3 papers
physics.pop-ph2016
Physics of the Bacon Internal Resonator Banjo
David Politzer
The internal resonator banjo, patented and first sold by Fred Bacon around 1906, remains something of a cult favorite and is still produced by some independent luthiers. According…
physics.pop-ph2015
The Resonator Banjo Resonator, part 2: What makes them really crack?
David Politzer
A simple experiment quantifies the difference between the sound production of a banjo with and without a resonator back. Driven by a small tweeter mounted inside the pot, for frequ…
physics.pop-ph2015
Sound Hole Sound
David Politzer
The volume of air that goes in and out of a musical instrument's sound hole is related to the sound hole's contribution to the volume of the sound. Helmholtz's result for the simpl…