Art of Tap Tuning How to Build Great Sound into Instruments Book/DVD (Softcover)

If you are a luthier and want to get into tap tuning your instruments that you make, then this is a must have. The author is extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter and provides many great pictures and tables, along with the experiments and conclusions about tap tuning, (including deflection tuning), more than anything else I have read on the market. In particular, there is a table showing the sound board bracing pattern for many instruments and the note that each part of the bracing, bridge plate, sound hole and such should be tuned to. I have used it on dreadnaught style bodiess, 00, and parlor style, guitars with great results, The tap tuning really makes the instrument come alive and projection is greatly increased; they become very colorful (timbre) tone wise.The CD has a copy of Petersons strobo tuner software. At one time you could by a kit from Roger directly that had this book, the CD, a microphone, compressor, tapping hammer. I tried to find it but, on the Siminoff Website I could not find it like last time I purchased it, but that was over 10 years ago. To tap tune you need this stuff, maybe not the strobo software but some type of strobing tuner. A regular guitar tuner will not work, because of the decay rate of the note when the part is tapped is to short for a standard type tuner to work. You must also have the compress and a microphone. You could make your own hammer or use on out of a junk piano.

After much research and consultation with professional guitar and violin makers, I have concluded that the jury is still out on the benefits of tap tuning for guitar making. One issue is that, unlike the violin world (where there is an acknoweldged standard and good physics for excellent tone) no such standard exists in the guitar world. Indeed, different guitars are supposed to sound different and excellent tone is highly subjective. Some builders I know use tap tuning or other complex methods to try for tonal perfection, others simply tap the plates and listen for a "good" tone. I am not convinced the hair-raising complexity and expensive equipment needed to use Siminoff's method are worth while. Besides, whatever resonant frequencies the components have seperately change completely once the guitar is glued together.World class guitarist Ed Gerhard made a CD (House of Guitars) on which he used a bunch of junky guitars bought at pawn shops and discount outlets. He didn't even change the strings. Yet the sounds are gorgeous. I think this proves that the skill of the perfomer (given a bascially sound guitar) totally overwhelms whatever contributions high tech plate tuning methods make.

I am not a luthier, but am fascinated by the craft. Simonoff's books are right on point and are models of concise but detailed information of stringed instrument building and the real art of tuning. Their greatest asset is to show that tuning is not just about how to tighten strings, rather that tuning is about every aspect of the guitar, from the glue up. Since most people buy finished guitars, much of this is may seem academic, but the books are aimed primarily at either luthiers or people that love guitars and how they are born. It would also help those who are buying a guitar, but in that case, the prime factor may be just to buy what sounds good, with some knowledge of what you can change to suit you style of play.Simonoff is an artist in his craft and an artist in teaching his craft through his books. One (pleasant) warning, after reading his work, a visit to a guitar shop will again never be the same.

This was an expensive 2nd hand book, and even though I purchased it minus the original CD that normally came with it, this is one of those 'one-time-only' reference manuals that I needed to explain all aspects of Tap Tuning and Building Great Sound into Instruments.dave maybeeRaglan, New Zealand

A very detailed explanation on this method of obtaining consistent tone and volume from your acoustic instrument. I found some of the info needed re-reading to grasp it entirely - but it's all contained inside these pages. Some additional tuning equipment is required to properly set the tones and that's to be expected for quality results.

Jack had loaned out his old copy of this book , and it was such a good book that it was never returned! It is very precise on how to tune your instrument that you are making. I was tickled to find it on Amazon. When I presented it to my husband he said he loved me more every day.

Everything else I’ve read about tap tuning is mystical mambo jumbo and operates in the assumption that a beginner just can’t do it. This book explains the science involved and breaks everything down into easily understood parts.

I purchased the book from the Author for 38 bucks. Great book.

Very good book

The Art of Tap Tuning and The Luthiers Handbook, both by Siminoff are NOT books showing you how to make a guitar, mandolin etc.. They are books that instruct you on what to do to make an instrument sound great when you are constructing it. Probably not worth the trouble if you are only intending to make one guitar, unless of course its something that really interests you. Basically, every component of a guitar will resonate when the strings are plucked. Each part of the guitar will have an effect on the overall quality (timbre) of the sound produced when playing. These two books tell you the why and how to get the right tone from each part of the guitar as its constructed, resulting in the finished instrument sounding (hopefully) great. However, there is no 'this is the one and only way to make a stunning guitar/mado etc' at the end of the day its still up to the Luthier to decide what they want their instruments to sound like. With these books you are shown what to look/listen for and how to achieve your desired results. The Art of Tap Tuning does have some redundant details about how Siminoff used some very expensive equipment to assist with his tap tuning. Historically interesting but not currently relevant. He then identifies some currently available software (Peterson StroboSoft) that does the job for approx. £90 If you want a book that goes into brain melting mathematical explanations on the maths behind vibrating instrument parts then look up Trevor Gore. If you want some good 'how to build' books then try Alex Willis and/or Jonathan Kinkead. If you want the most comprehensive hand holding video tutorials then the only place to go is obrienguitars.com/courses by Robbie O'Brien.

Very poor value. Mostly rehashed from his previous book The Luthier's Handbook which is also poor value and gives away no more than any other guitar building book and doesn't supply an instrument design or plans. If you're looking for Luthier expertise stick with "Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology" (my favourite - I just like reading it!), "Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar" (close run 2nd favourite the plans & instructions I use), "Step-by-Step Guitarmaking" (unusual bracing), A Guitar Maker's Manual and the rather old but still great book "Steel Guitar Construction". All of these are great.What about tap tuning? Well, none of the other books go into detail about it and although Siminoff's book does it won't give you guitar makers any clear guidance. I shall soon be exploring the odd DVD you can find advertised on the Web which say they specifically deal with the topic.To build a great guitar just follow the guidance accurately given in the books mentioned.For me, Roger Siminoff has written a great and useful book called "The Ultimate Blusgrass Mandolin Construction Manual" - a challenge but a worthwhile investment and I like reading it almost as mush as "Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology"!Update (19.6.2012) to original reviewSince writing the above review Melvyn Hiscock has published his second book (the first being on electric guitars and very good) entitled Make Your Own Acoustic Guitar which is brilliant! Unlike other books which concentrate on one guitar he runs through the techniques of guitar making and proceeds to makes an acoustic 6 string, 12 string, resonator guitar and a kit guitar. For some reason it's more difficult to find on Amazon but keep looking as it is there and well worth the effort and a "must have!"

This book including a DVD is just what every budding instrument builder should read . It gives great insight into developing a sound from each instrument and how to maintain that sound whether a guitar, mandolin, bouzouki etc. Excellent.

petit livre très instructif sur la manière dont cette homme voit la chose en matière d'acoustique.A lire pour tout amateur de lutherie guitare ou autres instruments....