Question about setting string tension when using a bridge

[David Harrison]

Hello,

I'm trying to make a lyre, using harp strings.

I've got a nice program that lets me enter the information about the note I want, string material, length and diameter and gives me results about the tension.

What i'm a bit confused about is when it comes to me using a bridge. So I will have two string lengths, one is total and the other is vibrating length.

With the program do I work to my vibrating length or to total length? Will the program still work like this?

If anyone could help that would be great.

Thanks

[Mark Swanson]

I don't know what program you are using so I can't speak to that, but you need to be concerned with the vibrating length of the string. The other length has no bearing.

[Clay Schaeffer]

Hi David,
Your program should work fine. As Mark said it is the vibrating length you will use for your calculations. The bridge is stopping the string much as a fret would do on a guitar.

[Jon Whitney]

Can you share the name of the program? If it is freeware could you send it to the sysop to be put on the software library pages for download?

[David Harrison]

Thanks for the replies. I can't remember the name of the program but I'll find out and post back with it.

[David Harrison]

The program is here http://www.harpkit.com/mm5/merchant.mvc ... nganalysis

I had to actually do a paypal transaction of 0.00 to get it. I might not have done this correctly though. Though its for harps, I think its also compatible for other instruments, you can select which string material as part of the process.