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

[HeaDdY]

2 DjentIsMyReligion

better .010 -0.68 I think ... I use on my Ibanez K7 25.5 scale .011 -.072 in Drop G and it's ok, so on your RGD should be ok

 

[Mantra46]

Hi all,

I've owned an Ibanez RG2228 8-str for a while now and have always had problems with tension on the 8th string and getting a crisp sound that stays in tune. I've been trying progressively heavier gauge strings (particularly on the 7th/8th strings) and have ended up with the following:

86 / 80 / 54 / 42 / 30 / 17 / 13 / 10

Even with this, i was still not happy with the level of tension so i have tuned the strings up to G#/C#/F#/C/E/A/C#/F#.

Now the tension is awesome, perhaps a little too much (lol) but the action down the bottom half of the guitar is huge (perhaps 4mm clearance) and this renders it unplayable.... i've tried tightening the screws on the bridge to reduce action but they will not move at all (and the action was not as bad before i tuned the guitar up)... i've also tried tightening the truss rod but then i get fret buzz at the top (there is not much clearance on the top 1-2 frets).

Does anyone have any ideas on what i should try to do?

Thanks

 

[AimlessArrow]

Are these string gauges wonky? I play in F#
.009 guitar plain core (no wrap) CKS-G009S $0.70 $0.70
.011 guitar plain core (no wrap) CKS-G011S $0.70 $0.70
.016 guitar plain core (no wrap) CKS-G016S $0.70 $0.70
.026 hybrid guitar string CKS-G026H $1.10 $1.10
.035 hybrid guitar string CKS-G035H $1.30 $1.30
.045 hybrid guitar string CKS-G045H $1.30 $1.30
.059 hybrid guitar string CKS-G059H $3.10 $3.10
.076 hybrid guitar string


Also, what do you guys think of EMGx's? I believe I would still have to do some toying around to get those in my DC800, wouldn't I?

 

[Hollowway]

Hard to tell if they're wonky or not. Post your scale length and the tensions from a string tension calculator and it will be better to see how they measure up.

 

[XEN]

Those gauges look solid for 27" but the tuning machined on the DC800 are going to need to be bore out for the low B and the low F#. Stock Sperzels can do up to 0.054".

 

[crg123]

^ Or if you patient enough you can unwind the string until it meets a point where it wont interfere with the tuner. That's what I do for my D# and G# string on my 27 scale 8 string (.094 and .065 respectively)

 

[AimlessArrow]

Really wish more companies would start making the larger gauges tapered. Think I might just go the tuner widening route. Is this safely self doable? What's the safest way to go about that?

 

[Cremated]

Those gauges look solid for 27" but the tuning machined on the DC800 are going to need to be bore out for the low B and the low F#. Stock Sperzels can do up to 0.054".

I have a .064 as B on my DC800 with Sperzels... It fits fine.

 

[Hollowway]

Really wish more companies would start making the larger gauges tapered. Think I might just go the tuner widening route. Is this safely self doable? What's the safest way to go about that?

I haven't done it, but I usually just unwind the string, which is super easy. And then it makes it easy to get the string winding around the peg, too.

So it's your DC800 you're stringing up?

 

[AimlessArrow]

I have a .064 as B on my DC800 with Sperzels... It fits fine.

Nice. We'll see about that 78 I guess.

 

[AimlessArrow]

I haven't done it, but I usually just unwind the string, which is super easy. And then it makes it easy to get the string winding around the peg, too.

So it's your DC800 you're stringing up?

Yup. First string change. I want less tension Since i'm used to downtuned 6's.

 

[Cremated]

Plus the Low F# that comes on the DC800 is a .068, I believe, and it fits in the Sperzel, so .054 isn't the maximum.

I'm pretty sure you could get up to a .074 in the sperzel.

 

[Kroaton]

We have a dedicated thread for this type of question - http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/be...-thread-got-string-question-post-here-49.html

 

[Mantra46]

Hi all,

I've owned an Ibanez RG2228 8-str for a while now and have always had problems with tension on the 8th string and getting a crisp sound that stays in tune. I've been trying progressively heavier gauge strings (particularly on the 7th/8th strings) and have ended up with the following:

86 / 80 / 54 / 42 / 30 / 17 / 13 / 10

Even with this, i was still not happy with the level of tension so i have tuned the strings up to G#/C#/F#/C/E/A/C#/F#.

Now the tension is awesome, perhaps a little too much (lol) but the action down the bottom half of the guitar is huge (perhaps 4mm clearance) and this renders it unplayable.... i've tried tightening the screws on the bridge to reduce action but they will not move at all (and the action was not as bad before i tuned the guitar up)... i've also tried tightening the truss rod but then i get fret buzz at the top (there is not much clearance on the top 1-2 frets).

Does anyone have any ideas on what i should try to do?

Thanks

No opinions on this?

 

[crg123]

Update the .094 circle k string I got for D# tuning on my 27" scale 8 string is amazing! It sounds great even through heavily distorted settings and intonates perfectly. I even tuned it up to F and the tension still feels great. I'm really impressed Skip, you've earned a customer for life!

 

[HeaDdY]

^ Or if you patient enough you can unwind the string until it meets a point where it wont interfere with the tuner. That's what I do for my D# and G# string on my 27 scale 8 string (.094 and .065 respectively)

I do the same thing on my 25.5" scale K7 for the low 7th string .072 gauge. and it's just OK

 

[DjentIsMyReligion]

Hi

I'm owner of a Ibanez RGD2127Z and I wanna play in Drop Ab.
I don't have any experience with 26.5 scale guitars and low tunings, so I ask you if you have an advice for me, which string gauge I should use.

.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .059

or maybe

.010, .013 .017, .030, .042, .052, .068

I would be glad if I would get an answer from you!

Many thanks from Switzerland!

any other suggestions?
(HeaDdY said 10-68)

 

[Winspear]

The 10-68 set is pretty terrible. The 42 A string and 52 E string are very tight compared to the 68 A which is more like a 46 E.

Get as close to this as possible:
70
45
33
25
17
13
9/10

 

[Winspear]

45-70 looks extreme in numbers but it will feel perfect as they are a tension match when tuned in drop relation.
I suggest buying these strings individually from Circle K strings, or a a 6 set+1 single. Shipping to you should be about $16 - they have multiple buy discounts and are incredibly high quality. The tone of the 70 which is potentially problematic, will be much better from Circle K than any other brand.

If that's not an option, I suggest sets such as:
HRS-74 Nickel-Plated Round Wound – 7-String, 10-70

or
D'Addario Strings : XL Nickel Round Wound : EXL110 Nickel Wound, Regular Light, 10-46 and a single NW070 or NW068.
The Labellas would be my first choice. If going with the D'addarios the tone of the NW070 will likely be a bit dull - you could counteract this with a PSG070 which is a brighter steel string instead of nickel.

The Circle K will sound best by far, not to mention having more balanced gauges like I typed up.

 

[DjentIsMyReligion]

Thank you very much for your answer!
I've this one at home: D'Addario Strings : XL Nickel Round Wound : EXL110-7 Nickel Wound, 7-String, Regular Light, 10-59
So now I just need a thicker string for the low A... U really think the .059 will be too loose?