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

[Devyn Eclipse Nav]

Here's the big thing with the whole wound/unwound third thing.

And wound third at plain tension's gonna be a BITCH to bend up a full step, and not because it's tight - rather, it's got a very thin core, which means it'll take more movement for the string to go up in pitch. If you were to compare a plain .018, and a wound .018, the plain one would bend FAR easier.

The wound third at wound tension, however, won't have that problem. Sure, it's higher tension, but the thicker core sorta balances out the "bendiness" of it, as it were.

I'd say, go for the wound string that matches the tension of the rest of your wound strings

 

[CircuitalPlacidity]

Hey guys. I'm headed to the store today to buy some new strings for my guitar. I have a 25.5-27" multiscale 7 string and was looking for a set of strings that would feel nice for rhythm and lead playing. I want enough tension to really dig in on riffs on the low strings but a nice tension for bending and fast runs on the top strings. I want to tune a half step down. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I can't find a set of strings that feels "right" yet.

 

[Devyn Eclipse Nav]

Here's what I came up with, given that you and I seem to like the same basic string feel

Len 25.5
E4b .010" dapl == 14.45#
Len 25.75
B3b .0135" dapl == 13.97#
Len 26
G3b .017" dapl == 15.35#
Len 26.25
D3b .028" danw == 20.11#
Len 26.5
A2b .038" danw == 20.76#
Len 26.75
E2b .049" danw == 19.29#
Len 27
B1b .062" danw == 18.13#

Given that set, the plain strings are nice and bendy like you like, and the wounds can all take a beating - I've got about 21 pounds of tension on the 3 highest wound strings on my 8 string, so it's really not that bad having that much tension. Give it a shot!

EDIT: Just to be clear, high to low, the string set is 10, 13.5, 17, 28, 38, 49, 62

 

[CircuitalPlacidity]

First, thank you for your reply. I am a bit confused on something. Is this recommendation for standard tuning? It seems to be according to your data there. I'm looking for half step down. Any further help would be much appreciated! Thanks again.

EDIT: It is in fact half step down. Thanks so much for your response. I will give it a shot and let you know how it goes.

 

[Preacher]

on a 28.625" scale, whats the optimum guages for ADGCFAD standard on a 7 string? looking to get a sort of tension feel similar to a 25.5" tuned to E standard

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

on a 28.625" scale, whats the optimum guages for ADGCFAD standard on a 7 string? looking to get a sort of tension feel similar to a 25.5" tuned to E standard

A 28.625" scale is exactly two frets longer than a standard 25.5" scale, so if you're tuning a whole step lower, you can use the same gauges for standard at 25.5" as D standard at 28.625"

I'd try out 10, 13, 17, 26, 36, 46, 62. D'addario makes a 13-62 set, then just add the 10 for the high E and you'll be set! From there you can adjust the gauges as you see fit.

 

[lorguitarist]

I've found this calculator is easier to use than the D'addario one: Hikky Z's String Assembler

For standard, I'd try 9.5, 13, 16, 26, 36, 46 or 48, 62

For G# standard, I'd try 11.5, 15, 24w, 32, 42, 56, 70 or 72

Both sets should offer about the same amount of tension overall, so the only adjustment you'd have to make when switching sets would be for intonation. The idea of balanced string tension is a good one, but it really only applies to wound strings or plain strings, but not both in the same set because plain strings have a higher perceived tension. I usually like to have around 15lbs of tension on my plain strings (give or take half a pound) then about 18-19lbs on my wound strings because they feel about the same across the board. However, I also like having my 6th and 7th strings have between 17 and 18lbs of tension because the slightly lighter tension makes playing a little easier and using a thinner string for the bottom offers a little more definition and attack. For example, on a regular set of 10's I like the feel of the 26, 36, and 46 gauge strings in standard because the A and D strings have about 19lbs and the low E has ~17.5. Your mileage may vary, but that's how I go about building my custom sets

I use guitarstringsonline.com for building sets out of singles. Most of their strings come individually sealed, and I've yet to find a site with better prices on D'addario strings for this application. They also have regular sets for good prices too

Fyi - take a look at juststrings.com. I also use D'addario and they're slightly cheaper

 

[Preacher]

A 28.625" scale is exactly two frets longer than a standard 25.5" scale, so if you're tuning a whole step lower, you can use the same gauges for standard at 25.5" as D standard at 28.625"

I'd try out 10, 13, 17, 26, 36, 46, 62. D'addario makes a 13-62 set, then just add the 10 for the high E and you'll be set! From there you can adjust the gauges as you see fit.

