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Post by SoloBill on Mar 30, 2008 14:50:47 GMT
Hi all,
I've tried searching on here but I'm not sure I'm doing it right, so sorry if this has been asked before.
On a guitar designed for normal tuning, is there guidance on what gauge strings can be fitted for open G or open D tuning? Such as, if you lower the top string by one tone and it was a 10 gauge, you can fit 13 gauge without damaging the guitar neck? Or does it depend on the actual string manufacture?
TIA,
Bill
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 31, 2008 12:43:02 GMT
Hi Bill,
There are no actual rules to this and for many years I just used regular light or medium string gauges for open tunings. However, it does really help to adjust the set to suit slack tunings. If you are normally using a 10 on the top, I would take it up to a 12 for slack tunings. The bass string is less of a problem, but taking it up just one notch should help. The Newtone strings for National guitars and open tunings that have my name on are designed with slightly heavier cores on the bass wound strings. So the gauge stays the same, but the core is thicker. My strings are gauged 15 17 26 36 46 56 and 16 18 27 39 49 59. The light gauge set 15 to 56 would be fine on any guitar in DGDGBD or DADF#AD
I hope this helps,
Shine On
Michael
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Post by maxxengland on Apr 1, 2008 10:58:47 GMT
From experience, my acoustic can stand 12s in open E but I've had to address the bolt on neck's angle and replace the bridge due to the soundboard distorting. Resos I gather are Manly Objects and can stand greater tension, so the gauges can be thicker. But as above, dropping to D or G or whatever homebrew you find (anyone ever try E/D Major 7? Just drop the top string a semi tone) will either allow heavier gauges or even require them in order to give you tone and volume response.
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Post by robn on Apr 1, 2008 13:35:56 GMT
Hi Bill,
Having looked over various string tension charts over the past few years (that rates somewhere between watching Eastenders and watching paint dry in terms of boredom!) a rough guide is that dropping to open G or open D is like dropping a string gauge. So if you normally use light gauge in standard tuning you will get the same tension with medium gauge in dropped tunings. If your guitar is set up for medium gauge in standard then heavy gauge will give you the same tension in a dropped tuning.
These things are not exact as each string type is slightly different - and increases in string tension are not linear (eg there is a much bigger change in string tension when you take a .026 up a tone from G to A than there is when you drop the same string down a tone from G to F)
Most acoustic guitars are more than happy to take 12-54s in standard tuning, so 13-56 or even 15-56 in open G or open D should be fine!
Robin
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 1, 2008 13:53:27 GMT
I have been stringing all my guitars that are tuned to DGDGBD and DADF#AD (electrics, acoustics & resonators) with 15 to 56 for the past 17 years, and I have never had a problem yet.
Please understand - there has to be some logic and 'feel' applied to this, so I am not guaranteeing anything. I am just telling you what I have experienced. It's like driving a car and changing up through the gears; one just knows insinctively when it is time to change gear. I can just tell when a guitar has strings that are putting too much tension on. For example; most 1920s Weissenborn Hawaiian guitars are so fragile that they can't even take the gauges and tunings that I have mentioned. So I either tune them lower or use lighter strings.
What guitar are we talking about here?
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by SoloBill on Apr 2, 2008 16:06:39 GMT
Hi Michael and all, Thanks for the responses. Well, specifically a Martin 00015S as that's the only steel strung accoustic I have at the moment (waiting on a MM Lightning...). Bill What guitar are we talking about here? Shine On Michael. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 3, 2008 9:34:21 GMT
The MM Newtone National 15 to 56 should be fine, but only ever tuned down to DADF#AD & DGDGBD - never tuned to EADGBE or higher. It is so difficult to advise without actually seeing the guitar, so I would advise being cautious. I would hate anything to happen to your guitar and I get the blame for recommending the wrong strings. So although my earlier post said what it did, I actually advise caution.
Certainly when you get your MM LIGHTNING, you can string & tune it any way you like. I have been testing the prototype model in various high & low tunings with various string gauges and it is absolutely fine. Nothing has moved!
Shine On
Michael.
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