What is it?
It is a handy
calculator to figure string tensions in steel-string instruments. If you plug
in your scale length, string gauges and tuning, it will give you a readout of
the tension on each of the strings. This is useful when you're trying to fine-tune
a set of custom gauges, or when you're working out how far you can push a drop
tuning before it becomes unmanageable.
How good is it?
Pretty good. It has presets for a whole range of instruments, and you can alter
gauges and tunings to your heart's content. However, the database of string
mass values with which it operates is necessarily incomplete--think of all the
different types and gauges of string in the world! So we had to fudge it here
and there. The most serious limitation is that it can't handle gauges above
.056..
What instruments does it work with?
At present: 6- and 12-string guitar, Nashville-strung guitar, mandolin, mandola,
unison-strung Irish bouzouki, long and short citterns. Drop tunings no problem. It may be possible to use it
to figure the tension in other instruments than those on the preset list.
How do I use it?
Click on the pop-up, and choose the instrument and string set closest to what
you have in mind. The form changes to display corresponding scale, note, gauge
and string type values, and the associated string tensions are calculated.
If you want to fine-tune the default values, overtype the scale length, gauge and the wound/plain popups. It may override some of your settings, but you'll see alerts which explain why this is so. Press Recalculate when you've finished, and the new tension values are displayed.
How do I deal with my special dropped tuning?
Type the notes of your new tuning into the appropriate input boxes. (To enter
a C sharp, type: Csharp To enter a B flat, type: Bflat.) It
will take a guess at the frequency, working on the assumption that your notes
are five semitones or less from standard tuning. Go ahead and Recalculate when
the values are in place.
If you're trying a --sixth string a fifth below normal, that sort of thing--you will exceed the calculator range. .
Metric is hard to use. Can I use in Imperial?
Yes. When you enter your scale length, use the code "in", like this: 22.5in
The calculator will respond appropriately. Note that, because the output is
being converted, there will likely be some small inaccuracy.
I checked your values against the ones given by [insert famous string maker],
and they're different. Why?
Makers who offer tension charts seldom state the scale length,
of course, but even with a lot of experimentation we've found that our figures
typically differ by 5--10% from the quoted figures.
