I tried some Chladni testing tonight on an experimental top I'm building. I have no idea how it'll sound but will soon find out. I designed the top using FEA software to a structual load. It is very Smallman-ish in nature. That is a thin skin with carbon fiber topped braces. I used spruce for the brace cores however as I felt balsa was on the edge for a steel string, unless you use it in the end grain orientation, but then it soaks up glue and becomes hard to work. Enough of that side bar.
First let me state that this is an experimental top only and that I have no experience using Chladni paterns to design a top. The real reason for me doing the testing was fro me to gather data to use in refining my FEA models to match reality.
My model showed flapping edges due to the thin skins and my testing indeed showed the same thing. I was able to a few patterns out however that are shown below. I have no idea what they mean, if they mean anything at all.
This top will be on a test guitar in just a few weeks I hope and maybe I'll learn something then.
I'm willling to listen to any thoughts on these.
![[uncle]](./images/smilies/surrenderflagqv6.gif "Uncle")
I tried to add the pictures but got the message "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached." any ideas what this means?I'll try posting them latter.
