How Tight are Those Strings? What Scale Length Should You Use? - USTC Can Help You Figure it Out!

ustcv202.zip I discovered the Universal String Tension Calculator program (see link above) for Windows by Doug Dieter on the web and have found it very useful. He makes some pretty impressive instruments; you can check them out at www.kennaquhair.com Using the scale length, tuning, and string weight, USTC will calculate the tension for each string on your guitar. You can save the settings for future reference. When string tension is too high, strings break to easily; when string tension is too low, intonation becomes a problem and heavier weight strings are needed. USTC is invaluable in matching scale length, tunings, and string weights. Did you realize that 4 (or 3) strings you take from the 6 in a standard guitar set may not be giving you the best intonation and sound possible for your instrument? I discoved this first hand on my first instrument, a DGAD tuned 22" scale length instrument. The first four strings of a standard acoustic set sounded terrible because the string tension was not high enough. As the result of setup problems, mistakes, and broken strings, I ended up using strings 1,2,4,5 and finally got acceptable intonation, I improved the intonation further by stretching the scale length to 24" on the next instrument to increase the string tension. I will be using custom weights on the next instrument I finish and expect to further improve the intonation. A good source for individual strings is www.juststrings.com Have fun Doug

Views: 411

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

Uncle John commented on Rich's photo
11 minutes ago
Uncle John commented on Rich's photo
Thumbnail

Retro Radio Tin front view

"Lovely build.  "
11 minutes ago
Uncle John commented on Rich's photo
12 minutes ago
Uncle John commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #531 - ''Shou Sugi Ban''

"Ohh.  That looks extra good in the close up views."
13 minutes ago
Uncle John commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP 8 Stand Carousels

"Very cool, Alan!"
14 minutes ago
Uncle John commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

200th Zoom Meeting and feeling “The Weight”: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

"Love that song.  Kind of hard to play on a six.  Those one finger chords are just the…"
15 minutes ago
AGP # posted photos
13 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

200th Zoom Meeting and feeling “The Weight”: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

"Thanks BrianQ! We will keep the Slingerized covers coming!"
16 hours ago
Gary O'slide posted a video
17 hours ago
AGP # liked Rich's photo
17 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's video
17 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Doug Thorsvik's video
20 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->