The Lab
These are the tools I use to make instrument behavior visible and decide what to change next.
They started in my own work and I still use them there first.
When a tool stays close to the published work, I check it against published worked examples.
When something is more exploratory, I say so plainly.
If a tool does not help with the next decision, I do not keep it around.
Resonance Reader
A guitar in Resonance Reader with measured peaks, played notes, and note energy visible in one view.
Why the Lab exists
I started the Lab after reading Trevor Gore's work and wanting better tools for building more consistent guitars. Putting the calculations online was more useful than rebuilding them in spreadsheets every time.
Several of the tools here are direct implementations of calculations and workflows from Trevor Gore's books. Where that is true, I say so plainly. Trevor has reviewed both the math and parts of the process here, and I'm grateful for that.
Robbie O'Brien has also spent time with these tools, given feedback, and helped shape them. I'm grateful to him as well.
When a tool stays close to published work, I say so plainly. When it goes beyond that, I say that plainly too.
Start here
Begin here
Use a tap response to find the main peaks in guitars, plates, and brace stock. You can also inspect played notes and see how energy moves between resonances and harmonics. This is usually where I start when I want to see what the instrument is doing. From here, the measured data can carry forward into other tools.
Open Resonance ReaderAvailable now
Use top deflection and uncoupled monopole frequency to estimate monopole mobility, a practical indicator of likely responsiveness. This is a direct implementation of Trevor Gore's monopole mobility method, with an additional dynamic view based on uncoupled frequency change.
Open Monopole MobilityAvailable now
Use material properties and measured frequencies to estimate top and back thickness for a target frequency and stiffness. This is a direct implementation of Trevor Gore's target plate thickness calculation.
Open Plate ThicknessIn progress
Use measured frequency and monopole mobility to fit a guitar to Trevor Gore's 4DOF model and explore moves that may help reach target resonant frequencies. This includes a direct implementation of the model and an extended solver.
Open 4DOF ModelHow I use them
I usually start with Resonance Reader, then I check spacing and note interaction before I let the rest of the tools into the conversation.
Capture
Start with a tap response worth trusting. Get the main body behavior visible instead of guessing.
Spacing
Check the spacing of the main peaks. Decide whether the guitar looks open enough to read clearly or crowded from the start.
Notes
Check their relationship to played notes. See whether the main resonances land on strong notes or in more useful spaces between them.
Targets
Set targets in Resonance Reader. Compare the measured peaks to note regions and target regions before deciding what question is left.
Mobility
Use Monopole Mobility after the read is trustworthy. Judge likely responsiveness only after the main relationship is clear.
Model
Move trusted inputs into 4DOF. Use the model to test structural relationships, not to outrank the bench.
Structural tools
I use these when the question is thickness, stiffness, or brace geometry.
Alpha
Use measured deflection, geometry, and material dimensions to compare stiffness before removing more wood.
Open Flexural RigidityAlpha
Use brace height, width, and profile to compare likely stiffness before carving by feel alone.
Open Brace DesignerAlpha
Describe a 2D part, inspect the profile, and generate LinuxCNC G-code from the same design source.
Open FIT Design WorkspaceOther tools
Available now for compensation and scale work.
Planned.
Planned.