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

[Pilgrim of the Dark]

So, I'm new to dealing with tension; I ised to just buy a set and slap them on. However, now that I've purchased an Ibanez RG852 Prestige 8 string that comes stock with a .065 F# string... I'm seeing the importance of tension calculators. The stock strings on this guitar are flubby and sound like garbage with plenty of buzzing all over on the low B and F# (tuned to E) at 2.6mm action at 12th fret and slight neck relief.

I've get calculating a balanced set, but I had a couple questions to further help me choose:

1) what is the optimal tension in pounds to shoot for? I hear around 14-15, and others say to try to stay around 19-20...

2) what do you balance off of, the highest string and try to get everything else's tension to match up?

3) how do you know how many pounds if tension will work for you?

 

[t_rod]

I usually never need this thread because I know my tension stuff pretty well, but I got hit with some serious WTF just now.

I have an Ibanez RG827 (premium 7-string RG, edge zero-ii trem) and a Jackson Stars RR-J2SP (same specs as Jackson RR24, 6-string, schaller floyd).

The Ibanez is set up in standard tuning with 9-12-16-26-36-48-62 strings (Ernie Ball mixed with Skull Strings) and the Jackson is in drop C# with 10-14-18-28-38-56 Elixir strings.

I threw all this in the String Tension Calculator and turns out, the strings on the Jackson have slightly more tension. BUT BUT BUT they feel a lot easier to play... at least to trempick black metal style stuff on. It's less tiring on my picking hand, the strings feel like they resist less (on the Ibanez I have to push harder with my wrist, which is very tiring when trempicking fast chords). How is that possible ? why does it play easier if the strings are tighter ?

Now apparently there's "perceived tension", and I wanna know if someone can explain me WTF is going on here. the only major differences I can see between both guitars is, not the same trem system, and the Ibanez is a 7-string (but I don't see how that would affect this here issue). string brand ? elixirs being more flexible than EBs ?

so yeah, any info is welcome.

I think it has to do with the number of springs in the trem and the fact the the 7 string holds the trem springs with tighter overall tension than a 6 string.
Say a 7 and a 6 string both have 15lbs of tension on all the strings. 7X15=105 while 6x15=90. At tuning, all the forces are balanced. The springs a pulling with 105lbs to match the 7 strings, and the springs on the 6 are pulling with 90lbs. But, total force equals 0 (105-105,90-90) because nothing is accelerating, its balanced. When you pull, or pluck, on the string its no longer balanced and now you pulling against greater tension on the 7 vs the 6.
I have a lighter gauge set on my 7 than my 6, but the 7 still feels heavier to bend.

 

[Black43]

Ok, I apologize for the noob question (I've asked a lot of these lately) but if I put 10-52's on a 6 string Edge Zero II-equipped Ibanez Premium, will I have to readjust the whole guitar? For example re-intonate, adjust neck relief etc. just because I changed the string gauge? (from 9-42's)

 

[sadicus]

Hey everyone,
I have a project guitar I'm experimenting with, anyone using a tuning like this?
Douglas Hadron 725
Douglas Hadron 725 NA - RondoMusic.com

Current gauges: .015, .018, .026, .036, .046, .054, .064
Current Tuning: e4 G3 B3 D3 A2 D2 A1

Optimal gauges: .017 .020 .029 .040 .052 .051 .072
Desired Tuning: D4 A3 F3 C3 G2 C2 G1

..Also, looking for a TX Lutherie that is not afraid to work on extended range guitars, and Floyd Rose setups.

 

[crg123]

My Kalium strings order for my friend's OAF FF 27"-30" Scale 10 string that I'm borrowing while he studies abroad. I'm tuning it to BEADGCFADG

5x .008 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .011 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .014 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .018 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .025 hybrid guitar string
1x .033 hybrid guitar string
1x .045 hybrid guitar string
1x .061 hybrid guitar string
1x .082 hybrid guitar string
1x .106 hybrid guitar string

* Note all the .008's I bought to be sure with the G string haha. Skip said that with a 27" Scale G should work fine with their .008's but can never be too safe!

I don't really have any questions since this is what they came up with for me, but I just wanted to show it off since it's a pretty wild variety due to the Fanned frets and the 10 strings haha.

