The Art of Tap Tuning: How to Build Great Sound into Instruments

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Type: Book
Studio: Hal Leonard Corporation
Release Date: 2007-01-30
This book explains the secret ingredients needed to obtain the very best tonal qualities when building acoustic string instruments. It includes an exploration of the tools and equipment needed, the methods to excite tones in the instrument, how to make the necessary changes, and how to achieve consistency and repeatability. The text focuses on tap tuning as it relates to mandolins, guitars, banjos, violins, ukuleles, dulcimers, pianos, and more. The DVD includes demonstrations of the acoustic phenomena described in the text.

black art?
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.

Must Have for Luthiers
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.

Musical instrument construction
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.

The "magic" explained.
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!