Abstract: A method and system for measuring quantitatively the energy damping capacity of a specimen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tip of the polymer sleeve of the handpiece of the system is placed directly against the specimen to be tested. The alignment of the handpiece is aided by the polymer tip which maintained the handpiece approximately orthogonal to the specimen surface and a level indicator for aiding the user to keep the handpiece approximately horizontal. Upon the pressing of a finger switch on the handpiece, a magnetic coil within the handpiece propels a tapping rod strikes the specimen multiple times per cycle creating stress waves that traveled through the tapping rod. Vibrations are attenuated by the polymer sleeve so as to not disturb the sensitive measurements. An accelerometer within the handpiece coupled with the tapping rod measures signals corresponding to the resulting stress waves.