Wood for musical instruments

Only very few investigations by means of thermal analysis are found in the literature. Reh and Kraepelin [51] applied DSC and chemical analyses to spruce samples of two ring densities and observed thermograms with different peak heights for holocellulose (around 350°C) and lignin (around 490 C), respectively 

Distribution of different kinds of wood in a classical violin [109] 

Because it is often assumed that rafting and storing of wood in water accompanied by a microbial decay of hemicellulose has a positive influence on the sound of the later music instruments [108], Reh and Kraepelin [51] investigated 

In recent TG/DTG experiments combined with MS, Wiedemann [109] analysed wood specimens from violins and compared the results with those of samples from old trees cut a few years ago and used for modem music instruments. These 

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Minato, K. and Yano, H. (1990). Improvement of dimensional stability and acoustic properties of wood for musical instruments by sulfur dioxide catalysed formahzation. Mokuzai Gakkaishi, 36(5), 362-367. 

Additives Effect on the Catalyzed Monomer Solution. Soluble dyes can be added to the catalyzed monomer solution to color the final wood-polymer composite. Any color of the visible spectrum can be added, browns to simulate black walnut, red and blues for national colors. The color emphasizes the grain structure of the particular species and combines with the polymer to add a three-dimensional depth not present in surface-finished wood. A dense black wood-polymer, so desirable for musical instruments, is difficult to obtain because of wood s light color and the tendency of the microstructure to chromatographically separate a dye of several components into its separate colors. Dyes have an inhibiting effect on the polymerization of wood-monomer composites, some more so than others. Additional catalyst can be added to overcome this inhibition, but in the radiation process of a given geometry additional time must be allowed for complete curing. 

Another use of terpenes may be found in coatings such as varnish. Varnish for musical instruments like violins can be made largely from the terpene pinene. The key to generating a coating such as varnish is to allow polymerization to occur. The fact that terpenes are built up from isoprene building blocks, much like any other polymer, suggests that polymerization is a possibility. When pinene (present in pine tree and made into turpentine) is exposed to air and sunlight, it will slowly polymerize and make a fine finish for wood. 

Musical instruments are an excellent example. They are made from a wide variety of materials, including wood, metal (especially brass), animal skins, animal hair, plants (e.g., reeds), ceramics, and plastics. Each instrument has a unique kind of sound, a sonic signature if you will, and the materials that are used are carefully chosen to enhance that signature. No one makes tubas out of wood, nor do they make drums out of brass. The materials are chosen not just for their stnictural properties, but also for their acoustic properties— that is how the materials transmit, reflect, and absorb sound waves. The acoustic properties of a given material depend on its stiffness, density, and loss coefficient (also known as damping factor). While data on stiffness and density is readily available for almost every material, it is rare for resin suppliers to provide loss-coefficient data for thermoplastics. In addition, the stiffness of any thermoplastic changes with temperature, much more so than with other materials. (This may help explain why thermoplastics have not been a material of choice for musical instrument designers.)... 

Ono, T. and Norimoto, M. (1984). On physical criteria for the selection of wood for soundboards of musical instruments. Rheologica Acta, 23, 652-656. 

Folklore Limeflowers were thought to cure epilepsy if the sufferer sat under the tree. The wood of the lime tree is valued for its pale colour and its suitability for turning and carving. It is used in the manufacture of musical instruments (Bown, 2003 British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983 Graenwald et al., 2002 Shealy, 1998 Tierra, 1998). 

Physics-based synthesis can provide extremely high quality and expressivity in a very compact algorithm. Such computational models can provide extremely low bit rates at very high quality levels for certain sounds. In addition to data compression applications, such models can also provide a foundation for the future evolution of musical instruments, moving it from the real world of wood and metal into the virtual world where formerly impossible modifications are easily tried out. 

African blackwood is another hard black wood that is commonly used in musical instruments. This wood has a higher natural sheen than ebony, and is the preferred choice for making the tubes for oboes, clarinets, and other woodwinds. 

The good-quality amber was used for decorative purposes while the o T-cuts and poor-quality material was boiled down in oil, thinned and used as a hard varnish for wood, especially for musical string instruments or for ps. 

Polymer wood has improved mechanical properties compared to wood. It is used for window frames, sports equipment, musical instruments, and boats. A parquet floor of polymer wood does not require subsequent sealing. 

Cocus is a small tree from the West Indies used for making musical instruments, particularly flutes, recorders and clarinets. It also serves for making interior turnery, cutlery handles, fancy articles, sawn veneers and wooden breakfast platters. Although of small diameter, it has been imported from Jamaica and Cuba for more than a century as one of the most valuable woods. 

The different Dalbergia species provide most valuable woods used for high-class furniture, cabinet work, inlay work and parts of musical instruments. 

Newer attempts to develop wood-based plastics ( synthetic wood ) remained limited to niche applications (laminates for flooring, boats, musical instruments). 

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