Hello! I'm planning on making a fanned fret 7 string tuned from E2 to A4. I plan to use an 8 gauge string for the high a, but am worried about snapping it trying to perform a whole step bend. How short on the treble side would you think would keep me clear of snapping on the high A? I was thinking a 22"-23.5" multiscale, but I'm hoping someone with more experience might be able help.
scale length to accommodate high a for custom 7 string?
- Thread starter memu
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- scale length
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stringtensioncalculator.com shows an .008 would be fine in that scale length I think. It would be like 18.5lbs of tension if u used an .008 for A4 on a Fender scale instrument.
D'addario makes a .007
D'addario makes a .007
odibrom
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22" is a pretty small scale length, generic for kids guitars. I say to go to a shop that has Ibanez MiKro guitars (22.2") and test if the hold the A4 tuned high string, which should be by factory a 0.010 gauge, as listed in Ibanez web site...
I imagine that you you go up to 23"/23.5" you could be safe with .009s tuned up to A4, which could give you the 25" or 25.5" for the E2 string without a crazy aggressive fan.
So, point is, test some kids guitars to see how far they go? Then decide on the path to go with your design.
...
Check this thread out: https://www.sevenstring.org/threads/tuning-with-a-high-a.260364/. I think there are more threads on this subject...
Paging @bostjan and @Winspear here for their insights on the subject...
I imagine that you you go up to 23"/23.5" you could be safe with .009s tuned up to A4, which could give you the 25" or 25.5" for the E2 string without a crazy aggressive fan.
So, point is, test some kids guitars to see how far they go? Then decide on the path to go with your design.
...
Check this thread out: https://www.sevenstring.org/threads/tuning-with-a-high-a.260364/. I think there are more threads on this subject...
Paging @bostjan and @Winspear here for their insights on the subject...
For high A i use the NYXL .007 on 24 inch scale and its a little tight but doesnt snap. I would say for your 7 go 22.5 -24 or 23 - 24.5(assuming you want to retain 1.5 inch fan)
Alternatively a 24 or 23 inch straight scale would work well too
Well 25.5" tuned to high G with .008 like on electric 12 strings is roughly the same as 22.5" tuned to with a high A.
I tried tuning a 25.5" with a .008 and got it to G#, but I wouldn't be confident that high.
I unfortunately don't have any shops around me because I live in the middle of nowhere. I'm hoping that a 22" scale will give me enough of a buffer so I don't have to worry about snapping it.
odibrom
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I had an Ibanez Mikro once, but didn't venture into that kind of crazyness. It's a 22.2" scale length guitar designed for kids, which is why I had it, but my kids didn't follow, so I sold it. I'd suggest you then to buy one (they're at about 200€ I think) just to try those possibilities and return it a few days later. You'll only pay the shipping for a test bed on scale lengths... obviously that there are other scale lengths to test, so if you find a guitar with the desired measurements, you can buy it and return it to test scale lenghts...
This can became an expensive test, but may also clear a lot of doubts for your project.
JimboLodisC
black Ibanez plz
shorter the better but your guess of 22-23" might be a good starting point
oddly enough Ibanez had this made for the anniversary celebration: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/special/50th_Anniversary/jpcs4.html
oddly enough Ibanez had this made for the anniversary celebration: https://www.ibanez.com/usa/special/50th_Anniversary/jpcs4.html
