Contour templates for plucked instruments
| Description | The contour of a guitar – that is, the outer shape of its body – is a key design element in guitar making. It influences not only the aesthetics, but also the ergonomics and, ultimately, the sound. The precise use of a contour template is essential to ensure consistency, symmetry and good playability in handcrafted instruments. In traditional guitar-making, contour templates are made from plywood, acrylic glass or metal. They are used to mark out the body shape precisely on the wooden blank and help to prevent deviations and asymmetries. Particularly when dealing with subtle differences, such as those between an OM model and a concert guitar, these templates are an indispensable tool for preserving the characteristic contours and stylistic identity. 1. Steel-string guitar – OM model The OM model (‘Orchestra Model’) is an elegant, medium-sized steel-string guitar with a balanced contour. Its shape is slightly narrower at the waist, resulting in a comfortable playing position and a very focused tone. The template for an OM model is often designed to achieve balanced symmetry. 2. Classical guitar – by David J. Rubio Rubio’s classical guitars are rooted in the Spanish tradition, yet feature a distinctive style in their lines. The contour is slightly more rounded than that of modern mass-produced instruments, with a smooth transition between the frets and the body. 3. Romantic guitar – Johann Georg Stauffer Stauffer’s guitars have a more delicate, seemingly asymmetrical contour. The waist is set high, and the body is smaller overall. This shape has a historical, almost playful appearance and was an expression of the spirit of the times in the early 19th century. The templates used for Stauffer replicas must adhere precisely to the historical dimensions, as even the slightest deviations can compromise the characteristic tone – light, sparkling, silvery. 4. Weissgerber ‘Record’ Model With his ‘Record’ model, Richard Jacob ‘Weissgerber’ created a particularly striking concert guitar with an expressive body design. The contour is modernist, often featuring a pronounced lower bow and elegant lines. The template for this model is intricate, with precise transitions that enhance the tension and dynamism of the shape. |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Musical Instrument Making: Structural and Technological Principles of Plucked Instrument Construction |
| Year | 2025 |
