How to measure or calculate tension

[Mahcks]

Is there a tool or method to find out the tension of my strings.

 

[michael_t]

Here's the info on how to calculate tension from the GHS Tension Guide, prepared by @Jon Moody:

How To Calculate Tension

 

[HaphAsSard]

Is there a tool or method to find out the tension of my strings.

Here's the info on how to calculate tension from the GHS Tension Guide, prepared by @Jon Moody:

How To Calculate Tension

I suppose the OP meant an instrument or way to measure tension without knowing the unit weight (=linear mass) of the strings, but now that I think about it, could it be so simple as cutting exactly one inch of string and putting it on a precision scale, then calculate tension with the formula?

Iff (sic) it's really the case, why don't we all do it? Yeah, there's the thing about scientific tension (pull on neck) being only a part of the picture (flexibility plays an important part in perceived "tension"); still, a lot of unresolved questions here are about tension proper. Well, I can see the reluctance to butcher strings for science...

 

[michael_t]

I suppose the OP meant an instrument or way to measure tension without knowing the unit weight (=linear mass) of the strings, but now that I think about it, could it be so simple as cutting exactly one inch of string and putting it on a precision scale, then calculate tension with the formula?

Looking at the formula for calculating tension, my guess is very few people are actually willing to go to the trouble of doing it themselves, myself included. That's why I appreciate guys like @Jon Moody who's already done the tedious work for the rest of us.

Yeah, there's the thing about scientific tension (pull on neck) being only a part of the picture (flexibility plays an important part in perceived "tension"); still, a lot of unresolved questions here are about tension proper.

I used to live and die by the scientific numbers, but have finally come to a realization they should only be used as a general guideline. At the end of the day what really matters is how a set of strings FEEL under your fingers and how they SOUND.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

String Tension Pro

 

[Mahcks]

You guys rock!

 

[Jon Moody]

I suppose the OP meant an instrument or way to measure tension without knowing the unit weight (=linear mass) of the strings, but now that I think about it, could it be so simple as cutting exactly one inch of string and putting it on a precision scale, then calculate tension with the formula?

Yeah, it's that simple. I'd probably encourage you to cut 34" of string (basically, lop the ball end and the tapered part off), weight it and then divide by how long it is. That's what Skip from Kalium instructed me to do, when I tackled this project a couple of years back.

Iff (sic) it's really the case, why don't we all do it? Yeah, there's the thing about scientific tension (pull on neck) being only a part of the picture (flexibility plays an important part in perceived "tension"); still, a lot of unresolved questions here are about tension proper. Well, I can see the reluctance to butcher strings for science...

Thing is, if you do it, you're weighing only one set which isn't going to get you as accurate a measurement as if you were weighting 12 sets, or 24 sets, etc.. And, it would have to be a brand new, untouched set as you could make the argument that a set that's been played heavily has more mass (however slight that may be), due to skin and dirt from your fingers consistently sliding up and down them.

 

[n4vgm]

Keep in mind that any chart or calucator will be based on that manufacturer's products. I did recently use the D'Addario String Tension Calculator to adjust the tension balance and then ordered from BSO. Alot depends on the availability of single strings.