Customer Reviews

Art of Tap Tuning How to Build Great Sound into Instruments Book/DVD (Softcover)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This tutorial is a great resource for anyone who has ever had less than optimal results building a musical instrument. The "magic" of getting the best sound possible out of an instrument is explained in simple, easy to follow (and easy to repeat) steps. I wish I'd had this information many years ago. Even if you're not a builder, this book explains many things about how instruments "work". I would recommend this volume to anyone interested in understanding how the various parts of an instrument work together, to produce what we hear. This book will undoubtedly have a very positive impact on many instruments over the coming years. Well done Mr. Siminoff!

I am not a luthier, but am fascinated by the craft. Simonoff's books are right on point and are models of concise but detailed information of stringed instrument building and the real art of tuning. Their greatest asset is to show that tuning is not just about how to tighten strings, rather that tuning is about every aspect of the guitar, from the glue up. Since most people buy finished guitars, much of this is may seem academic, but the books are aimed primarily at either luthiers or people that love guitars and how they are born. It would also help those who are buying a guitar, but in that case, the prime factor may be just to buy what sounds good, with some knowledge of what you can change to suit you style of play.

Simonoff is an artist in his craft and an artist in teaching his craft through his books. One (pleasant) warning, after reading his work, a visit to a guitar shop will again never be the same.

Was very disappointed. Obviously the author is very knowledgeable on this topic. His method is dependent on thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment in order to carry out the methods that he is teaching. This is just not practical for the average home luthier or hobbyist. He did very little as far as demonstrating how to affect tone on actual instruments. He spent most of the DVD showing off different types of scientific equipment for measuring tone and did almost nothing as far as instructing on how to tap tune our actual instruments.

After much research and consultation with professional guitar and violin makers, I have concluded that the jury is still out on the benefits of tap tuning for guitar making. One issue is that, unlike the violin world (where there is an acknoweldged standard and good physics for excellent tone) no such standard exists in the guitar world. Indeed, different guitars are supposed to sound different and excellent tone is highly subjective. Some builders I know use tap tuning or other complex methods to try for tonal perfection, others simply tap the plates and listen for a "good" tone. I am not convinced the hair-raising complexity and expensive equipment needed to use Siminoff's method are worth while. Besides, whatever resonant frequencies the components have seperately change completely once the guitar is glued together.

World class guitarist Ed Gerhard made a CD (House of Guitars) on which he used a bunch of junky guitars bought at pawn shops and discount outlets. He didn't even change the strings. Yet the sounds are gorgeous. I think this proves that the skill of the perfomer (given a bascially sound guitar) totally overwhelms whatever contributions high tech plate tuning methods make.

Great book for a luthier who is serious about learning the beginning technology required to adjust the acoustical properties of their instruments.

An interesting look at tuning guitar components. There are some very cheap strobe tuners out there worth looking at before you spend big $'s on heavy duty tuners.

Tap tuning is a very interesting way to help you build a better sounding instrument. Explaining how different parts of the instrument vibrate as an individual part or as a whole of those parts assembled. Besides, it is incredibly fun to do this.

Having built many guitars and having looked at tap tuning in stringed instruments, I can ole address my own experience. tao Tuning is not a science, nor has it any application to guiat making. You can tap tune a top and have a superb sounding piece. Then glue it on the sides and evrything changes. In short a waste of time. Thebook is well written and is great information for making violins, but no real application guitars. No substitue for mothernatures woods, some nice hnd wrok and love or total package. Each instrument needs to stand it's own as a piece of art, not a scientific tool.

Another great book for luthiers by Mr. Siminoff. It's a bit techy, but if you want to build great guitars (or any other acoustic stringed instrument), this is the stuff you need to go to the next level. The book will dispel the idea that tap tuning is a "black art" that only the gifted can practice, and put it squarely in the realm of possibility.

Good for those of us who build but for whom the application of tap tuning is largely a mystery. Good science foundation by a proven master of the technique.