 

[crg123]

My Kalium strings order for my friend's OAF FF 27"-30" Scale 10 string that I'm borrowing while he studies abroad. I'm tuning it to BEADGCFADG

5x .008 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .011 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .014 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .018 guitar plain core (no wrap)
1x .025 hybrid guitar string
1x .033 hybrid guitar string
1x .045 hybrid guitar string
1x .061 hybrid guitar string
1x .082 hybrid guitar string
1x .106 hybrid guitar string

* Note all the .008's I bought to be sure with the G string haha. Skip said that with a 27" Scale G should work fine with their .008's but can never be too safe!

I don't really have any questions since this is what they came up with for me, but I just wanted to show it off since it's a pretty wild variety due to the Fanned frets and the 10 strings haha.

Edit: After looking at this thing for a bit since I got it, I really hope that the .106 works. It might be too big to fit through the bridge, and might not sit on the nut properly since the nut is cut super close to the edge of the fretboard... I guess I'll find out today. It's Hollowway's old OAF if you're curious.


damn, I didn't mean to create a new post, I just wanted to update my old one...

 

[vilk]

I've got a 28" scale 7 string on the way. I'm thinking to tune it to drop F...

I don't suppose I ought to really use any string packs that I would find at the store because generally these aren't designed for 28" scale guitars...

I know there's a string tension calculator and all that jazz but I don't know how to use it or what any of the information it turns out means. Because I'm a dummy. So can one of you smarties just tell me what to do? Please

 

[Daeniel]

Hi guys, I want to tune my JP7 to DropA - any advice on which string gauges I should get? Thanks!

 

[Preacher]

Can anyone have a look at this and let me know what you think?

Scale: 28 5/8 inches or 727.05mm
Note Gauge Tension Plain/Wound
f#4 7 15 PLAIN
d#4 10 16.61 PLAIN
B3 12 15.94 PLAIN
F#3 16 18.45 PLAIN
b2 26 19.01 wound
F#2 35 18.88 wound
b1 50 17.8 wound
F#1 68 17 wound


Seems ok to me for a normalish set, im trying to take an open B tuning and expand it to a higher and lower note. I normally tune open C, but the scale on my 8 makes reaching g4 a risky proposition.

 

[TOM4S]

Hello!
Help, I need an advice concerning strings. I'm a bit lost in the strings gauges, I've just had my first 7 strings baritone guitar and I want to change the strings because they are a bit too soft for a G# tuning.

For my Ibanez Apex 1 (tuned to A) I use a 10-60, but I think it's too much for a baritone, am I wrong? Actually, it's the baritone thing which screws my points of reference.

Complete tuning from low to high: G#,C#,F#,B,E,G#,C#

Thanks!

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

Trying to find a set that feels balanced on my 25.5 inch 7 string.

Currently I use 10/13/17p/26w/36/46/62 tuned to B standard. No significant problems, but I can only bend the high E string up by one step. I want to try something that's a bit more well-balanced on the heavier strings, but I also want to be able to bend my thinner strings. I was thinking of something like 9/11/16p/26w/36/48/64. My question ultimately comes down to this: will I be able to bend with greater ease using these gauges? Is it dangerous for my neck to have a relatively high amount of tension on the heavier strings, and comparatively less on the smallest three?

Also, would a 12 work better than an 11 in this context? The 11 only have 11 lbs of tension, while a 9 at E has 13.1 lbs and a 16 at G has 14.7 lbs.

I'd use a 12 instead of an 11 so 9, 12, 16, 26, 36, 48, 64.

 

[VaultDweller]

I just got a 25" scale PRS SE Custom 25 7-string, and I wanna be able to tune it down to drop Ab/G# without re-tuning every 30 seconds. I've been searching on the forum for correct gauges, and there are a lot of different opinions.

I have two questions:
What gauge do you recommend, and why? I know Aaron Marshall uses a .68 on the 7th. Will .10 .13 .17 .30 .42 .52 .68 be good?
What brand do you recommend? I wanted to try Circle K strings, but on their website it said that through body stringing will not work because of the tapered section on their strings being too short for that.

Thanks

 

[TauSigmaNova]

I play E standard and Drop D on a 25.5 with 10-46 gauges. What do I pick for C standard and Drop C on the same.guitar with same or a little more tension.

Thinking maybe 11-54 Beefy Slinky by EB?

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

I just got a 25" scale PRS SE Custom 25 7-string, and I wanna be able to tune it down to drop Ab/G# without re-tuning every 30 seconds. I've been searching on the forum for correct gauges, and there are a lot of different opinions.

