The Science of The Acoustic Guitar - Iulius Guitars - Luthier Stories

[@ericgiova1663]

It's often said, and rightly so, that when someone truly masters his subject, he's able to explain it. Clearly, this gentleman is a master.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ericgiova1663 glad you enjoyed it Eric!

[@iuliusguitars]

You're very kind, thank you!

[@raymondomusic6832]

Fantastic discussion Michael. Well done.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@raymondomusic6832 thank you for tuning in Raymondo!

[@Bowie.]

THIS is why I subbed. I don't click the reviews but I watch the educational material multiple times.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Bowie. that’s interesting! I do showcases not reviews, as such you might find the other videos on my channel just as informative!

[@damianainscough]

An absolute gem. Certainly one of the most interesting guitar discussions I've seen. Thank you, Michael. Where would we be without you?

[@MichaelWatts]

@@damianainscough thank you so much Damian!

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you!

[@picksalot1]

Wonderful to hear such a great Luthier talk about his instruments and design from the standpoint of an Acoustic Engineer. This instrument of his that you played is aesthetically beautiful and easily has one of the very best tones I've heard of any acoustic guitar. I hope will we get a chance to hear more from Iulius and his guitars in the future on your Channel. Thanks

[@MichaelWatts]

@@picksalot1 thank you for listening!

[@iuliusguitars]

very kind, thank you!

[@eddiesguitars]

I was fortunate enough to meet Giuliano at the Fretboard Summit this year. His knowledge and ability to speak on it is, in fact, intimidating. Wonderful guy, and awesome interview!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@eddiesguitars great to hear from you! I’m really glad you had the chance to hang with Giuliano!

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you Matt, that's very kind of you! 😊

[@ethanhughesguitars6379]

Fantastic video! Giuliano is so generous with his knowledge and research.

[@iuliusguitars]

Thanks Ethan, it's a pleasure!

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it Ethan!

[@anthonypoole4933]

Love this interview. Inspirational, informative and humble.

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you!

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in Anthony!

[@SevdahGuitars]

I was really excited about this one. Thank you for bringing these stories to the wider audience, Michael! Special thanks to master, Iulius!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@SevdahGuitars glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@iuliusguitars]

you're very kind, thank you!

[@Bowie.]

I have his book and it's ABSOLUTELY worth it. Fascinating, even for those of us who don't build and are just curious at why guitars sound different. You don't find this level of info online.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Bowie. glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@iuliusguitars]

very kind, thank you!

[@adriansummers3462]

Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏽

[@MichaelWatts]

@@adriansummers3462 thank you Adrian!

[@alastair6356]

I love the science behind this it creates immense possibilities for a leap forward in the quality of tone and sound of the guitar.👍🤩

[@MichaelWatts]

@@alastair6356 there is still so much to learn about the instrument we love

[@iuliusguitars]

Yes it does indeed... Thank you

[@leelossi1257]

Wonderful video......I always learn a lot!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@leelossi1257 thank you Lee!

[@waynejohnson4819]

This video is very much appreciated. I use very similar principles to building my acoustic steel string guitars referencing from Trevor Gore's books that also confirm what has been presented in this video. I like how Giuliano explains the Science that is relevant to an acoustic guitar. I had have learned more important aspects related to Giuliano's testing methods of the soundboard top and also the design elements in the building of an acoustic guitar from this excellent video presentation. WJ Guitars, Australia

[@MichaelWatts]

@@waynejohnson4819 thank you for watching Wayne - I’m looking forward to playing one of Trevor Gore’s guitars at some point!

[@iuliusguitars]

it's a pleasure, thank you!

[@garychristol6256]

I love your videos, Michael. Keep on…

[@MichaelWatts]

@@garychristol6256 thank you Gary!

[@DiamondGuitars]

Most interesting! Must-see for luthiers and players. Thank you, Michael and Giuliano for sharing.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@DiamondGuitars thank you for tuning in!

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you, it's a pleasure!

[@davidheenan7432]

Great stuff! Thank you

[@MichaelWatts]

@@davidheenan7432 thank you David!

[@terrywright7893]

Giuliano’s work has to be an essential resource to any high-end builder: Somogyi meets Science!

[@iuliusguitars]

☺☺☺ thank you!

[@BrianAciper]

Fascinating - Thank you!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@BrianAciper thank you for watching Brian!!

[@andrewhnorris1]

I absolutely loved this episode. Just fascinating. Thank you

[@MichaelWatts]

@@andrewhnorris1 I’m really glad to hear that Andrew - thanks for tuning in!

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you!

[@michaelallen1966]

What a fascinating conversation!! Thank you both so much for your.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@michaelallen1966 thank you Michael!

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you, it's a pleasure!

