Publications
Below you find a selection of my research papers about historical guitars and of selected problems of innovative guitar making. The links provided below open the publications as pdf-files in screen resolution. For any further questions do not hesitate to contact me.
Innovative guitar making
"Der Gitarrenentwurf nach Prof. Dr. Michael Kasha. Beschreibung und Analyse", Diplomarbeit 2004 [PDF ca. 6 MB] (German)
Diploma Thesis about the research work of the American biophysicist professor Michael Kasha PhD in the field of guitar making. Since the middle of the 1970s of the 20th century Kasha deals with the construction of concert and steel string guitars. His objective is to improve them in their acoustic function. In cooperation with the luthier Richard Schneider and others, Kasha developed a new concept for the construction of concert and steel string guitars in over 30 years. This way of construction differs from traditional ways of construction regarding the approach and realization and is discussed controversially.
Historical guitars
"Dokumentation der Vermessung Gitarre Johann Georg Stauffer Wien, circa 1830", 2010 [PDF ca. 1,8 MB] (German)
Detailed description and measurement of a guitar made by Johann Georg Stauffer from 1830 including a photo documentation.
"Dokumentation der Vermessung der Gitarre Jacob August Otto, Weimar 1796", 2009 [PDF ca. 2.6 MB] (German)
Detailed description and measurement of a guitar made by Jacob August Otto from 1796, including a photo documentation.
"Der Instrumentenmacher Christoph Ehrlich (1781 – 1830). Beschreibung und Analyse von zwei Gitarren aus dem Historischen Museum Bamberg", Projektarbeit 2004 [PDF ca. 2,3 MB] (German)
Abstract PDF (German)
Project thesis about the Bamberger instrument maker Christoph Ehrlich (1781-1830) in the field of guitar making including the measurement, description, and photo documentation of two preserved guitars of Christoph Ehrlich which are possessed by the Historical Museum of Bamberg. Christoph Ehrlich produced during his workshop activity from 1809-1830 multiple pianos, grand pianos, and other keyboard instruments. This aspect of his work has already been examined in several papers. But furthermore, circa 150 guitars were built by Christoph Ehrlich during this time, from which only few specimens are known.
"Das Modell „Rekord" von Richard Jacob „Weißgerber". Beschreibung und Analyse", Projektarbeit 2003 [PDF ca. 2,7 MB] (German)
Abstract PDF (German)
Project thesis about the guitar model “Rekord” made by the luthier Richard Jakob “Weißgerber” (1877-1960) including the measurement, description, and photo documentation of two preserved Rekord-models und the analysis of the available source material. The design strikes with its unique corpus shape and was formed in Weißgerber’s early creative phase. Especially the peculiarity and the design of the model Rekord are analyzed as well as the sound properties and meaning for guitar making. It was investigated, whether the golden section was used as a basis for proportions for the model Rekord and which other rules of proportion were applied.
