Description:
<jats:p>Although the guitar is more than 200 years old, much of our understanding of its acoustical properties has developed during the past three decades. The low-frequency acoustical behavior can be explained on the basis of the coupled vibrations of the top plate, the back plate, the ribs, and the enclosed air cavity. Prominent peaks in the frequency response can be attributed to reflex coupling between these elements, and the luthier controls the tonal response of the instrument by skillful design and tuning of the various components through adjustment of their stiffness and mass. We discuss some of the more important acoustical research on guitars during the past three decades.</jats:p>