Dispersion characteristics of multiple longitudinal modes of elastic‐wave propagation in bounded solids of various configurations were observed using a simple and efficient experimental technique. The technique involves (1) transmitting a short elastic‐wave pulse into the material using a noncontacting magnetostrictive sensor (MsS), (2) detecting transient waveforms of the transmitted wave using another MsS, and (3) performing time‐frequency analysis on the detected signals using the short‐time Fourier transform (STFT). Data acquired from a solid cylinder, cylindrical tube, square rod, reinforcing rod, and seven‐wire strand are given and discussed based on known theories.