On the performance sound design of a stringed instrument by the control of the stiffness and mass of the component part

Abstract

This study investigates the difference of performance sounds of an electric guitar with a metal pickguard. The sounds of the open strings of the guitar are measured, showing that the damping time becomes shorter than that obtained with a commonly used plastic pickguard. Further, it was also found that the sounds of the 1 and 2 strings were distinct and those of the other strings were slightly suppressed when the metal pickguard was used. Therefore, the metal pickguard is effective in making sharp, clear, and distinct sounds. We changed the material of the pickguard from plastic to copper. In the experiments, simultaneous measurements of the vibrational acceleration of the peg, pickguard, and output voltage of the guitar with a constant plucking force of the strings were performed. It was found that the profile of the RMS value of the vibrational acceleration of the pickguard changed when the copper pickguard was used. Moreover, the vibrational modes of copper the pickguard were different than the others. In conclusion, it was determined that the sound quality is affected by the vibrational characteristics; thus, it can be adjusted by varying the means by which the pickguard is attached to the guitar body.