Abstract
A method for determining the tone quality of a classical guitar is described. The method is applied to several high- and low-quality classical guitars. In comparison to bad tones, the timbre of good tones consists of stronger consonant (pleasant) and weaker dissonant (unpleasant) intervals. This empirical criterion of tone quality is called the rule of consonance-dissonance (RC-D). The RC-D is defined mathematically and interpreted in physical and musical terms. The RC-D allows a luthier to pursue systematically the tone quality during guitar production and to improve the instrument's tone after its assembly.
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Šali, S., Kopač, J. Measuring the quality of guitar tone. Experimental Mechanics 40, 242–247 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02327495
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02327495