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Re: Why not Plastic?

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2023-06-03 21:55

Julian ibiza wrote:

> Hi Karl,
>
> I think that string instrument building demands MORE of the
> unique characteristics found only in wood . You have a good bit
> of fine grading in soundboards etc, so the structural
> properties are more prominent than in woodwind where you're
> making a pretty thick tube out of a Tank like wood.

But if you're using a manufactured product using computer-controlled production techniques, you should be able to avoid the need for all that fine adjustment (isn't that what synthetic reeds are all about?).

> Also the
> wood plays a leading roll in actually creating the sound , eg.
> The sound of an unamlified electric guitar string to that of
> blowing though a mouthpiece with reed .( the string instrument
> sound box also plays a big roll here too ).
>

I'm not sure I understand your analogy of an unamplified electric guitar string to a mouthpiece and reed with no instrument attached. But the role of wood (or any other material) in creating an instrument's unique sound is the fundamental basis of the whole whole debate - what's more important, the material or the design and construction. Acousticians seem to say that material has in itself minimal influence. If that's true of a woodwind, it must be true of a violin as well. Precision production should be able to replace hand adjustment whatever the application.

> That said , I did once hit on an add for a carbon fiber cello
> . The add suggested that this was just the thing for playing up
> on the tops of mountains ....quite a lot of hassle for sucky
> acoustics ....but hey!...everyone has their thing .... I only
> hope that they can keep up with the flood of orders .
>
Carbon fiber and fiberglass are also used in electronically amplified string instruments, which dispense with the hollow box just like an electric guitar. Which broaches a whole other thread about whether acoustic instruments are nearing the end of their use. Even using relatively primitive mics and amps to juice up the volume of conventional acoustical instruments (think almost every pit orchestra and every school jazz band in contemporary America) nullifies a lot of what we consider the nuances of their natural sound. Why not just electrify all of them and make them all out of carbon fiber, fiberglass or some renewable organic material? They won't sound like the instruments of 100 years ago no matter how they're made.

We'll all just have to get used to and learn to like new sounds. To a large extent, with all the use of electronics, we already have.

Karl

Post Edited (2023-06-03 22:40)

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