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