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An Overview of Fibre-Reinforced Composites for Musical Instrument Soundboards

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Abstract

Traditionally the material of construction of many musical instruments has been limited to wood. The unique mechanical and acoustic properties of wood make it the material of choice for making musical instruments. In recent years, wood for musical instruments is depleting, becoming more expensive and is of less acceptability due to environmental changes. This has resulted in most musical instrument builders searching for alternative materials to traditional musical instruments. This paper presents an important overview of recent research and developments and presents an initiative focusing on fibre reinforced composites as an alternative material for stringed instruments. Fibre composites are emerging as a competitive alternative material. Composite instruments has potential advantages for players concerned with functionality, sound, choreography and cost.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media Technology (CIRMMT) at McGill University and the Department of Foreign affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Canada. We also thank Mr. Hossein Mansour of CIRMMT and Dr. Iris Bremaud of CNRS, France for stimulating discussion on stringed instruments.

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Author notes

  1. Ajith Damodaran

    Present address: Manufacturing Engineering Department, Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology, Guindy, Chennai, 600 032, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai, 600 025, India

    Ajith Damodaran & A. Suresh Babu

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Macdonald Engineering Building, 817 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada

    Larry Lessard

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  1. Ajith Damodaran
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Correspondence to Ajith Damodaran.

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Damodaran, A., Lessard, L. & Suresh Babu, A. An Overview of Fibre-Reinforced Composites for Musical Instrument Soundboards. Acoust Aust 43, 117–122 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40857-015-0008-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40857-015-0008-5

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