ROSEMÅLING A9 ANDREW GUSCOTT
Stradivarius guitar by Larry Jacobsen
What does music mean to me? Music is self expression in one of its purest forms - the medium of sound. It is a means of communication and also ones identity. Music should be shared. With the Bang & Olufsen A9 speaker the sharing of music comes naturally, but how was this accomplished before the technology to reproduce sound came into existence? Looking to the past it is clear that music has always been deeply intertwined with the human experience, and thus the ability to share music is an important part of life. The roots of social music can be found in traditional instruments, where performances by artists were shared by a collective, not listened to alone. The decoration of instruments can be seen to express the importance of their role in society - that of bringing people together. One of the most notable examples of this is found in the Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle.
Original photo by Martin Swan
Hardanger Fiddle
Decorative head
(Hardingfele)
A traditional stringed instrument originating from Norway. The primary purpose of the hardingfele is to entertain. This could be the musician, the listener, or the dancer. It is the ultimate tool for the sharing of emotion and enjoyment.
Fingerboard inlaid with patterns of mother of pearl
Spruce tonewood
Highly detailed patterning over the body - ‘RosemĂĽling’
Original photo from the V&A Museum
Pattern Development I would like to bring some of the decoration found on traditional instruments back to the modern world of sound reproduction.
Concept 1
Based on the Stradivarius guitar soundhole detail
Concept 2
Based on traditional Norwegian rosem책ling
Final Design
Graduated Legs Made of spruce - a material used as tonewood in acoustic instruments due to its resonant properties. The gradient effect is achieved by applying stain to the legs using a spray gun.
About me I am a passionate student who is currently studying for a degree in Product Design and Engineering at Brunel University, London. Now in my fourth and final year of university, I will be undertaking a major project in collaboration with Avon Protection Systems, with whom I have recently completed a 14 month industrial placement. I have a passion for anything audio related; I have spent a number of years slowly accumulating and building my own collection of amplifiers, headphones and equipment.
Andrew Guscott