Is there a difference between tension and stiffness?

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

See - tricky thing, string design.

+1 It is fun though....balancing science and exploration. I'm sure for people with degrees in mechanical engineering or physics, it would be less exploratory than my actions are.

[knuckle_head]

I'm finding that unless you have extremely complex modeling environments, there is no other way than science (physics) and exploration.

A good string formula on paper isn't necessarily a good string laid up.

And yes, it is indeed fun.

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

I'm finding that unless you have extremely complex modeling environments, there is no other way than science (physics) and exploration.

A good string formula on paper isn't necessarily a good string laid up.

And yes, it is indeed fun.

Agreed. I do have the most state of the art, string designing facilitly at my disposal though. I still find that I'm a player first. Whatever the "test" says, I have to play it ....with my eyes closed and my ears open.

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

There is a huge difference in core material, from the way it's measured to the way it behaves.

Round core is measured for diameter, hexcore is measured on the flat. Hexcore at its apexes is 15% larger than its flat measured size so they are already on unequal footing.

Consider as well that six ridges along a wire's length make for a stiffer core material than a perfect cylinder.
If core size were reduced when hexed material is used that would balance things out a bit, but that isn't what is customarily done.

The bigger restrictor of amplitude in actual construction of a string is not round or hex, it's using too-thick a core. It's also an overtone killer.

That's what I thought - the physics of the 6-sided shape has more rigidity than a circular shape.
I didn't know hex is measured from flat to flat so yes that 15% more mass will add to the rigidity too.

Do string manufacturers use different diameter gauge wraps on a identical gauge strings?
Does this too affect amplitude/stiffness?


Thanks for the great answers guys!

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

Do string manufacturers use different diameter gauge wraps on a identical gauge strings?
Does this too affect amplitude/stiffness?


Thanks for the great answers guys!

Yes....I know of two that do. I also was responsible for "re-designing" Trace Elliot strings when we resourced them years ago. We did that there too.

[Solarmist]

^ Sounds like a really interesting job!