Calculating neck and fingerboard specs

[tim mullin]

I find myself adjusting my fingerboard dimensions (scale length, nut width, string-spacing, taper, string setback, etc) on almost everybuild, and I confess I've sometimes made errors in my calculations. For my latest guitars, I decided to get this sorted into a spreadsheet to do the calculations easily and without error! I've posted the spreadsheet on my website under "Other pages", and you can find a link here: http://www.mullinguitars.com/calculatin ... tback.html

The cells in blue font are user changeable and are where you enter the proposed specs for your instrument. You can enter in metric or decimal inches, or you can enter a formula to convert, say, a client spec given in inches (which is pretty common in factory literature) to metric (which is how I build). The calculations are then automatic. If you don't want equal string setback on both treble and bass, you can fiddle with string spacing at the nut to give you the desired setback at the nut for one side, then all other positions are calculated for that same side.

I hope this helps someone -- it's certainly helping to keep my records straight.

[Kim Strode]

I tried to alter the blue numbers on the spreadsheet Tim, but a window comes up indicating the page is password protected and cannot be altered - is there a trick that I'm missing?

[Allen]

I get a message saying the spread sheet is encrypted and can't be opened.

[tim mullin]

Oh dear, I do have a love-hate relationship with Microsoft.

I expect some ofthe problems may have to do with my trying to save a worksheet with protected cells in Excel 2010, but in a format compatible with Excel 2003 (I didn't think everyone would have access to the latest version). Did anyone manage to open and use the original spreadsheet, or was everyone getting errors?

I've reposted the download link on my website, removing ALL worksheet protection (so, if you fiddle with parts outside the blue cells, I can't guarantee the accuracy of the calculations). The only thing that might happen now is that you may be warned that the file originated from the internet and you will have to "Enable editing".

Please, someone tell me it works for you now?

[Allen]

I don't have MS office on my Mac. But iWork Numbers opens just about anything I through at it. However I'm still not getting any lovin from this spread sheet. Says it's encrypted and can't import and open.

[Dominic]

I had no problems with them on 2003. Thanks Tim.
But I gotta say, Excel 2007 and 2010 are total dogs. I use excel pretty much all day at work and they are a giant leap backwards in terms of productivity. What was MS thinking??
Cheers
Dom

[Kim Strode]

Thanks Tim, Works for me now.

[tim mullin]

I don't have MS office on my Mac. But iWork Numbers opens just about anything I through at it. However I'm still not getting any lovin from this spread sheet. Says it's encrypted and can't import and open.

Ok, I think I finally have a version of the sheet that should open on anything -- including Mac Office and iWork, The sheet is now completely unprotected, so if you inadvertently change a formula, you'll have to accept responsibility for the result (which was the reason I tried to protect some cells, but didn't anticipate the compatibility issues).

Apologies -- hope the new version is helpful.

[Kim Strode]

I can open the sheet in numbers now Allen.

[Allen]

All good now Tim.

I'll play with it and perhaps I can protect the areas that need it and it should be good on my system.

Cheers mate.

[Lillian]

Open Office solves 99.9% of Microsoft headaches. And its free. I use Open Office Oxygen.

[Paul B]

What was MS thinking??

Dom

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