Semi-log scale design

[Ron Nossaman]

>My question is, so what? What does this mean? Why would I choose a 
>different increment? I guess with a higher increment the scale would be 
>longer as it went down, higher tension, lower inharmonicity or louder 
>(depending upon wire size), but would "run out of case" sooner, or have to 
>be compromised earlier with wound strings, third bridge, etc.

Yes, that's exactly so what. Do the same thing with a spinet and see where 
the lengths go. Also see that the last two octaves or so of the spinet can 
be pretty much identical to those of the big grand, then you'll have to 
change the increment if you want to keep the scale in the case. Or you can 
set the increment to end up at the length you want and have shorter than 
you might like high tenor/low treble lengths. Go explore and see what fits 
where.


>  Might this heavier scale be expected to have a slightly shorter sustain, 
> all other things being equal?
>
>Thanks,
>Bob Davis

Not necessarily. You chose your wire size breaks to get the tensions you 
want with the lengths you chose.

Ron N