String-by-String String Set Calculator for Guitars and Similar Instruments
Strings sets are readily available for conventional stringed musical instruments. That is not the case for a non conventional instrument. In fact, the first steps necessary in the process of designing a new instrument type are to specify the instrument's pitch range and the open string pitches of each string, followed by specifying the scale length of the instrument, the nominal target tension of its strings, followed by selecting the strings to be used. This calculator is intended for use by luthiers designing new instruments that require new string sets. Musicians wanting to design string sets for existing instruments for alternate tunings should use the Simple String Set Calculator for Guitars and Similar Instruments on this site.
This calculator provides some automation for the process of specifying both scale length and nominal target string tension, if those have not already been calculated. It also provides some help in selecting each string from a menu of D'Addario single strings, and then composing a string set from individually selected strings. The output of the calculator can be used as a "shopping list" for the string set, and it can be imported into the "G" Thang Guitar Design Tool for use as the basis of a new instrument design.
Note that the string database used by the calculator does not include any electric bass strings. If you need to design electric bass string sets, please contact me about what you can do to have electric bass strings (or any other strings for that matter) added to the database.
Note that there is no documentation on this page for how to use the calculator. Full documentation is found in the book Practical Design of the Acoustic Guitar and Similar Instruments.
Initial appearance: March 22, 2025
Last updated:
November 11, 2025
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Terms of Service
The calculator is free to use for non-commercial use only. It may not be used for AI training or content. If you want to use it commercially please inquire about reasonable licensing rates. As for all calculators on this site, this one is offered for use "as is" without any express or implied warranty.