[@jez6345789]

This was great, insightful, and very educational thanks for bringing it to us.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@jez6345789 thank you Jez!

[@robertnewell5057]

'Really quite intimidating.' Too true, Michael. However, I couldn't resist buying the book! An inspiring conversation with a charming man.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@robertnewell5057 thank you for watching Robert, I’m really glad you enjoyed the conversation! Happy new book day too!

[@iuliusguitars]

very kind of you, thank you!

[@robertnewell5057]

And thanks to you both, too. The book came yesterday, and is a whole other world. I'll send in my school book report somewhere on this thread, but I may need to ask for an extension.😉

[@enigmabletchley6936]

Excellent video: Great discussion and fascinating insights. Thanks to both of you.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@enigmabletchley6936 thank you!

[@iuliusguitars]

it's a pleasure, thank you!

[@szabolcsmezei4088]

Lovely interview, thanks to both of you!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@szabolcsmezei4088 thank you!

[@szabolcsmezei4088]

@@MichaelWatts ​such an intriguing approach, love the similarity to Ken Parker's way of thinking, also love the hybrid soundboard design on Giuliano's guitar.

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you, it's a pleasure!

[@theblueguitars]

This is an important interview! Bravo.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@theblueguitars grazie Mille

[@iuliusguitars]

thank you!

[@ellenrik]

Wow, fascinating stuff, where did that 31 minutes go. What a great insight to guitar building. Please continue in this vein. Thanks for posting.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ellenrik thank you!

[@iuliusguitars]

Thank you, it's a pleasure!

[@intersanctum]

It was pure enjoyment to listen to a true master of his craft, and, of course, you, Michael. Maybe one day when I win the lottery I will be able to afford Iulius, and who knows, maybe a Kostal, Casimi or even a Somogyi? One can dream.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@intersanctum it’s a beautiful dream!

[@iuliusguitars]

thank you sir!

[@theblueguitars]

Technical question for Giuliano. I have been told by a great player to not to hold the guitar so the stomach dampens and muffles the vibrating back. At ~ 23:30, wouldn't the body contact reduce the mobility(?) of the back, therein being a positive? My friend's theory makes sense to me and I seem to hear a difference. Is this in conflict with your findings (unlikely), or am I misunderstanding the issue of the mobility of the back plate?

[@iuliusguitars]

yes, your friend's theory is correct: when the back is active, damping it with our body would reduce its activity and also dampen the soundboard vibrations.

[@dalgguitars]

It all comes down to Ervin Somogi being correct. And all is right in the universe. Love the channel.

[@zachlefebvre4825]

So how can we get a beryllium soundboard? That’s my question. ;) Great video guys!!

[@MichaelWatts]

Good question! I did actually ask Giuliano if it would be possible… he said it’s unlikely

[@iuliusguitars]

apart from the riducolous price (more than gold) and the phisical problems (not available in such big sheets), there would be mechanical problems, due to the target mass that would bring to a very thin and delicate film. But other composite materials, why not? 😋

[@artvandelay1555]

On y fait du bon vin aussi MichaeI! i am always surprised at how many great luthiers are in Europe. Kevin Aram, Kerel Dédain, John Ray come to mind, but just dozens of very talented people all over. These interviews are very enjoyable. Thanks.

[@patberning]

Thank you for another interesting interview, Michael. I live in France, make guitars as an avid but did not know about Iulius guitars. On a visit to Australia some years ago I was able to spend a couple of hours with Trevor Gore at his studio, a very generous man. I also bought his books and have made a few guitars using his bracing patterns, neck/body jointing system and so on but I have trouble getting into the science of it, I'm afraid. Still I'm on the whole very happy with the sound results. Have you had a look at his books ?

[@MichaelWatts]

I am really looking forward to getting my hands on one of Trevor’s guitars at some point!

[@patberning]

Sydney's a long way off...

[@gregholmberg2]

If only we could get more luthiers to measure and publish the frequency response graph, the top's effective mass, and the monopole mobility (efficiency) of their guitars.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@gregholmberg2 absolutely Greg!

[@NordElectric-fi6sg]

May I ask you, politely and just out of curiosity, you what would you with those Infos? Did you try his guitars? Did u like em? Did u compare his guitars with master luthiers who built without this measurement? Can you judge a guitar without trying it just by reading a list of frequency?

[@iuliusguitars]

@@NordElectric-fi6sg thank you for the curiosity; trying and playing a guitar will never be replaced by any specification sheet, but a rough choice can be done, to get an idea of the type of instrument and the music better suited to it. it helps understanding the instrument and our preferences too.

