Tests of the Mechanical and Acoustic Parameters of Electric Guitar Bodies

The aim of this work was to perform a mechanical and acoustic analysis of electric guitar bodies. Sam ples of ash, oak, walnut, lime tree, and fir were selected for mechanical tests - with constant moisture content, made of latewood, and free from defects. The tests were carried out on a Brinell device to determine the hardness of the wood, and on an MCT3 machine from Anton Paar to determine the microhardness and elastic moduli. The elastic properties of wood are determined by its anisotropy and have different values depending on the direction of force in relation to the fibers. The wood showed the greatest stiffness along the fibers; in the case of forces acting perpendicular to the fibers, the stiffness was much lower. Sound transmission tests of selected acoustic parameters were carried out. They involved measuring and analyzing the frequency and damping of vibrations of guitar bodies using a special vibration sensor. The acoustic parameters of a guitar body experimentally made from walnut were compared with those of a mass-produced Ibanez guitar made of ash wood. Each species of wood has its own characteristic blend of physical properties, such as grain structure, density, weight, and strength, which influence the final tonal power of the guitar. The test results of various wood species indicate significant differences in strength and acoustic-resonance properties, which determine the absorption of vibrations, sound amplification, and sound transmission. The use of a specific wood for a guitar body is dependent on the musician’s artistic vision and the purpose of the instrument.