Doug Thorsvik's Posts - Cigar Box Nation2024-03-28T23:51:27ZDoug Thorsvikhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DougThorsvikhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/364391070?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2l3ilopap2lpb&xn_auth=noHow Tight are Those Strings? What Scale Length Should You Use? - USTC Can Help You Figure it Out!tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2009-01-11:2592684:BlogPost:167712009-01-11T03:55:11.000ZDoug Thorsvikhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DougThorsvik
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403477832?profile=original">ustcv202.zip</a> 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…
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403477832?profile=original">ustcv202.zip</a> 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 DougCreating Chord Charts for a Given Tuning - Fret can do it for you!tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2009-01-11:2592684:BlogPost:167692009-01-11T03:24:55.000ZDoug Thorsvikhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DougThorsvik
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403477289?profile=original">Fret.zip</a> One of the challenges of cigar box guitar building is determining how you are going to tune the guitar and what the chords are especially if it isn't a 6-string with standard tuning. I discovered the Fret program (see link above) for Windows by Danny Chapman on the web and have found it very useful. You determine the number of strings and what notes they are tuned to. If you put in the notes…
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/403477289?profile=original">Fret.zip</a> One of the challenges of cigar box guitar building is determining how you are going to tune the guitar and what the chords are especially if it isn't a 6-string with standard tuning. I discovered the Fret program (see link above) for Windows by Danny Chapman on the web and have found it very useful. You determine the number of strings and what notes they are tuned to. If you put in the notes backwards you can get Left-Handed chords which I find a real plus. It doesn't generate all the possible chords, but it will give you a pretty good start. You can display the chords on the screen and print them out. One site that I have found helpful that has a variety of tunings and extensive chord charts for each is Brian's huge chordlist collection. Here is the link: http://chordlist.brian-amberg.de/en Have fun DougMeasuring Frets the Easy Way - WFret to the Rescue!tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2009-01-11:2592684:BlogPost:167612009-01-11T03:00:00.000ZDoug Thorsvikhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/DougThorsvik
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/305688563?profile=original">wfret.zip</a> I just thought I would use the blog feature to pass on some of what I have learned building cigar box guitars.<br />
<b>If you are still using a ruler to measure where to cut the frets on your fretboard or neck you are working way too hard!</b> I measured and marked (guesstimated really since my ruler lacked the precision required for the job) the fret lines for cutting on my first cigar box guitar.…
<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/305688563?profile=original">wfret.zip</a> I just thought I would use the blog feature to pass on some of what I have learned building cigar box guitars. <br />
<b>If you are still using a ruler to measure where to cut the frets on your fretboard or neck you are working way too hard!</b> I measured and marked (guesstimated really since my ruler lacked the precision required for the job) the fret lines for cutting on my first cigar box guitar. I found it challenging to say the least and hoped I was accurate enough. I discovered the WFret program (see link above) for Windows by Jonathan D. Whitney on the web and gave it a try. I will never measure by hand again. I have used it for 24", 24.8", 25", 27", and 30" scale length fretboards. You can pick a popular scale length from a list or be adventurous and enter a custom scale length in inches or millimeters and you can print a template. I tape the template to the fretboard and just cut on the lines; it couldn’t be easier. Have fun Doug