Author(s)

Zily Burstein, Christina M. Gower, Gabriele U. Varieschi

Department of Physics, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, USA.

In this paper we present a simple way to convert a conventional sonometer into a simulated fretted instrument, such as a guitar or similar, by adding a fingerboard to the sonometer. In particular, we use this modified apparatus in relation to the problem of the instrument intonation, i.e., how to obtain correctly tuned notes on these string instruments. The experimental procedures presented in this study can become a more structured laboratory activity to be used in general physics courses or acoustics classes.

Acoustics; Musical Acoustics; Guitar; Sonometer; Intonation; Compensation

Burstein, Z. , Gower, C. and Varieschi, G. (2012) Simulating a Guitar with a Conventional Sonometer. Open Journal of Acoustics, 2, 67-71. doi: 10.4236/oja.2012.22007.