Enhancing Guitar Sound Quality Through Vibrational Modulation and Listener Analysis
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Pete Johnson
College
Engineering
Discipline(s)
Mechanical Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-24-2025
Abstract
A common issue with guitars is the variability in the sound they can produce as a result of their construction. Past research shows trends in listening-based studies, such as using the same brand of instrument, new strings, and pre-picked notes and chords played by a professional musician for repeatability of the recordings. This research aims to find specific keywords for describing a guitar’s sound and an outline for a questionnaire to give to a specific test group to coincide with future research regarding the quality of cheap and expensive guitars. This is achieved through the study of relevant prior research papers about the vibrational properties of guitars and previous listening-based experiments. Each of these papers has a predetermined test group and specific questions regarding important differentiations in the sound of instruments. This research presents comprehensive questions based on important factors in guitar acoustics, as well as the backgrounds that our test group should have. Research suggests that the test group should be split into two parts, one of them music majors and the other a mix of professional degrees. In addition, the best keywords to use in the questionnaire to get the most accurate response from individuals were “bright”, “balance of sound”, “rich”, “clarity”, and “sustain”.
Recommended Citation
Rana, Dominic; Teske, Cody; Gilman, Isaac; and Demik, Andrew, "Enhancing Guitar Sound Quality Through Vibrational Modulation and Listener Analysis" (2025). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1459.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1459
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Our research team consists of four Mechanical Engineering juniors, each contributing unique skills to the project. Cody Teske (Mokena, IL) is interested in Manufacturing & Industry, with expertise in carpentry and organization. He enjoys volleyball and has a motorcycle license. Andrew DeMik (New Lenox, IL) specializes in Manufacturing & Design, with skills in Arduino and creative design. He loves music and has built a Lego city. Isaac Gilman (Elgin, IL) focuses on Design & Manufacturing, with proficiency in SolidWorks and logistics management. He enjoys fencing, and his favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip. Dominic Rana (Oak Forest, IL) is interested in Manufacturing & Industry, with experience in financial advising and SolidWorks. He plays soccer in his free time. Together, we bring a diverse range of technical skills and interests to our research, allowing us to take a comprehensive approach to studying and refining the acoustic properties of guitars.