I have two questions:
What gauge do you recommend, and why? I know Aaron Marshall uses a .68 on the 7th. Will .10 .13 .17 .30 .42 .52 .68 be good?
What brand do you recommend? I wanted to try Circle K strings, but on their website it said that through body stringing will not work because of the tapered section on their strings being too short for that.

Thanks

The 10-52+68 will work, but if you're having tuning issues that severe it's probably not the strings causing it. I'd make sure the nut is slotted properly and that the hardware doesn't have any weird burrs or loose parts.

Circle K strings are great! Their gauges and tension are a little different, so I'd try 10, 13, 17, 28, 37, 49 and at least a 67 for the G#. Don't worry about them not fitting through the body; that only becomes an issue with bass strings of enormous sizes, like 160+

I play E standard and Drop D on a 25.5 with 10-46 gauges. What do I pick for C standard and Drop C on the same.guitar with same or a little more tension.

Thinking maybe 11-54 Beefy Slinky by EB?

The D'addario 12-60 set has comparable tension in C standard as a 10-46 set in standard. For drop C and D standard I'd look at their 11-56 set

 

[Zalbu]

I've been thinking about experimenting a bit with what kind of strings I use for a while now since I always buy my strings online and I can order them as singles. I've been using 10-52 strings forever now but the difference in feel when you go from the D string to the G string is a little too big for me and it makes jazz chords and stuff feel clunkier to play compared to 10-46s. Regular 10-46 strings are too loose for me so what would a good "hybrid set" between the 10-13-17-26-36-46 and the 10-13-17-30-42-52 be?

I'm thinking about just moving one step down and using 10-13-17-28-40-50, but would the difference in feel even be noticable at that point? I might go with a 48 for the E string but I don't want to sacrifice too much tension either. I've tried 11s but i don't really vibe with the thicker high strings.

 

[Winspear]

len 25.5
e2 .046 danw == 17.48#
a2 .036 danw == 19.54#
d3 .026 danw == 18.41#
g3 .017 dapl == 16.57#
b3 .013 dapl == 15.38#
e4 .010 dapl == 16.21#

len 25.5
e2 .052 danw == 22.01#
a2 .042 danw == 26.31#
d3 .030 danw == 25.04#
g3 .017 dapl == 16.57#
b3 .013 dapl == 15.38#
e4 .010 dapl == 16.21#

len 25.5
e2 .050 danw == 20.46#
a2 .040 danw == 23.95#
d3 .028 danw == 21.3#
g3 .017 dapl == 16.57#
b3 .013 dapl == 15.38#
e4 .010 dapl == 16.21#

A pretty good hybrid but if you're buying singles you might as well balance it a bit more.

len 25.5
e2 .050 danw == 20.46#
a2 .036 danw == 19.54#
d3 .027 danw == 19.85#
g3 .017 dapl == 16.57#
b3 .013 dapl == 15.38#
e4 .010 dapl == 16.21#

Would be really nice. The only problem with 10-46 imo is the 46 E being looser than the A and D and bordering on too loose. 10-52 fixes that but makes the A and D unnecessarily tight. 50-36-27 or 26 is ideal with 17 13 10. The 50 40 28 would do though for sure!

 

[Zalbu]

Hm, turns out that the store doesn't sell singles that are smaller than 17 and doesn't sell a 27 either. They sell 24, 25, 26, and 28... But then I might as well buy a 10-46 pack and just replace the 46 with a 50. I'll give it a shot, thanks!

And now that you mentioned it, I'm doing some bends on my guitar in E standard and the A string feels ridiculously tight...

 

[Winspear]

Great idea haha not sure why I never thought of that!

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

Hm, turns out that the store doesn't sell singles that are smaller than 17 and doesn't sell a 27 either. They sell 24, 25, 26, and 28... But then I might as well buy a 10-46 pack and just replace the 46 with a 50.

I do pretty much that on my 7 that I keep in drop A. I start with a 10-46 set, then swap the 46 for a 48/49 and add a 68/70 for the low A.

 

[lurgar]

I'd like to mix things up a bit and try Open C tuning (with a low G) on my 25.5" 7 string.

Here are the gauges I came up with going by the Circle K diagram. Am I doing this right?

e - .009 - 13.2lbs
C - .012 - 14.8lbs
G - .016 - 14.7lbs
C - .024 - 14.4lbs
G - .033 - 14.4lbs
C - .051 - 14.8lbs
G - .067 - 14.1lbs