Impact

That Martin Sound: Penn State's acoustics expertise aids legendary Pa. company

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A handcrafted guitar paired with complex acoustics measurements; the art of sound and the science of sound. All of these elements came together in a research project involving the research expertise and resources of Penn State’s acoustics facilities and the talent and tradition of Martin Guitar — an iconic sixth generation family business in Pennsylvania.

Micah Shepherd, assistant research professor of acoustics, and a team of Penn State acoustics experts worked with Martin Guitar to develop a method to analyze acoustic properties of guitars and components — to understand the science behind the variance in sound produced by different guitars and guitar components.

LEARN MORE about how Penn State’s Center for Acoustics and Vibration and the University’s Applied Research Laboratory have partnered with Martin Guitar.

Last Updated October 29, 2019