Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), Stanford University
Abstract :
Resonator guitars are acoustic instruments which have one or more
spun metal cones embedded in the top plate, with the strings driving
the cone directly through a bridge. They were originally designed to
be louder than traditional acoustic guitars and are often played with a
metal slide. The vibrational characteristics of resonator guitars having
a single inverted-cone are studied as the basis for a synthesis model.
The small-signal input admittance is obtained using an impact
hammer and laser Doppler vibrometer. As well, sinusoidal sweeps are
made using a modal shaker at various driving amplitude levels. The
shaker measurements show that some of the modes exhibit nonlinear
characteristics which can be modeled using the Duffing equation.
These measurements can serve as a basis for a digital waveguide
model of the resonator guitar.