Effect of a Wider Back Radius

[John Osthoff]

Hey Tim.

Absolutely I agree with you. If we take a "normally" flat surface and bend it we are going to create tension in the top. The higher the tension the higher the pitch. Now if we create a surface that is naturally curved and not under stress the and try to flatten if, the pitch will also go up as we are creating tension by "pushing it."

Try the experiment with something that is in a static state with a natural arc in, then flatten the arc.

I guess since we are starting with out backs normally flat, we are creating the tensions by forcing the arc into them with the bracing therefor impacting the pitch. Totally agree the tighter the radius with all else being the same, the higher the pitch but this is due to the higher tension, not the shape of the arc.

Still the pitch can be changed by many other factors, (thickness of the back, height of the bracing etc.) I guess you already summed that up in your original post ...

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

... there are other factors that also contributes too such as plate thickness, bracing overall weight, mass and how much and more specifically where wood was removed during the voicing process. ...

[mhw48]

Originally Posted by justonwo

The tighter radius gives you rounded notes. The larger radius gives you a flatter response.

I saw what you did there...