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Google Calculator and the Guitar’s Magic Number

Google Calculator and the Guitar’s Magic Number

by William Leirer

Originally published in American Lutherie #96, 2008



Since the frequency of the octave note at fret 12 is two times the frequency of the open string, the fret positions can be determined by finding a number that can be multiplied by itself 12 times to get 2. That’s the guitar’s magic number: the 12th root of 2. In one form or another, it is a part of every calculation related to scales, fret placement, intonation, compensation, and much more.

When Google perceives an entry in its search field to be math, it switches from search mode to calculator mode and displays the answer. Any calculator can solve a math problem, and there are plenty of online fret calculators. But with Google Calculator we can view the entire equation at once and see the effect of substituting one part at a time, helping us to understand the “why” behind the numbers.

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Letter: Regarding Alex Willis Book and Fretboard Tapering Method

Letter: Regarding Alex Willis Book and Fretboard Tapering Method

by John Mello

Originally published in American Lutherie #95, 2008

 

Dear Tim,

While going over a section of Alex Willis’ Step By Step Guitar Making with a student, I came across a tip on p. 109 regarding cutting slots in a tapered fingerboard blank and realized I had unfairly criticized the suggestion in my review of the book in AL#94. It may be a little ambitious for a student to make the precise wedge necessary on a tapered board of finished dimensions since a line scribed from the temporary reference face would need to coincide exactly with the centerline of the original taper to insure perpendicular slots, but it’s certainly doable. On an oversized board, the wedge would be less critical as a new centerline could be scribed referencing the temporary square face and the final taper cut based on this line. In either case, Alex’s suggestion was sound and my criticism unwarranted. I apologize. ◆

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It Worked for Me

It Worked for Me by Spiros Mamais, Steven Kennel, and Mike Doolin Originally published in American Lutherie #151, 2024   ■ Here is a double press for joining soundboard halves. It’s a real time saver because it allows you to glue two soundboards at the same time, quickly and easily. I used hollow profile tubes of […]

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Electronic String-Action Gauge

Electronic String-Action Gauge by Geoff Needham Originally published in American Lutherie #151, 2024   Classical guitar string action is a matter of personal taste and there is no single value that suits all guitars or players. String action is often expressed as the distance between the underside of a string and the top of the […]

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A Kerfed Lining Fixture

A Kerfed Lining Fixture by Lee Herron Originally published in American Lutherie #151, 2024   I like to make my own kerfed lining. It gives me control over material, dimensions, shape, and grain orientation. I’ve designed and built a fixture to do this (Photo 1). Photo 1. All photos by Lee Herron. I’ll most often use […]

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