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

[Konfyouzd]

Awesome post, Max

 

[Seven Samurai]

Hey, this is my 1st post on the forum. Just found a 7 string baritone acoustic in the house and the 7th string is way too floppy.

Scale = 28.5"

Tuning

1st C .016
2nd G .022
3rd Eb .029
4th Bb .048
5th F .060
6th C .070
7th G ??? (think it may be another .070)

I was thinking of trying a .080 on the 7th string, but would love to hear some more educated suggestions.

Also, where do you get a .080 (or similar) bronze string? I haven't been able to find singles for sale. I found one in a set of acoustic bass strings, but would prefer not to have to by a complete set of bass strings just to get one .080.

Thanks!!

One more question....

Wonder if the 7th string slot in the nut will have to be widened going from a .070 to .080?

thx!!

 

[Wierdoom]

In order to get even tension you would have to go higher than .080 for G, which would be pretty difficult to find unless you use acoustic bass strings. As for purchasing single strings, many people on here recommend Just Strings.
Good luck!

 

[jay4321]

Hey what's up homies. I'm in need of a pretty simple & subjective recommendation for some guitar strings.

I want to tune down to C/dropped to Bb. I have a simple strat (25.5" scale) with an EMG-81 going in the bridge. No frills but has been a workhorse in a few configurations. (It's a MIM body that seems to sound good with everything + a Warmoth Pro neck). Trem locked down tight/never used.

I don't have any idea what kind of tensions would be ideal, so I'm looking for a happy medium, not too tight or sloppy. Preferably a gauge that isn't too thick for my Schaller locking tuners. Yes for metal.

Thanks

 

[jay4321]

I did read a few pages, but gave up after the first three or so.

PS - I typically use D-Addario 10s a half-step low. Have used EB also. Can't stand Elixer or anything like that.

 

[thrashcomics]

so i cant figure out how to use that applet. if someone could help me out with this. i currently have my 25.5 in scale parker tuned to Eb with 9,11,16,24,32,42 daddario. id like to know what strings i should use to achieve the same tension while tuned to c standard.

 

[jay4321]

Hey what's up homies. I'm in need of a pretty simple & subjective recommendation for some guitar strings.

I want to tune down to C/dropped to Bb. I have a simple strat (25.5" scale) with an EMG-81 going in the bridge. No frills but has been a workhorse in a few configurations. (It's a MIM body that seems to sound good with everything + a Warmoth Pro neck). Trem locked down tight/never used.

I don't have any idea what kind of tensions would be ideal, so I'm looking for a happy medium, not too tight or sloppy. Preferably a gauge that isn't too thick for my Schaller locking tuners. Yes for metal.

Thanks

Bump - anybody?

 

[TridentChaos]

Ive seen this mentioned elsewhere with no replies,

just wondered what gauge would suit for 26/5 scale( i ordered schecter ATX C-8) would 74. be tight enough or would u need to go for an 80?
or is that just tooooooo tense?

 

[metal tom 94]

i just recently ordered a schecter C7 hellraiser and i was looking at what strings i should get to put on it. right now on my 6 i play ernie ball 54s what strings ( gauge and brand) would be the best for me to get?

 

[BeyondAntares]

My string gauges are giving me issues - especially for the Low E which doesn't chug as well as my other strings

Current Gauges RG8527z.
.009 .011 .016 .026 .036 .049 .060

My issue is that the .049 flops around too much in standard E. Could I get away with a 0.052 in there? But then the tension would be unbalanced. Yet I like the 9 gauge for the e,b,g strings which gives just the right tension for 2 step bends.

 

[theshredator]

So, I play an LTD H-207 25.5 or 26.5 I think. What's the thinnest strings I can put on there without having tuning issues or intonation problems?

