Week 7: Research & Theory
Lecture
The lecture this week focussed on research and how we use it as a tool for our own investigations. It aimed to seek and unpack the methods involved with research. At the beginning of the lecture, Martin Hosken asked the question of what our own interpretation of the word research means?
“At the centre of research is knowledge, and therefore it is our approach to knowledge that we must firstly consider.” (Hosken, M. 2023)
My understanding of the word research is; To investigate, contrast and convey from a variety of sources based on one subject.
Is research a science, art, an exercise, or part of everyday life? I suppose it depends on what you are researching and how much depth it requires.
In the short task given in the lecture, Martin asked me to look around the room I was in and to observe my surroundings. I was sitting in my living room, which is not a substantially large room. The walls are painted a light grey colour and there is a large window, there are six spotlights on the ceiling, equally spread apart.
From this quick research exercise, I was able to conclude the room did not gain much light throughout the daytime, and this was made clear by the renovations made by my landlords.
It was interesting to see in the lecture how we could initiate our own research by evoking a sense of curiosity. Or how the study of words, their origin, and how their meaning has changed over time. Also, how we could depict a philosophical meaning from a subject focussed around the four main categories considered:
Metaphysics
Aesthetics
Ethics
Epystymology
The approach of the type of research that should be conducted was also covered in the lecture. Qualitative research can be quite an informal type of research and is not too dissimilar from conducting an interview. In comparison, quantitive research is more formal, following a strict set of rules where the research is measured, observed and calculated by a set of instruments or individuals.
Weekly Challenge
Before deciding on my chosen piece to research, I wanted to consider what was discussed in my previous lecture and think carefully about the type of research I was going to need conduct to get the best result for my findings.
My chosen object for this weeks task is my guitar, which is a hollowbody Gretsch. I love the aesthetic of it as it resembles an old-style, reminiscent of its jazz heritage. Its traditional look has made somewhat of a resurgence with other current musicians and artists alike.
It was purchased on my 18th birthday, so it holds somewhat of a sentimental value to me. The model name is G5422TG, the meaning or breakdown of this required some research.
For the serial number the Gretsch website provided me with sufficient information. I was able to understand not just the meaning of the serial number of my guitar, but also instruments dating as far back as the late 30’s. Serial numbers between 1939 to 1950 were all sequential. This was due to lower rates of production and a smaller market. However, this soon began to change and in the ten years that followed the guitar was produced in much greater numbers.
“Musicians were amplifying guitar sounds as early as the 1930’s, but it was not until the 1950’s that the electric guitar made itself heard. This was the consequence of the rise of rock ‘n’ roll. Perhaps because of the social impact of this new popular music, and the great changes occurring in American society”. (Millard, A.J. 2004)
From the late 1930’s, serial numbers were penciled on the inside of the back body of guitars, serial numbers back then were a lot easier to understand. It was only in the mid 1940’s the company began embossing the serial number into the headstock (Top end) of the instrument.
My instrument in particular was made after the year 2003. If you look at the second image above and compare it with these findings, the exact date of production from the serial number KS15053840 can be explained as this. KS is the classification given to guitars made in Korea. The following two numbers 15 are the year of production this would be 2015, following on from this is the month which is May. The last four numbers 3840 reference the build number, this guitar was the 3,840th guitar made that year.
Understanding the model of this particular instrument G5422TG, led me down a few different paths, but this guitar forum in particular gave great insight and is in line with the model of my guitar. In the forum, drmilktruck explains how the model numbers have changed over time.
A G was added in front to distinguish new from vintage. I also discovered that the second number being 5 distinguished the type of guitar model it was, this being the Electro-Matic model. It is unclear exactly what the 422 could mean, it could mean two different things. It could identify the colour finish or the unique model shape. The last letter determines if it has a tremolo bar or not, my model features the letter T, therefore, it is in fact the tremolo version.
300 word precis:
A hollow-body guitar aims to distribute a wealth of sound with deep clarity.
Inspired by the sound of Jazz in the 50s & 60s. This is a Gretsch G5422T, an Electro-Matic hollow-bodied electric guitar featuring a tremolo bar.
The guitar KS15053840, was made in Korea during the month of May 2015. It was the 3840th guitar made that year.
Featuring 6 steel strings, plated in nickel to avoid corrosion. It is a full-sized right-handed instrument weighing 7.8kg measuring 43 inches tall.
It features 22 frets and 8 markers on Laurel wood. Laurel wood is a moderately hard wood with a generally straight grain that makes for a smooth, balanced response and a delicate playing feel.
The material of the body is Maple wood. It is very light in colour with tight pores and thin grain lines. Because of its density and weight, maple wood offers a bright and snappy tone, with a decent amount of sustain.
The colour finish is Dark Cherry. The type of finish is Nitro, a thin finish where the wood grain can be easily seen, over time this finish will wear down uncovering the wood material.
This instrument has two sets of humbucker pick ups. These pick ups convert the string vibrations into electrical signals. This would then pass through an amplifier to project sound. The humbucker pick ups help produce a clean and bright sound to suit the genre of Jazz music.
A highlight of this instrument is the tremolo bar produced by Bigsby. A name in its own right. Paul Bigsby, who once built motorcycles in the 1940s for the Crocker Motorcycles moved on to building musical instruments. The tremolo bars produced by Bigsby offered a unique style a design that later on became widely used by other guitar manufacturers.
References:
Millard, A.J. (2004) The electric guitar: A history of an American icon. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Corporation, F.M.I. (no date) Dating Gretsch Guitars, Product dating. Available at: https://www.gretschguitars.com/support/product-dating (Accessed: March 18, 2023).
drmilktruck (2009) How do model numbers work? Gretsch-talk, 17 May. Available at: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/how-do-the-model-numbers-work.200401/ (Accessed: March 18, 2023).
