"stunning bass-string shot"

Dave W · August 08, 2009, 11:30:45 AM

Frequenzy of the bass strings and high shutter speed of the camera lead to this suprising string-wobble footage.

There is no slowmo applied to the take. Sound is original.
video was filmed with a Canon 5D MarkII , Nikon 50mm lens on 1,8f.

chromium · August 08, 2009, 12:10:31 PM

Neat how you can clearly see all of the partials in the string's vibration.

There's some cool stuff on vimeo

nofi · August 08, 2009, 05:01:24 PM

you can line up your bass strings with a televsion screen and see the same thing. hold your bass fretboard up with the strings profiled against the screen and pluck a few with different frettings. oh yeah, the tv must be on.

ramone57 · August 09, 2009, 11:08:51 AM

I've done that, it's pretty wild. iirc, an A# is almost the right frequency to see a 'standing' wave.

Pilgrim · August 09, 2009, 02:07:35 PM

Back in the CB craze days, I had a car with a long whip antenna on the rear bumper. One night while parked under a street lamp, I happened to swat the antenna as I passed by and watch the a similar display - when whipping it back and forth, I could see 20 antennas, all of which appeared to be stationary. It's all based on the light wavelength...and in the original above, the shutter speed of the camera.

ilan · August 09, 2009, 02:14:33 PM

You see, physics is fun

nofi · August 09, 2009, 02:39:13 PM

this dovetails nicely with my noodling in front of the television theory.

Highlander · August 09, 2009, 02:43:22 PM

Yacannychangethelawsafisics...

ilan · August 10, 2009, 06:58:44 AM

Quote from: nofi on August 08, 2009, 05:01:24 PM
you can line up your bass strings with a televsion screen and see the same thing. hold your bass fretboard up with the strings profiled against the screen and pluck a few with different frettings. oh yeah, the tv must be on.

Closing one eye also helps seeing the effect.

OldManC · August 13, 2009, 06:43:11 PM

OK, I just posted this on my Facebook profile. That is really cool Dave. Thanks!