<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2963" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV>RicB asked: "<FONT size=+0>My question is, whether or not spreadsheets and string calculation </FONT> <DIV><FONT size=+0>programs generally take into account these end lengths for basic scaling </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>work ? How important is it to gain the extra accuracy in taking into </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>account these endlenghts..."</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>RicB,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Although, I'm not JD, I can say that ScaleMaster does take the "Steps" (between undercover winding and overcover windings in relation to the "swedge".), into consideration. Most String makers have their own preference as to the length of the Swedge/Steps. It does matter, as you well know. How much? Not too much, IMO. (Depends on how "anal" you are in scaling..<G>)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>On a similar subject of this line of discussion, is the misconception that most have in regards to "Inharmonicity" and Harmonic Expansion, (i.e. "stretch"). In the real world Inharmonicity is not the same as Harmonic Expansion. The formula for Inharmonicity is simply that, a formula. Likewise with the Z formula, (i.e. "loudness" or "impedance". It is simply a formula for "getting one's ducks in a row", so to speak. Do these formulae help to make a piano sound and tune better? You betcha! Just don't expect for a "flat" Inharmonicity graph to produce a "flat" tuning. Get it?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>All three factors, (Inharmonicity/Impedance/Harmonic Expansion) need to be considered in a thorough Scale Evaluation/Improvement. Scaling is a long learning curve that has a lot of experimentation/implimentation along the way.  Just running the numbers won't cut it, IMO. Food for thought.<G></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>, </FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joseph Garrett, R.P.T.</DIV> <DIV>Captain, Tool Police</DIV> <DIV>Squares R I</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>