Neck Angle Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the neck angle is:

\[ \theta = \arctan\left(\frac{H_b - H_n}{L}\right) \]

Where:

\( H_b \) is the string height at the bridge in millimeters.
\( H_n \) is the string height at the nut in millimeters.
\( L \) is the scale length in millimeters.

What is a Neck Angle?

The neck angle of a guitar or other stringed instrument is the angle at which the neck is set relative to the body. This angle is crucial for the playability and sound of the instrument. A proper neck angle ensures that the strings have the correct height above the frets, which affects the action and intonation of the instrument. Adjusting the neck angle can help in achieving the desired string height at both the nut and the bridge, ensuring that the instrument is comfortable to play and sounds its best.

Example Calculation

Consider an example where:

String Height at the Bridge: 20.0 mm
String Height at the Nut: 5.0 mm
Scale Length: 650.0 mm

Using the formula to calculate the neck angle:

\[ \theta = \arctan\left(\frac{20.0 - 5.0}{650.0}\right) \approx 1.32 \text{ degrees} \]

This means that the neck angle for this example is approximately 1.32 degrees.