Need the string calculator for 8s

[neurosis]

Hello everybody!

So I looked around here and found the gauge calculations for 8 strings on an RG2228 with 27¨scale.

But I lost the link and can´t find it anymore.

I am trying to get a balanced set to tune F Standard. I just don´t want to go to 80 if possible, so I was thinking of going thinner overall to keep the 8th at 74 max.

Obviously would like to avoid weak tension.

Has anybody tried the EB sets or even Dáddario that have come out or are you all going Cricle K and Labella as I have been reading on the forum in my search?

Could you all just briefly list the gauges you are using and for what tuning?

With that and the gauge calculator I think I´ll figure it out.

Thanks!

 

[K3V1N SHR3DZ]

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...on-calculator-7s-8s-does-fan-fretted-too.html

 

[neurosis]

Thanks you so much!!!!

What do you use for your 8 if you don´t mind me asking?

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...on-calculator-7s-8s-does-fan-fretted-too.html

 

[K3V1N SHR3DZ]

An Ernie Ball 9-42 set + 56 + 74.

 

[Nag]

if you want to use a 74 for low F on 27" scale, you'll sit at 14 lbs. That's pretty much the definition of weak tension...

Medium tension (18-20 lbs on the calculator) would require something from 85 to 90.

A Circle K 79 would be sort of a compromise

 

[neurosis]

Thank you both so much. With this I can figure it out. I have a set of 9s and a 72 on the low on F#. I guess if I keep my strings thinner on the highs and increase progressively to a 74 to 80 on the F I will be fine.

Does anybody keep a 74 on the 8th and then go lower than 9 for the first? Just wondering. I have seen the tendency for people is to go up in gauge rather than compensate down.

 

[Nag]

it's really just a matter of what sort of feel you like.

if you take me as an example, I NEED thinner top strings (G B E) for soloing, bending etc cause I have a shitty strength when playing these strings (matter of how I hold the neck and so on) but you can give me gigantic strings on the bottom and I will have no problem.

Best thing you can do is just load up whatever strings you have now, and readjust if anything feels too floppy/tight or is some strings are noticeable quieter than others

It's funny how ERGs seem to be such alien technology for many people... but once you get familiar with string tension formulas, get some guidelines and know how much tension you like/need/want for the different things you play, everything gets easier

 

[schwiz]

I've been searching around for string tension and have read some good stuff. But what I haven't seen is ideal tensions that people like (which is obviously opinion based).

I just calculated mine out (7 string w/ 27" scale)
0.1 Steel D# 311.1 Hz 16.2 lbs
0.013 Steel A# 233.1 Hz 15.4 lbs
0.017 Steel F# 185.0 Hz 16.5 lbs
0.26 Wound C# 138.0 Hz 18.4 lbs
0.36 Wound G# 103.8 Hz 19.5 lbs
0.46 Wound D# 77.78 Hz 17.4 lbs
0.56 Wound G# 51.91 Hz 11.7 lbs

Currently using Ernie Ball Cobalts

It seems as though I'm a little across the board. I like how G# and C# sound and feel, yet they have higher tension. But if I were to bring the higher strings up in gauge, to increase tension, I feel like it might be harder for solo'ing and bending and whatnot.

Does anyone have an opinion on how many lbs of string tension they've felt to be ideal for all around playing?

 

[neurosis]

I am going to try some stuff during the Xmas season and I´ll let you guys know.

I am used to 10-52s Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms tuned to D Standard on my Les Paul and 10-46 regular slinkies plus a d´Addario 64 on my Mayones.

I actually think my Mayones is still a food for thought thing… I don´t seem to be entirely happy with the skip from sixth to seventh string.

We´ll see what this comes to be.

I've been searching around for string tension and have read some good stuff. But what I haven't seen is ideal tensions that people like (which is obviously opinion based).

I just calculated mine out (7 string w/ 27" scale)
0.1 Steel D# 311.1 Hz 16.2 lbs
0.013 Steel A# 233.1 Hz 15.4 lbs
0.017 Steel F# 185.0 Hz 16.5 lbs
0.26 Wound C# 138.0 Hz 18.4 lbs
0.36 Wound G# 103.8 Hz 19.5 lbs
0.46 Wound D# 77.78 Hz 17.4 lbs
0.56 Wound G# 51.91 Hz 11.7 lbs

Currently using Ernie Ball Cobalts

It seems as though I'm a little across the board. I like how G# and C# sound and feel, yet they have higher tension. But if I were to bring the higher strings up in gauge, to increase tension, I feel like it might be harder for solo'ing and bending and whatnot.

Does anyone have an opinion on how many lbs of string tension they've felt to be ideal for all around playing?

 

[neurosis]

I think I want to try something like this for F#. That should work to begin with.

E4 329.6 PL010 0.00002215 15.6
B3 246.9 PL0135 0.00004037 16.3
G3 196.0 PL017 0.00006402 16.6
D3 146.8 NW024 0.00010857 16.2
A2 110.0 NW032 0.00019347 16.6
E2 82.4 NW042 0.00032279 15.8
B1 61.7 NW056 0.00057598 16.2
F#1 46.3 NW074 0.00098869 16.0
TOTAL 129.3

 

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Ideally I like my strings to gradually increase in tension from the high strings to the low ones.

This approach works perfectly on a 6 string - but not so much on an 8 where the low strings sound terrible if they are too thick.

 

[GunpointMetal]

Circle K Eight String Guitar Set - Light top
.082 .061 .045 .031 .022 .016p .012p .008p

on a 26.5" scale in drop E...when I was tuning to Ab on a six string I was using 12-56 Not Even Slinky's from EB, but once I hit G there was no way I was getting away with ~13lbs on the lowest string....the string couldn't even respond fast enough to be tremolo picked...If you do try Circle K, consider going up a few gauges on your lower strings....an .82 from them has the same "springiness" as a much light string from EB but with a more solid fundamental tone.

 

[neurosis]

Ok. For now I've ordered a DR heavy set with 11-80. I am also going to try the Daddario 10-74 set all for F and F#. Depending on how I like that I'll start changing things if need be. I am not sure I want to do the drop E thing either anymore.

 

[ElRay]

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/ex...on-calculator-7s-8s-does-fan-fretted-too.html

And there's "The Original" eKips/BangZero online Java app: String Guage and Tension Calculator - Version 0.1.4 - 26 apr 1998

 

[neurosis]

Well. The sets arrived. Now I have the daddarios getting some time to adjust. I'd say everything is great except I have a little fret buzz on the 8th that I'll have to adjust for. I don't think this is going to work for E but F# is ok and F is even better so I don't know. I might just leave it as is and play some Nevermore and Messhuggah…

We'll see.

SOmething remarkable and quiet funny is that the set d'Addario makes has a thinner end wight string that fits through the tuner perfectly while the seventh just won't fit… hahaha. Interesting design.

 

[neurosis]

Ok. SO I haven´t tried the DR set yet. I just liked the D´addario except for a few little things here and there. After adjusting my intonation and getting rid of the buzz the guitar plays great and I really love it. Also, having to adapt to the weaker 8 (not as weak as wad I had before though) is making my picking more precise. Overall I like the tension. I might go slightly up for the 8th, specially if I decide to tune lower. But for F in particular this is good. For F# it's great. But I want to play Nevermore and Meshuggah so it will stay in F.