[@gregholmberg2]

@@NordElectric-fi6sg Well, as I see it, the current situation with guitars would be like if car manufacturers didn't publish the car's weight, HP/torque, 0-60 time, MPG. Sure, it's not the only thing one cares about when buying a car--you also care about reliability, comfort, fit&finish, pleasing shape, etc. But it's something you'd like to have when comparing cars. And when the info is available, it encourages manufacturers to compete on those numbers, in addition to the other things. An acoustic guitar top's equivalent mass is like HP, and monopole mobility is like MPG. The frequency response graph shows you the frequencies of the natural resonances. The lowest one (around 90 to 100 Hz) is the air resonance in the sound hole, the second one (160 to 190) is the top, and the third one (200 to 240) is the back. These give the primary sound of the guitar. By comparing to other guitars, you can see if a guitar will sound like a parlour, a Dreadnought, a OOO, etc. You can also see if a guitar will have a wolf note (a resonance frequency close to a note frequency). Most factory guitars will have a monopole mobility below 10, high-end factory guitars 10 to 14, and exceptional guitars 14 to 18. You can see Giuliano's guitar is at 16.5. When a guitar is below 10, it is way over-braced and not very responsive (quiet, small dynamic range). Most manufacturers can't reliably hit frequency targets, varying as much as two semi tones from one instance of a model to the next. This is why you can play 20 D-28's until you find one you like. Seeing consistency in frequency response from a manufacturer is an indication that they care and know what they're doing. And if you have the resonant frequencies from a guitar you like, you can find other guitars you like. Yes, it will require some education for the guitar buying public, but with the information in hand, players can make informed buying decisions, and builders will make better guitars. The first step is just getting the builders to measure these things and publish them.

[@Joe-m6p6b]

How differs the top tension compared to a flat top and non bowed top? Which Focal Speaker did you create?

[@iuliusguitars]

The strings/bridge coupling is very similar to a flat top design. At Focal I'm mainly designing speaker units. I filed the parents for the TMD suspension and the M profile cone. The Utopia M range of speakers is my design, as well as the Beryllium M dome. And many others, it's been more than 10 years since I worked there...

[@Joe-m6p6b]

@@iuliusguitars ,Can i get the old inverse calitte tweeter like in the Wilson Audio Watt puppy anywhere and the 10 inch solider with 95 DB...!🤔✍️😀🎸

[@Joe-m6p6b]

@@iuliusguitars Chapeau, Monsieur. At the moment i consider buying an efficient speaker for my son,for tube amps. Any Idea ?

[@Joe-m6p6b]

@@iuliusguitars interesting, I live audio stuff as well

[@victorbeebe8372]

Mahalo Micheal

[@MichaelWatts]

Mahalo Victor!

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Everyone!

[@MichaelWatts]

Aloha Victor!

[@Joe-m6p6b]

A speaker corpus formed like a guitar or cello maybe with a back Bowl ( think Ovation) would be interesting Project with a good projection. Maybe a double symmetric tml or horn faltung with side vents? What do you think? Just ask Jaques Mahul?!

[@MichaelWatts]

That sounds pretty cool, kind of like a Nautilus?

[@iuliusguitars]

There are so many possibilities to explore... At the moment I am interested in the acoustic guitar, but in the future, who knows? The man I am mostly missing from the good old times is Gerard Chrétien...😢

[@Joe-m6p6b]

@cantilever73 I Wish you all the best. You are talented, gifted and an honest man. I aporecuate that. Greetings from Berlin.

[@Joe-m6p6b]

@@MichaelWatts you got IT, a double Nautilus...but smaller and with more efficiency playable with 309b single ended tube amp.....

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

God taught me NEVER to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, so I may be better off not completely understanding the acoustic guitar. Also, can we make a guitar from the Tree of Knowledge? 😂 Nice interview, Michael. 🐰❤️🎸🎶✌️

[@MichaelWatts]

@@JackTheRabbitMusic thank you!

[@Joe-m6p6b]

Frohe Weihnachten, Freunde! "Es ist ein Ros entspungen " kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYPNcouFmLmYmKssi=4vmjTclP61jatCXN

[@Joe-m6p6b]

Julius, I only want the marble!✍️🤔

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Joe-m6p6b 🤣

[@iuliusguitars]

one of the most ancient kid's toys...

[@Joe-m6p6b]

@cantilever73 As kid here in Berlin we loved to build a propper,fast and long Murmelbahn from sand and Lehm. Big fun IT was! 😁

[@longjonwhite]

How come your twin brother grew up Italian?

[@Zifikare]

Wilborn guitars are better looking and better sounding.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Zifikare That’s all rather subjective isn’t it? I’ve played guitars by both luthiers - have you?

[@Zifikare]

@@MichaelWatts No I have not but your video seems an awful lot like a paid commercial.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ZifikareI can assure you it’s nothing of the sort and I look forward to showcasing one of Ben’s guitars here too. I feel it’s important to speak from a position of experience rather than conjecture