 

[spudler_t]

Hi All I am new here first day online here, First post and hapily first day as a owner of a Ibanez RG7321 BK. Talking about string guages, tension, feeling, Tone, etc. etc. I read a thread on a different site about String Tensions and Guages and on my 6 String Ibanez Guitars I started using
9,12,16,24,32,44 on my standard tuned RG and I use 11,15,19,28,38,58 on my Rg that I have tuned to CGCFAD. I was able to go through a company called Strings By Mail and they ordered custom guage sets for me from Dean Markley's Blue Steel line. SO far I have seen a huge difference in feel and playability once I started using guages that allowed the tension to gradually rise as the guage increases. I noticed how most all standard sets some where in the string set the tension took a 180 and did not keep the gradual increase in tension/Guage idea which in turn caused sloppy feeling string syndrome and in turn affected tone.
I was thinking of using either 9,12,16,24,32,44,59 or possibly 10,14,18,26,36,50,68.
I was curious if anyone else has used the 2 guage sets I just mentioned and what you thought of them?
I am not sure if I can get the custon guage sets mentioned above or not as I have not contacted Strings By Mail yet but I will next week and post an update on what I find out in case somone else may want to try a custom guage set to feel for yourselves the difference.

 

[pwilldabeast14]

hey guys i was wondering what an ideal tension on the strings is, cause i have an 8 string and planning on drop tuning it soon

 

[syndrone]

i got it with 10-56 on it, and it was awesome sounding and had a nice tone and stability with almost no buzz.
now i put 9-42 + a 56 as 7th on it, but i cannot get it to work good. i lost my tone, my sustain, it feels so sloppy and like a cheap chinese guitar now : (

but i really wanna keep the nice light top end.
so you guys suggest me 9-46 + a 56 or are there custom 6 or even 7 string sets that i can find somewhere?

 

[MTech]

LaBella has the standard 9-53 sets and also these

HRS-71 / .009-.011-.016-.026w-.036-.046-.064
HRS-72 / .010-.013-.017-.026w-.036-.046-.064
HRS-73 / .010-.013-.017-.030w-.042-.052-.064
HRS-74 / .010-.013-.017-.026w-.036-.046-.070
HRS-75 / .011-.014-.018-.036w-.046-.052-.070
I know Chris Storey uses the 8-38 LaBella HRS set with an added 56 for his low string.
​

 

[Blackheim]

Hi GAS maniacos!

I have a couple of questions regarding two of my babies, the firs one is:

1. Which gauge may I use on a LTD M-100 in D Standard? I am using .012 now, however, I want your opinions guys...

The second one is:

2. Which gauge may I use on a Hellraiser c8 in Drop E? I mean E-B-E-A-D-G-B-E, and which gauge should I use for the 8th string in standard tuning (F#)...

 

[bostjan]

Hi GAS maniacos!

I have a couple of questions regarding two of my babies, the firs one is:

1. Which gauge may I use on a LTD M-100 in D Standard? I am using .012 now, however, I want your opinions guys...

The second one is:

2. Which gauge may I use on a Hellraiser c8 in Drop E? I mean E-B-E-A-D-G-B-E, and which gauge should I use for the 8th string in standard tuning (F#)...

So you are using .012"s for E-standard, and you want to tune to D-standard?

Tensions for a .012" pack in E-standard are as follows:
E4: .012"p, 23.3 N, 0% G1
B3: .016"p, 23.3 N, 0% G1
G3: .024"p, 33.0 N, 0% G1
D3: .032"w, 27.6 N, 0% G1
A2: .044"w, 29.0 N, 1% G1E4
E2: .056"w, 26.2 N, 2% G1

In D-Standard
D4: .0135"p, 23.4 N, 0% G1
A3: .018"p, 23.4 N, 0% G1
F3: .026"w, 26.0 N, 0% G1
C3: .034"w, 24.7 N, 0% G1
G2: .046"w, 25.1 N, 1% G1
D2: .060"w, 23.8 N, 3% G1

For the Hellraiser:
E4: .012"p, 25.2 N, 0% G1
B3: .016"p, 25.1 N, 0% G1
G3: .020"p, 24.7 N, 0% G1
D3: .030"w, 26.2 N, 0% G1
A2: .040"w, 25.9 N, 0% G1
E2: .052"w, 24.4 N, 1% G1
B1: .070"w, 24.7 N, 4% G1

if you can get guitar strings in these gauges:
F#1: .094"w, 24.8 N, 14% G1
E1: .105"w, 24.6 N, 22% G1

if not, bass strings will make a duller tone, but have very similar spec's:
F#1: .095"B, 25.6 N, 14% G1
E1: .105"B, 24.6 N, 22% G1

EDIT:
If you can live with less tension on the low E, you can use the same string as you would for F#, and it will sound clearer:
E1: .094"w, 19.7 N, 18% G1

 

[Blackheim]

I am sorry if I was not clear enough... I want to know, if 12 gauge strings are good for D Standard on a LTD M100 guitar.... Also, in the Schecter, which I have it in Standard, a set of 9 to 42 with a 56 on the 7th and a 68 in the 8th...

