Math and luthiery...

Ray Holt · #1 07-20-2006, 09:08 PM

Hey guys, I haven't been on here in a while!

I had a quick question for all you experienced guys. I'm going to be going to the Roberto-Venn school of Luthiery in August (I CAN'T WAIT!), and I'm trying to get prepared.

I wanted to know what kind of math you guys use most when building your guitars, what you'd suggest I study and brush up on. I'm just not sure what I should be working on as far as the math goes.

Thanks for any input!!!

Cerb · #2 07-20-2006, 09:56 PM

Obviously, I do not have as much experience as many here, but I actually used very little. Addition/subtraction of fractions (of inches/other measurements) was the only real math that I used. The rest was simply drawing out a scale design. After the design was decided upon with everything drawn out, I used almost no math.

Musiclogic · #3 07-20-2006, 10:38 PM

Know your ruler!!!! 1/32 - 1/16 - 1/8 - 1/4 learn your ruler so you can sight a measurement quickly and not sit there and have to count fractions. Also, learn to use a dial/digital caliper. other than that, like Cerb said.....rudimentary math skills. but a little linear equation knowledge is a good way to freak the kiddies at RV out a bit....LMAO Have fun!!!

Geoff St. Germaine · #4 07-21-2006, 02:10 AM

I would say geometry, trigonometry and maybe algebra in addition to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. You probably won't need to know any calculus or other more advanced maths.

DougP · #5 07-21-2006, 06:32 AM

i only need math to add up materials and tools costs.

seriously though, i agree with Musiclogic in that you should be very comfortable with reading measurements and converting fractions to decimal measurements.

Hambone · #6 07-21-2006, 06:36 AM

I would also get well versed in metrics. So much of what you'll see and use will come from overseas and they're all on a different system.

erikbojerik · #7 07-21-2006, 06:36 AM

Memorize the decimal values of fractions: 1/4 = 0.25 1/8 = 0.125 etc.

TRIGONOMETRY! Absolutely...you can certainly build a fine bass without it, but for drawing stuff out all proper like, it is essential.

Knowing the frequency values of musical notes also doesn't hurt if you get into the electronics end of things, i.e. A2 = 110 Hz etc.

Best of luck, it will be a fun experience I'm sure.

Geoff St. Germaine · #8 07-21-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hambone

I would also get well versed in metrics. So much of what you'll see and use will come from overseas and they're all on a different system.

Do you mean SI (metric) units? Metrics are quantitative measures of performance or production. Anyway, you wouldn't have to go as far as overseas to see the metric system. Canada tends to use a messed up combination of the two which is nice in some ways (most people understand both units of measure) and also bad in some ways (items with both metric and standard bolts for instance which gets annoying when you have to dig out two sets of spanners).

Hambone · #9 07-21-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff St. Germaine

Do you mean SI (metric) units? Metrics are quantitative measures of performance or production.

No, I'm talking about metrics - all of them - mm, cm, M, et.al.

Musiclogic · #10 07-21-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff St. Germaine

Do you mean SI (metric) units? Metrics are quantitative measures of performance or production. Anyway, you wouldn't have to go as far as overseas to see the metric system. Canada tends to use a messed up combination of the two which is nice in some ways (most people understand both units of measure) and also bad in some ways (items with both metric and standard bolts for instance which gets annoying when you have to dig out two sets of spanners).

Geoff....I just love your posts sometimes.

+3.14159

Geoff St. Germaine · #11 07-21-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Geoff....I just love your posts sometimes.

+3.14159

I almost lost my mind when a diagnostic probe that we had custom designed and built had both metric and standard hex bolts on it. I had finished adjusting one thing and was checking the right size of the other thing I needed to adjust. I saw that none of the metric hex keys fit it. Who would build something like that? I could see if the piece was built from pieces from two different manufacturers, but every piece in the probe was custom built by one company, so they knowingly put both metric and standard sized bolts on it. Infuriating.

THIRSTYGUMS · #12 07-21-2006, 06:31 PM

Can ya count to ten? I have only school level maths and ive done ok on my first forays into bass a-buildin'
Just measure, multiply, cut
oh and ratios are handy

Ray Holt · #13 07-21-2006, 09:03 PM

Thanks for all your input guys.

I've been doing woodworking for a few years (shelves, tables, bowls, whatever) and all I've ever needed was basic math, so I figured I'd be pretty good. The one thing I do need to work on is converting fractions of an inch to decimals. I can read a ruler very well, so I'm good there

I thought I'd be pretty set with basic math, just wanted to see if you all had some suggestions, can never hurt to ask!

Thanks again for the responses.

mahrous · #14 07-22-2006, 02:24 AM

i think whats more important than math is a good eye for designs and proportions.

many can do some cool stuff but they lack the sense in proper proportions, an eye for sizes and imagination. this comes really handy in designing and imagining your builds to speculate problems in the project and planning ahead

FBB Custom · #15 07-22-2006, 10:09 AM

A little geometry can't hurt if you stray from the beaten path of instruments or if you are very interested in action and setup.

erikbojerik · #16 07-22-2006, 04:22 PM

Who was it who, when asked how they build a guitar, said

"First I glue it all together, then carve away everything that's not a guitar."

Ray Holt · #17 07-22-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikbojerik

Who was it who, when asked how they build a guitar, said

"First I glue it all together, then carve away everything that's not a guitar."

I like that saying a lot!

pilotjones · #18 07-24-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff St. Germaine

I almost lost my mind when a diagnostic probe that we had custom designed and built had both metric and standard hex bolts on it. I had finished adjusting one thing and was checking the right size of the other thing I needed to adjust. I saw that none of the metric hex keys fit it. Who would build something like that?

Either one idiot, or two or more smart people who don't communicate, and are therefore idiots.

Quote:

I could see if the piece was built from pieces from two different manufacturers, but every piece in the probe was custom built by one company, so they knowingly put both metric and standard sized bolts on it. Infuriating.

budman · #19 07-24-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikbojerik

Who was it who, when asked how they build a guitar, said

"First I glue it all together, then carve away everything that's not a guitar."

It was Michaelangelo. Except it wasn't a wood and a guitar. It was marble and an angel sculpture.

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."