{"product_id":"monopole-mobility-jig","title":"Monopole Mobility Measurement Tool","description":"\u003cp\u003e• Developed with \u003cstrong\u003eRobbie O'Brien\u003c\/strong\u003e of O'Brien Guitars\u003cbr\u003e• Pioneering reseach by \u003cstrong\u003eTrevor Gore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBuild Better Guitars Through Objective Measurement\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery luthier has experienced it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou build two guitars using nearly identical materials, the same plans, and the same techniques—yet one instrument comes alive with remarkable responsiveness while the other is simply... good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat made the difference?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most important factors is \u003cstrong\u003emonopole mobility\u003c\/strong\u003e—the ability of the guitar's soundboard to efficiently convert string energy into sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCariko Guitar Top Deflection Measurement Tool\u003c\/strong\u003e was designed and manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eCariko\u003c\/strong\u003e in collaboration with \u003cstrong\u003eRobbie O'Brien\u003c\/strong\u003e for the \u003cstrong\u003eO'Brien Guitars Lutherie Academy\u003c\/strong\u003e. It provides guitar builders with a precise, repeatable method for measuring top deflection—an important indicator of soundboard stiffness during the voicing process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're building your first guitar or your hundredth, this tool helps you replace guesswork with measurable data, allowing you to build with greater confidence and consistency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat Is Monopole Mobility?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strings of an acoustic guitar produce very little sound on their own. Nearly all of the instrument's volume, projection, and tonal character come from the soundboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the strings vibrate, energy is transferred through the bridge into the guitar top. The soundboard responds by moving air, creating the voice of the instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary vibration of the soundboard is known as the \u003cstrong\u003emonopole mode\u003c\/strong\u003e. Monopole mobility describes how easily the top moves when energy is applied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA properly voiced top typically delivers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExceptional responsiveness\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncreased projection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImproved sustain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWider dynamic range\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetter note separation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalanced tonal response\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe objective isn't simply to build a lighter or more flexible top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe objective is finding the ideal balance between stiffness and mass for each individual instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Measure Top Deflection?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor generations, master builders have relied on experience, tap tones, and feel to voice their instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose skills remain invaluable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObjective measurement doesn't replace craftsmanship—it complements it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy applying a known load and measuring the resulting deflection, builders gain valuable insight into the stiffness of the complete top-and-brace system. Recording these measurements allows successful designs to be repeated with far greater consistency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany builders measure top deflection:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore bracing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter bracing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring brace carving\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore closing the guitar body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout multiple builds to establish proven targets\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, these measurements become an invaluable record that connects construction methods with the tonal performance of completed instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDeveloped for the O'Brien Guitars Lutherie Academy\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more than three decades, \u003cstrong\u003eRobbie O'Brien\u003c\/strong\u003e has taught thousands of builders around the world how to build exceptional acoustic guitars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis teaching philosophy has always emphasized understanding \u003cstrong\u003ewhy\u003c\/strong\u003e a guitar performs the way it does—not simply following a set of construction plans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Guitar Top Deflection Measurement Tool was developed specifically to support that philosophy, providing students and experienced builders alike with a practical, repeatable way to evaluate guitar top stiffness during the voicing process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDesigned for Serious Builders\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a first-time builder or an experienced professional, the Guitar Top Deflection Measurement Tool helps you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuild more consistently\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake informed voicing decisions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDocument successful builds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReduce guesswork\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetter understand the relationship between stiffness and tone\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDevelop repeatable building processes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour \u003cstrong\u003eGuitar Top Deflection Measurement Tool\u003c\/strong\u003e arrives ready to begin making accurate, repeatable top deflection measurements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncluded in the package:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGuitar Top Deflection Measurement Jig\u003c\/strong\u003e – Precision-built to provide a stable, repeatable platform for measuring guitar top deflection during the voicing process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital Indicator \u003c\/strong\u003e– A high-precision digital indicator for accurately measuring top deflection. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 kg Calibration Weight with Protective Storage Case\u003c\/strong\u003e – Precision 1 kilogram weight used to apply a consistent load during deflection testing. Supplied with its own protective storage case for safe handling and storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach component has been carefully selected to provide reliable, repeatable measurements, allowing you to confidently document and compare results from one instrument to the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Builders Choose Cariko\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Cariko, our mission is to design innovative tools that help luthiers build with greater precision, confidence, and consistency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking closely with Robbie O'Brien and the O'Brien Guitars Lutherie Academy, we engineered this tool to make accurate, repeatable deflection measurements simple and reliable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur goal isn't to replace traditional craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's to provide builders with another valuable piece of information that helps transform experience into repeatable results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the finest guitars are built through a combination of craftsmanship, knowledge, and measurement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAcknowledgment\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Guitar Top Deflection Measurement Tool was designed and manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eCariko\u003c\/strong\u003e in collaboration with \u003cstrong\u003eRobbie O'Brien\u003c\/strong\u003e for the \u003cstrong\u003eO'Brien Guitars Lutherie Academy\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principles of monopole mobility and objective guitar analysis that this tool supports are based on the pioneering research of \u003cstrong\u003eTrevor Gore\u003c\/strong\u003e, co-author of \u003cem\u003eContemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build\u003c\/em\u003e. His groundbreaking work has transformed the understanding of acoustic guitar design by providing builders with a scientific framework for evaluating and voicing instruments through objective measurement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilders interested in gaining a deeper understanding of guitar acoustics, monopole mobility, and objective design principles are encouraged to explore Trevor Gore's authoritative two-volume reference, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. More information about the books is available on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/goreguitars.com.au\/product\/contemporary-acoustic-guitar-design-and-build-3rd-edition\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrevor Gore's official website\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCariko gratefully acknowledges Trevor Gore's significant contributions to the field of guitar acoustics and his dedication to advancing the craft of lutherie through research, education, and innovation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMeasure with Confidence. Voice with Purpose. Build Exceptional Guitars.\u003c\/h4\u003e","brand":"Cariko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53873430495511,"sku":null,"price":259.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0946\/5220\/3287\/files\/MMI-066.jpg?v=1784063893","url":"https:\/\/cariko.com\/products\/monopole-mobility-jig","provider":"Cariko","version":"1.0","type":"link"}