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Post new topic How do I calculate the tension for wound strings?
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Author Topic:  How do I calculate the tension for wound strings?
Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2007 5:10 pm    
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I can use the standard 'string equation' for calculating tensions and frequencies for plain strings, but what is the equation for wound strings? What about double wound strings?

Thanx,
Jim
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Ray Montee


From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2007 6:24 pm     ONLY Curious...........
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Jim: Not attempting to second guess you or to infer anything derog by my question but:
WHY DO YOU CARE? What is it that you know that the rest of us don't?

Just curious........
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Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2007 6:45 pm    
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I like to experiment, and before I build up a test jig, or try something a nice guitar, I want to estimate if I am screwing around with the tension and causing an unbalance. There are equations out there somewhere for the wound strings that must be simple to use, which is what I want.

Thanx,
Jim
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Lynn Oliver


From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2007 7:50 pm    
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Jim, if you look at the D'Addario web site you will find a PDF file with the equations and pertinent data for different D'Addario strings.

I've folded all of that into a simple spreadsheet for my own use. You're welcome to a copy if you know enough about Excel to work with it.
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Gary Anwyl

 

From:
Palo Alto, CA
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2007 7:53 pm    
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If you Google "string tension calculator" you'll find some online string tension calculators such as this:
http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com/stringxxiii.html

Here's a page that discusses the equation to calculate string tension (it's a linear function of frequency, length & mass):
http://www.greenmanhumming.com/html/StringCalc/Multistringcalc.html

D'Addario has a very good pamphlet about string tension that goes into some detail and gives the tension of their string sets:
http://www.daddario.com/Resources/JDCDAD/images/tension_chart.pdf
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Jim Bates

 

From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 30 Mar 2007 4:22 am    
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Thanks for all the inputs. The tension of wound strings should pretty much follow the same as for plain strings - just measure the diameter of the core wire, since the wrapping should have little or no effect in tension.

What I am after is the simple equation, if any, for calculating the frequency of a wound (or double wound string), and the resulting tension to get get that frequency. The other variable is the length of the winding, such as in a piano string where the ends of the wound string are plain and the windings are different lengths. I will contact the Mapes string company and see what they have.

Thanx,
Jim
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 30 Mar 2007 7:04 am    
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As I understand it, the tension formula doesn't change. You have to know the diameter of the core, though. The tension is based on the core wire, not on the windings.
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