I want to know, if the 12s are a good choice for D standard, and which gauge is recommendable for the Hellraiser....

I think that the first six strings are doing jjust fine (9-42) the 7th string is good as well, HOWEVER, I want to tune the 8th string in F#, and sometimes in E...

I hope I was clear enough this time!! Thank you Bostjan!!

 

[bostjan]

I am sorry if I was not clear enough... I want to know, if 12 gauge strings are good for D Standard on a LTD M100 guitar.... Also, in the Schecter, which I have it in Standard, a set of 9 to 42 with a 56 on the 7th and a 68 in the 8th...

I want to know, if the 12s are a good choice for D standard, and which gauge is recommendable for the Hellraiser....

I think that the first six strings are doing jjust fine (9-42) the 7th string is good as well, HOWEVER, I want to tune the 8th string in F#, and sometimes in E...

I hope I was clear enough this time!! Thank you Bostjan!!

Well, foremost, if the strings feel right, then they are right. Next, if they sound right, they are still right.

Many players prefer to get a specific sound and a specific feel. There are no wrong choices, unless the strings break, but unless you are tuning a plain string up to high G#4, or a wound string to A3 or something, you should be fine.

I can, however, analyze the strings you mentioned.

A 25.5" guitar in D-standard with 12's:
D4: .012"p, 18.5 N, 0% G1
A3: .016"p, 18.5 N, 0% G1
F3: .024"p, 26.2 N, 0% G1
(an individual .020"p would be more consistent, at 18.2 N)
C3: .032"w, 21.9 N, 0% G1
G2: .044"w, 23.0 N, 1% G1
(again, a .042"w would be more consistent at 21.0 N and still 1%)
D2: .056"w, 20.8 N, 2% G1

Sounds like a good set with about 18-19 N on the plains and ~21 N on the wounds. Personally, I think the wounds feel better with a little more tension than what I like on plains.

The Schecter:

E4: .009"p, 14.2 N, 0% G1
B3: .011"p, 11.9 N, 0% G1
(a .012" is more consistent at 14.1 N)
G3: .016"p, 15.8 N, 0% G1
(a .015" is more consistent at 14.0 N)
D3: .024"w, 16.9 N, 0% G1
A2: .032"w, 16.7 N, 0% G1
E2: .042"w, 16.0 N, 1% G1
B1: .056"w, 15.9 N, 3% G1
F#1: .068"w, 13.1 N, 7% G1
(a .076"w gets more consistent tension at 16.3 N, but sounds gongier at 9% G1)
E1: .068"w, 10.4 N, 9% G1
This, IMO, is too floppy compared to other strings. The .076"w above has 12.9 N of tension in this tuning with an inharmonicity of 11% on the first order. A .086" brings the tension up to 16.5 N, at the cost of dealing with 15% G1.
A .085" Bass string yields about 16.5 N at 14% G1.

If I had to make a recommendation, I would say go with the .076" guitar string if you can find one. It'll give you less tension than the other strings, but it's just something to deal with to avoid that "clunky" high-G1 sound.

Also, are you aware of the difference in tension between these two guitars? It seems like you are stringing your six up with a notable increase in tension over your eight.

 

[Blackheim]

Okay the exact gauges for the LTD are:

D' Addario XL Heavy Gauge

D: .012
A: .016
F: .020
C: .032
G: .042
D. .054

For the Hellraiser I am using: Ernie Ball Custom Gauge

E: .009 ok
B: .011 ok
G: .016 ok
D: .024 ok
A: .032 ok
E: .042 ok
B: .056 Almost there...
F#: .068 Too loose.... I will go for a .076 or 0.74... They are pretty easy to find at musiciansfriend....

That is what I´m using right now on my babies...
Thanks for your help dude, every time the ladies need a new set o0f strings, I take them to the techie shop.... They always set them well, however, I want to do it by myself...
And sorry for my english, it is a little bit rusty...