String Tension Super Thread (Got a string question? Post it here!)

[gr8Har V]

what if i wanted to switch between G# standard, and drop F# without changing strings on a 7 string 25.5 scale? would it work if i took a 70 (what i like @ G#) and a 78 (what wuld mathmatically be correct at F#) and averaged them so i'd play on a 74? would the notes still be clear at F# or would that be where i need a longer scale?

 

[Dvaienat]

what if i wanted to switch between G# standard, and drop F# without changing strings on a 7 string 25.5 scale? would it work if i took a 70 (what i like @ G#) and a 78 (what wuld mathmatically be correct at F#) and averaged them so i'd play on a 74? would the notes still be clear at F# or would that be where i need a longer scale?

I should think a .070 will be fine in F# if set up right, so use that if you like it. You could try a .074 to be sure tho.

 

[gr8Har V]

I should think a .070 will be fine in F# if set up right, so use that if you like it. You could try a .074 to be sure tho.

.070 in G# is fine.
You don't actually have to use these massive gauges I suggested. They're just what is technically correct. Use what feels good to you.

how can a .070 be fine at both G# and F#?

 

[Dvaienat]

how can a .070 be fine at both G# and F#?

The difference in tension between them would be 6lbs. You'd feel the tension drop, but will still be playable.

.070 in F# = .038 in E
.070 in G# = .042 in E

I'd personally bump it up to a .080 for both.

 

[gr8Har V]

The difference in tension between them would be 6lbs. You'd feel the tension drop, but will still be playable.

.070 in F# = .038 in E
.070 in G# = .042 in E

I'd personally bump it up to a .080 for both.

yeah i did the math and a 78 would be the .042 in E. i think a 74 swould be fine for going between, cuz plan on doing the drop tuning only for for about a quarter of my playing.

 

[fireheart82]

how low can i tune this guitar caparison horus 24.75" 27 frets with exchanging 9-46 e std to tune lower with 14-68 strings i have.. dropped a? or is it to low.. i dont have the intonation tool you see..

 

[Rook]

I you have no intonation tool I wouldn't go too low, but anything over a 56 will do fine for A depending on how you like it to feel. Your upper end intonation will be screwed though, and I don't think a 68 will fit into gotoh hardware (the Floyd or tuners) I think anything over a 58 will be a struggle.

 

[CrushingAnvil]

I you have no intonation tool I wouldn't go too low, but anything over a 56 will do fine for A depending on how you like it to feel. Your upper end intonation will be screwed though, and I don't think a 68 will fit into gotoh hardware (the Floyd or tuners) I think anything over a 58 will be a struggle.

.65 is the limit for Gotoh and Grovers.

OP I think you're over doing it a little with the string guages although alot of people here use pretty thick strings whereas I don't.

If I were personally going to tune a Les Paul scale guitar to Dropped-A I would use 12-60.

You might want to get the appropriate tools though. Standard E down to A is a pretty big drop....

 

[fireheart82]

i think the
10-60 is good for c#. but dropped a or a# with no intonation..
the zakk wylde 10-70 set is for les paul only then if tuners doesnt take gauges over .65?

 

[Xk6m6m5X]

ive had 12-58 on my lp down to a standard and drop g...they feel somewhat similar to 9-42 at that low of a tunning to me...and they intonate fairly well

 

[Kali Yuga]

Sorry, I searched and couldn't find anything helpful. There was so many results that weren't even closely related for some reason. I'm tuning to G standard with 62s and it's incredibly loose, but I've only been messing around. I searched around some websites but couldn't find strings that look decent enough to use. What do you suggest? I was thinking 70s, but I can't seem to find any.

 

[Winspear]

I tune my 7 string to drop G# (that's D# standard with low G#), and use 11-49 + 70. It's a perfect match for my hands.
I would suggest a 70 for G also.
I use D'addario strings from Strings Direct website. The string is NW070. They always have plenty of less common gauges in stock and deliver very quickly. Also good deals on multipacks.

 

[Kali Yuga]

What similar American websites could I purchase strings?

 

[potatohead]

What similar American websites could I purchase strings?

www.juststrings.com

 

[Dvaienat]

Sorry, I searched and couldn't find anything helpful. There was so many results that weren't even closely related for some reason. I'm tuning to G standard with 62s and it's incredibly loose, but I've only been messing around. I searched around some websites but couldn't find strings that look decent enough to use. What do you suggest? I was thinking 70s, but I can't seem to find any.

What sort of strings do you like in E standard?
If you like 10-46, go with something like 80-59-46-36-26-17
That would give you the same tension (just about anyway).
If you like 9-42, then 70-52-42-30-18-14.
If you like rediculously tight strings like me, and would use 12-54 or 13-56 in standard, then go for 90-70-52-42-30-18. I'd go for this set, personally.

 

[Kali Yuga]

I bought some baritone guitar strings and the low 72 won't thread through the tuners on an Ibanez RG7420. Fail.

 

[Dvaienat]

I bought some baritone guitar strings and the low 72 won't thread through the tuners on an Ibanez RG7420. Fail.

Just drill out the tuner hole with a .078 drill bit.
Don't unwind the string; I have done this twice, and the tone of the string became deadened due to the windings loosening further up the string. I certainly didn't expect this.

 

[shnizzle]

What about a set like:
0.10 - 0.13 - 0.17 - 0.30 - 0.42 - 0.52 - 0.68 ?

try d´addario EXL157 0.14 - 0.68 and add a 0.11 or something. those are typically d´addario - brilliant and powerful forever. i haven´t tried it yet but i´m gonna.

 

[mikomiko]

im new to 7's i currently own an ibanez RG7321 25.5 im plannin to tune it down to

ADGCFAD

would 11-60 work for me do i need to set the neck and bridge height?

 

[Wiz]

What gauge would you folks recommend for the following two configurations?

- 6 string - Drop C tuning
- 7 string - Open C tuning a la Devin Townsend

Preferably something I can get right out of the box, although I realize that's most likely not going to happen for the 7 string.