Abstract: Using electronic TV holography, we have studied the vibrational modes of four mandolins and a mandola. The lowest (0,0) modes may appear as a triplet (as in a guitar) or as a doublet. The modal frequencies correlate well with the frequency response curves. Sound spectra indicate that sound radiation is quite uniform over the 0-5 kHz range with some rolloff above 2.5 kHz.
from Acoustical Science and Technology, 24, 1 (2003), pp 1-6.
Normal Modes of Vibration in
Two Mandolins by Dave Cohen and Thomas D. Rossing
Abstract: Using electronic TV holography, we have studied the
vibrational modes of two mandolins of the Gibson F-type, one with f-holes
and the other with an oval sound hole. Although the observed normal modes
are moderately similar to those observed in guitars, the coupling between
plate modes and air cavity modes appears to be weaker. Plate coupling is
greater in the oval hole instrument, and we observe three (0,0) modes as
in a guitar. In the f-hole instrument, a doublet (0,0) is observed.
from Catgut Acoustical Society Journal, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Series III),
November 2000, pp 48-54.
Curtate Cycloid Arching related to Instrument Body
Outlines and Contours" in
American Lutherie, #96, pp 26-33 (Winter, 2008).
Abstract: The curtate cycloid arch is described and related to mandolin and guitar body
outlines. A method for laying out the arch with control over the position of the apex of the
arch, the height of the arch, and its' proximity to the edge of the plate is described.
Examples are done for a mandolin in polar coordinates and for guitar in Cartesian coordinates.
