Abstract:
The purposes of this research, The Making Process of the Ranad Ek by Kru Chalow Jaichan, are as follows: (1) To study the history of the creation of Kru Chalow Jaichans ranad ek, (2) To study the making methods of Kru Chalow Jaichans ranad ek. and (3) To study the unique features affecting the sound quality of ranad ek. Due to the advanced development of materials and tools nowadays, traditional Thai musical instrument makers can produce musical instruments more quickly, but at the expense of exquisiteness. However, Kru Chalow Jaichan, a traditional Thai musical instrument maker, still adheres to the ancient traditional Thai musical instruments making methods of Jek Hui and Jek Fon, two popular musical instrument makers in an ancient era. The research found that in Kru Chalow Jaichans ranad ek making methods, the ancient tools and the application of tools are used in the making process of ranad ek wooden slats, for instance, pieces of glass are used to decorate wooden slats. Kru Chalow also utilizes the ancient method in which tenons are being made to attach wooden parts of boat-shaped resonator together. Kru Chalows ranad ek is in an ancient style which consists of 21 wooden slats and its pedestal is carved unlike those of modern time. Moreover, he has even developed his own unique pattern. In the making process, there are 6 methods which have significant impacts on the sound quality of the ranad ek. They are as follows: (1) The selection of wooden slats: the wood selected to make wooden slats needs to be flawless and from the same tree, (2) Self-created formula for lead mixing, (3) The elaborate and unique method used to chip off the underpart of wooden slats affecting the ranad eks low and high pitch, (4) The drilling of string holes: if the holes are made too wide, they will make the ranad eks pitch higher; however, if they are made too narrow, the strings will not be able to be threaded through. (5) The unique pattern of the ranad ek wooden slats improved and developed by Kru Chalow Jaichan, and (6) Specific proportions of the boat-shaped resonator. These methods make the sound quality resonant, complete, and exquisite.