Build Thread - Kramer Prairie Grass

[jaymarsch]

Here are some shots of how Sparky uses the Chladni process in voicing his tops. When I visited his shop early last year, it was impressive to see how he keeps his notes and diagrams on what he learns from the vibrational patterns and how that translates into bracing the guitar.

No way I can explain anything technical about this process but only to say that Sparky makes a very balanced guitar with great tone and great intonation all the way up the neck.


400hz
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237hz
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198hz
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144hz
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Thanks for following along.

Best,
Jayne

[cigarfan]

Like you said, don't understand it much but sure is cool they can use this technique to zero in.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Like you said, don't understand it much but sure is cool they can use this technique to zero in.

I think it has to do with using nodes to maximize the vibrations and minimize the dead spots but that is purely speculative on my part. There may be an interview somewhere with Sparky so I will research and post if I discover it.

Best,
Jayne

[iim7V7IM7]

If people are interested in learning a bit more about what Sparky is doing, you should check this out:

http://www.blanchardguitars.com/guit...hladni_buy.php

Sparky’s teacher on this topic was luthier Mark Blanchard. Mark has a wonderful 68 page presentation that he gave at the 2007 Healdsburg Guitar Festival on this subject. I am not a luthier, but I purchased it about 5 years ago and found it to be both informative and available to the lay person guitarist.

[islandguitar]

Jayne,
What's his web site? Interested in learning more!! Thanks,
Fred

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by islandguitar

Jayne,

What's his web site? Interested in learning more!! Thanks,

Fred

Hi Fred,

It’s www.randallkramerguitars.com

It is a pretty spartan website but has all the pertinent info on his guitar models.

And if you do a web search you’ll find some articles and interviews with him.

Best,
Jayne

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

If people are interested in learning a bit more about what Sparky is doing, you should check this out:



http://www.blanchardguitars.com/guit...hladni_buy.php



Sparky’s teacher on this topic was luthier Mark Blanchard. Mark has a wonderful 68 page presentation that he gave at the 2007 Healdsburg Guitar Festival on this subject. I am not a luthier, but I purchased it about 5 years ago and found it to be both informative and available to the lay person guitarist.

Thanks for adding this. I’ll look forward to checking it out.

Best,
Jayne

[islandguitar]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Hi Fred,

It’s www.randallkramerguitars.com

It is a pretty spartan website but has all the pertinent info on his guitar models.

And if you do a web search you’ll find some articles and interviews with him.

Best,
Jayne

Thank you, Jayne!!

[JJI]

Jayne,
As you know I have played and loved your Bois Kramer (possibly the finest back and side set I’ve ever seen) and I’m sure this new baby will be absolutely incredible

[colins]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Here are some shots of how Sparky uses the Chladni process in voicing his tops. When I visited his shop early last year, it was impressive to see how he keeps his notes and diagrams on what he learns from the vibrational patterns and how that translates into bracing the guitar.

No way I can explain anything technical about this process but only to say that Sparky makes a very balanced guitar with great tone and great intonation all the way up the neck.


400hz
[IMG][/IMG]

237hz
[IMG][/IMG]


Thanks for following along.

Best,
Jayne

It's amazing to think that different frequencies affect the top in different areas.

For those that want a little more background, one of our Aussie universities has some information too - http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/g...archladni.html

I used to hate physics at school, but if they'd taught this I might have paid more attention!

[mountainguitar]

This is going to be a wonderful guitar, Jayne! Thanks for letting us follow along! And we get to do "guitar physics!" I stayed away from the whole science building in college. But my husband, the Caltech physics major/NASA engineer is very intrigued by the physics of guitars and that has become one way for us to connect around my love of guitars and music. He says yep-- a well known physics experiment. Can spread sand or talcum powder on any plate to assess the frequencies. Just showed him your pictures and he's intrigued....

I look forward to your updates and following along-

beth

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by colins

one of our Aussie universities has some information too - http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/g...archladni.html

Thanks for the link Col. I found it very informative after I turned it upside down. : )


Steve

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by bmh1

This is going to be a wonderful guitar, Jayne! Thanks for letting us follow along! And we get to do "guitar physics!" I stayed away from the whole science building in college. But my husband, the Caltech physics major/NASA engineer is very intrigued by the physics of guitars and that has become one way for us to connect around my love of guitars and music. He says yep-- a well known physics experiment. Can spread sand or talcum powder on any plate to assess the frequencies. Just showed him your pictures and he's intrigued....

I look forward to your updates and following along-

beth

Thanks, Beth. I look forward to your report from the Texas shindig coming up. Sounds like it will be great fun with a number of both outstanding guitars and people.

Best,
Jayne

[WilbornGuitars]

This is looking like a great guitar. Which is not a surprise. Sparky makes an excellent guitar!

[jaymarsch]

The guitar is coming along nicely and Sparky sent a batch of pictures to me over the weekend. Here is the journey of the back getting both braced and getting that "sawdust mojo treatment". Some back modes before bracing. Frequencies are 273hz, 204hz, 88hz, and 115hz but I can't swear to which is which as the photos may have changed sequence along the way.

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[IMG][/IMG]

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[IMG][/IMG]

Prepping and carving the back braces. I love seeing those tiny planes in the background.

[IMG]
[/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Thanks for following and I'll have some pics of the rosette and the box a bit later.

Best,
Jayne