Related research
Related studies and documents by LGRP:
Guitar neck stability and stiffness tests
An experimental study to determine the degree of gradual deformation under stress (creep) of different wood species serving as classical guitar necks.
Jacky Walraet, Kristof Meeus. April 2017. / Click this link for the paper (pdf)
Summary of main findings:
Compared to traditionally used species such as mahogany and spanish cedar, some of the non-tropical species we tested displayed a similar degree of stability and stiffness over time.
There were 4 mahogany samples and 3 Spanish cedar samples in the test. These samples showed an average deformation of around 0,25mm or less (but did not exceed 0,30mm). Poplar, spruce, lime, walnut, cherry, maple and beech all displayed a similar amount of average deformation to that of the tropical species. The implication thus far is that these non-tropical woods can be regarded from a mechanical standpoint as viable alternatives.
NOTE: These tests were repeated - with the same and with an alternative method - by UGent's Woodlab.
The results will be available end 2024.
Related studies and documents by other researchers
Paper by Lincoln university.
"The effect of back wood choice on the perceived quality of steel-string acoustic guitars"
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 144, 3533 (2018);
Study by Samuele Carcagno, Roger Bucknall, Jim Woodhouse, Claudia Fritz, and Christopher J. Plack.
Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that steel-string acoustic guitars with backs and sides built using traditionally prized, expensive, and rare woods are not rated substantially higher by guitarists than guitars with backs and sides built using cheaper and more readily available woods. The poor ability of guitarists to discriminate under blinded conditions between guitars with backs and sides made of different woods suggest that back wood has only a marginal impact on the sound of an acoustic guitar.
link to the publication
Practical guide for experiments and research in musical instruments making.
Romain VIALA, Jérémy CABARET / Click this link for the paper (pdf)
Abstract
This document aims to provide elements to instrument makers for their exploratory and experimental approaches. It exposes accessible concepts and methods, which allow to best conduct experiments to achieve consolidated results. This is a summary of the procedure to follow - and not to follow - when we want to observe / ascertain a phenomenon and test ideas, hypotheses. This document can be a basis for disentangling the true from the false (or rather from what is not sufficiently founded to be considered as true). The elements are based on the scientific method which applies in all disciplines.