Artificial harmonics...

[Wrighty]

Hi all

I am learning a piece with a few of these in at the moment - what’s interesting is that on my Webber I hit these a lot more cleanly and consistently than on my Furch.

I thought initially it may be coincidence, but i am sure now it isn’t - the Webber just seems to be easier to get the loud ringing tones of a decent harmonic.

What makes a guitar better or worse in this area - and can it be improved? Is it a set up issue or action related?

Thanks in advance.

Peter

[The Bard Rocks]

I too have noticed differences between guitars in ease of achieving harmonics, especially noticeable at the ones not at 7th and 12th frets.

[gibpicker]

Great question!

[warfrat73]

I'm fairly certain that it is a product of the bracing, primarily. Guitar tops (well, I guess the whole box, really) respond differently to different frequencies. Some frequencies will be more or less dampened as a result of the resonance of the top. Basically on some guitars the artificial harmonic is more dampened by the wave pattern/interference pattern than it is on others.

[warfrat73]

I couldn't think of the word before... but it has to do with Chladni patterns and how the waves interact with the top/box. As I understand it--as neither a physicist nor a luthier.

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ernst_Chladni

[robj144]

Yes, I'm also fairly sure it's due to construction and bracing.

[Erithon]

A heavier gauge of string will improve the quality of harmonics, natural or artificial. The extra mass adds focus and clarity as well as making them easier to play.

[KevinH]

Interesting. Hadn't noticed that before.

Construction and bracing sounds reasonable, but gotta ask - are the strings on the two guitars the same kind and age?

[Wrighty]

Originally Posted by KevinH

Interesting. Hadn't noticed that before.



Construction and bracing sounds reasonable, but gotta ask - are the strings on the two guitars the same kind and age?

Actually they are - same strings and within a week of each other in age.

[Wrighty]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I'm fairly certain that it is a product of the bracing, primarily. Guitar tops (well, I guess the whole box, really) respond differently to different frequencies. Some frequencies will be more or less dampened as a result of the resonance of the top. Basically on some guitars the artificial harmonic is more dampened by the wave pattern/interference pattern than it is on others.

That’s interesting - thanks.

I had assumed, that given it’s the artificial harmonic, that it was a case of accuracy of intonation / set up that might cause less resonance.

[Howard Emerson]

I'll bet it's all operator error, or it's just that for some reason you're more accurate on one guitar than the other.

Howard Emerson

[TRose]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I couldn't think of the word before... but it has to do with Chladni patterns and how the waves interact with the top/box. As I understand it--as neither a physicist nor a luthier.

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ernst_Chladni

That’s really interesting. Thanks for the information.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Wrighty

That’s interesting - thanks.

I had assumed, that given it’s the artificial harmonic, that it was a case of accuracy of intonation / set up that might cause less resonance.

Hi Wrighty

What are you referring to when you mention an articial harmonic?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Wrighty

What makes a guitar better or worse in this area - and can it be improved? Is it a set up issue or action related?

If you are speaking of open string harmonics, one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that can make a difference is the position of your picking hand or pick. Moving it slightly, especially toward the saddle can often help bring out harmonics.

I think the setup or action could possible affect the open string harmonics if the string at any point touches (is dampened by) a fret (like just barely grazes the 1st fret) or if it isn't a properly shaped nut or saddle.

[buddyhu]

Originally Posted by mc1

If you are speaking of open string harmonics, one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that can make a difference is the position of your picking hand or pick. Moving it slightly, especially toward the saddle can often help bring out harmonics.

I think the setup or action could possible affect the open string harmonics if the string at any point touches (is dampened by) a fret (like just barely grazes the 1st fret) or if it isn't a properly shaped nut or saddle.

That’s what I was thinking: differences in the sounding of harmonics might have more to do with where the picking hand naturally seems to fall ona guitar, rather than guitar construction...which does amount to “user error”, in some sense.