Compliance of violin tables under static load in relation to tone quality
Norman C. Pickering · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1981
The static deflection of violin tops was measured in several places with and without string tension and with and without sound-post. A close estimate of the internal structure of the instrument can be made, with particular reference to the strength of the bass bar and thickness of the top in critical areas. The effective stiffness of the back at the soundpost position can be calculated. Data for good and bad instruments will be shown with clear indication of plates which are too thick, too thin, or too irregular.