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

[Heroin]

What's a comfortable tension for a 5 string bass in drop G?

 

[geohuete]

I have the rgd321 in drop B tuning, and ive been killing myself trying to find the right gauge. I liked 11-52, but the 52 was way too lose for a low b, so I switched over to 12-60. I hate that the 12-60 is just uncomfortable to play because of the gauge.

I'd want to try moving back to 11-52 but I heard you'll get buzz in the nut going from heavy gauge to less thick gauge?

Suggestions, comments anything, sorry for the newb question, thanks!

 

[Heroin]

I have the rgd321 in drop B tuning, and ive been killing myself trying to find the right gauge. I liked 11-52, but the 52 was way too lose for a low b, so I switched over to 12-60. I hate that the 12-60 is just uncomfortable to play because of the gauge.

I'd want to try moving back to 11-52 but I heard you'll get buzz in the nut going from heavy gauge to less thick gauge?

Suggestions, comments anything, sorry for the newb question, thanks!

if you want to go the cheap and easy route I'd get the d'addario 11-56 set, it's very comfortable in drop B. if you want optimum feel I'd use the string tension calculator, I'd help you out but I'm too lazy to use it right now haha. make sure you get your nut filed before you install the new set, this way there will be no buzz and the strings will fit in comfortably.

 

[geohuete]

if you want to go the cheap and easy route I'd get the d'addario 11-56 set, it's very comfortable in drop B. if you want optimum feel I'd use the string tension calculator, I'd help you out but I'm too lazy to use it right now haha. make sure you get your nut filed before you install the new set, this way there will be no buzz and the strings will fit in comfortably.

Why would i need to get the nut filed if the strings I had were thicker than the set i'll be installing?

And i'd use the string tension calculator but idk how to use it lol the 11-56 would be good though my guess

 

[BIG ND SWEATY]

you wont have to file anything and the 11-56 set should be fine

 

[Heroin]

Why would i need to get the nut filed if the strings I had were thicker than the set i'll be installing?

And i'd use the string tension calculator but idk how to use it lol the 11-56 would be good though my guess

if you already got your nut filed to a 60 then installing the 11-56 would be no problem, if you haven't done that yet then I suggest you should

 

[geohuete]

if you already got your nut filed to a 60 then installing the 11-56 would be no problem, if you haven't done that yet then I suggest you should

Yes, the 6th slot was at a 60, so wont it buzz putting in 11-56?

 

[Heroin]

Yes, the 6th slot was at a 60, so wont it buzz putting in 11-56?

the difference is only .004 so you shouldn't have a problem

EDIT: oh yeah, and here's the STC calculations, just for reference
len 26.5"

C4# .011" DAPL == 6.8kg
G3# .014" DAPL == 6.18kg
E3 .019" DAPL == 7.17kg
B2 .032" DANW == 9.73kg
F2# .044" DANW == 9.93kg
B1 .056" DANW == 7.24kg

total == 47.06kg

 

[Toxic Dover]

Hey guys, I've skimmed this thread a bit (and plan to do so more thoroughly later) and haven't seen anything on this yet... Yesterday I picked up an Intrepid Pro 828 from a guy on Craigslist, and the strings are all pretty dead... I'm not sure what's on them now, but I do know that the low string is too short because the end of the string (where it starts to taper down to a smaller size) happens before the nut... I plan on keeping it in F or F# standard... May dabble in drop E at some point, but have no plans to at the moment... 28 5/8" scale length. What kind of strings would you guys recommend?

 

[BIG ND SWEATY]

this is what i personally would use except for the 8th string because i like that to have about 17-18 lbs of tension on it
E .010" PL == 20.68#
B, .014" PL == 22.75#
G, .018" PL == 23.69#
D, .027" nw == 25.33#
A,, .037" nw == 26.22#
E,, .050" nw == 26.09#
B,,, .068" nw == 27.71#
^F,,, .094" nw == 27.86#
total == 200.35#

 

[Ror]

I have a 7-string with a 26.5 inch scale that I want to tune to ADGCFAD. I like medium tension. I was thinking a set of .011-.052 D'Addario's with a .062 on the bottom. Will that be balanced enough?

 

[Mason]

Okay, Plase Help.
I'm Buying a Schecter Omen Extreme 7
I Want It Tuned To (Low to High) ACGCFAD Or GCGCFAD
Would This Gauge Work ? (11 14 18 28 38 48 58)

 

[BIG ND SWEATY]

^if you like really loose tension

 

[Winspear]

^ This. I'd try a 52 set across the 6 strings and a 66-70 on the bottom. Still pretty loose.
But what are you currently using? It's all preference.

 

[Mason]

I Like Medium Tension On The High 6 And Fairly Loose On The 7th

 

[Mantra46]

hi guys, i put the strings below on my ibanez RG2228 prestige (8str, 27" neck) and i find the tension on the bottom note does not seem to be high esnough for the string to sound perfectly in tune regardless of how i adjust the intonation... have i somehow strung them wrong? i use standard tuning i.e. 8th strg = f#.

Thanks

D'Addario EXL140 Light Top Heavy/Bottom 8-String Electric Guitar

guys bottom string is 0.074 gauge... does anyone have any ideas? thanks very much

 

[Winspear]

Most people deal with it fine, but 74 is pretty lose for F#. 80-84 is a better match for a 48 E or so.

 

[Mantra46]

Most people deal with it fine, but 74 is pretty lose for F#. 80-84 is a better match for a 48 E or so.

awesome - thanks Eth. what strings would you recommend - should i change the entire set with a new set or just change the 8th string?

PS i got this guitar second hand - could the truss rod set-up be impacting the guitar or not?

also the daddaro strings i got are 10 13 17 30 30 42 52 74

thanks mate

 

[Artorias]

I have a 25.5" scale guitar and I like to to tune to G C F A# D# G# C#. I like a medium-tight string tension on all of the strings, but the only set they sell in town for 7's are D'addario and the lowest is .58 I think. So I'm going to order some. What gauge and brand should I use for my preference, and am I going to need to file my nut to make them fit?
Any help is greatly appreciated guys.

 

[Spicypickles]

So for the bigger gauges is it ok to just get a bass string? If its the same gauge is it essentially the same thing?

Specifically I wanted to get elixirs an I need as close to a .044, .059, and a .080 as possible. They have .045, .060, and .80 available in sinle bass sizes. I was gonna just put together a custom set on juststrings, and keep getting those