Thanks

 

[Clint Eastwood Gun]

I bought Dean Markley 10 - 60 strings (this same like size from Ibanez.com) for Korn tunning (A, D, G, C, F, A, D) to my K7 (25,5 scale). But only B string (60) is like italian pasta. Intonation is very poor. I made all adjustments and I`m still upset.

Can you recommend me some another set of strings?

Thanks for help.

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

If the rest of the strings are comfortable to you, I'd just swap out the 60 for something between a 64 and 68

 

[Devyn Eclipse Nav]

Anybody have any idea of how long a Circle K .008 lasts? I'm looking to get one of those Ibanez RG 9 strings in the near future, but I'd need to use a .008 for the high string to been even remotely comfortable - any idea how sturdy they are people?

 

[metaljon]

I bought Dean Markley 10 - 60 strings (this same like size from Ibanez.com) for Korn tunning (A, D, G, C, F, A, D) to my K7 (25,5 scale). But only B string (60) is like italian pasta. Intonation is very poor. I made all adjustments and I`m still upset.

Can you recommend me some another set of strings?

Thanks for help.

I'd recommend the following:

D = 11
A = 15
F = 21 (wound)
C = 28
G = 39
D = 52 (or 54)
A = 72

A D'Addario 7-string Jazz Lite (.011 - .065) is close to this, but I think .065" is way too loose in this case.

 

[Tegara]

Ibanez M80M owners, what sets of strings do you use? The factory set gauges look like sh*t. I mean, a .069 for F? Shouldn't it be at least 70? I have an unpacked 11-80 set but it would probably be too tight for the 29.4" scale. Is 19.6 lb too much on the low string?

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

^it all comes down to taste; there's no "too much" unless it's so extreme that it hurts the guitar.

Try out the 11-80 set since you already have it. The higher strings may be tighter than you'd like at that scale length/tuning, but at least you'll have an idea of what you like, you know?

 

[sosrick]

I have a DBZ seven string My tuning is G D G C F A D. I currently have 11 14 18 28 38 48 58 on the guitar but the 6th and 7th strings buzz and the 7th seems to be too floppy. I use 11 14 18 28 38 50 on my six strings tuned D G C F A D and they work fine. Does anyone know of a 7 set that would work for my tuning?

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

If your 6 and 7 string guitars have the same scale length, then you can use the same strings you're comfortable with then add a single 7th string.

For the 7, I'd go with 11, 14, 18, 28, 38, 50, then at least a 70

 

[pantsaregood]

So, this question probably comes up a lot - it's just hard to sort through this thread.

I'm currently running the following set:

9 - 12 - 16 - 26 - 36 - 48 - 64

I'm tuned to BEADGBE on a 25.5' guitar. The four wound strings all have roughly 19 lbs of tension on them. The 9 and 12 are at 13 lbs, and the G is at 15 lbs.

The high E is hard to bend up a whole step. I'm thinking of changing to:

8 - 12 - 16 - 26 - 36 - 48 - 64

I may use an 11 instead of a 12. My question is: does the fact that I have a lot more tension on the bass side of the neck present a risk for warping or anything? I know some people prefer balanced tension sets, but wouldn't that make bending extremely difficult on the plain strings?

 

[RobbYoung]

My question is: does the fact that I have a lot more tension on the bass side of the neck present a risk for warping or anything?

Short answer - No.

I use a set of .008 to .092 on my 8 string, 26.5" scale. The tensions shift from 25lbs to 15lbs, and that feels just the way I like it. It's a gradient of tension, and I've never had an issue with warping. You might find on a guitar without a truss rod, or on a suuuuuper skinny wizard neck you'll begin to get an issue a few years down the line. But guitar necks are made to not bend sideways, therefore you'll be a-ok.

 

[gLOW-x]

Hi !
I'm here for my first uncommon (to me) tuning

I use a Jackson JS32Q-7Q (26.5" scale)
I wanted to tune in ADADADA. But last A4 was too high. So i changed my mind for something like F or F# (minor/major third).

Something like SYL GCGCGCE (Open C major) spirit, but not so extreme.

EXL110-7 website reference :
0.0100 in. 22.07 lbs F#
0.0130 in. 23.49 lbs D
0.0170 in. 22.55 lbs A
0.0260 in. 19.85 lbs D
0.0360 in. 20.56 lbs A
0.0460 in. 14.49 lbs D
0.0590 in. 13.60 lbs A
Total : 136.61 lbs (62kg)

Seems a little too much total tension. And i feel i need to add a 0.060 for A tuning.
Can you give me some advice ?
Thanks in advance

 

[Devyn Eclipse Nav]

I'd try a 9-10.5-14-26-36-54-66 set - 15 pounds on your plain strings, 20 pounds on strings 3-6, and 16 on your 7th string