Lap Steel String Gauges/Scale Lengths

[slidefever]

Hello everyone,
I’ve recently acquired a Mahalo lap steel which has 22.834 “ scale length.

Newtone lap steel gauges are based on a 25” scale length.

By how much should l increase the string gauges to compensate for the reduced tension?

Regards
Chris

‘I love slide me’

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

It should be fine with 15/56 strings.

Shine On
Michael

[pete1951]

I have Newtone C6 lap steel strings on my 22.5” lap and am happy with the tension. It depends on your lap style if you find them too ‘soft’ . If you have a choice of gauges go for a set that is about .001” larger on the top string, so an 016 top rather than an 015.

Your scale is roughly 2frets shorter than 25”. Many people who use Open G will retune to Open D without changing strings , even though there is 2 frets difference between the 5th string (up a tone ) and the 2nd (down a tone) in D


Pete

As most lap steels are short scale , I would check that Newtones are designed for 25” for reso strings and short scale for lap?


Michael posted while I was writing, go with the 015s , but remember to get a set to suit your tuning.

[Michael Messer]

Pete and I wrote at the same time.

I would use the 15/56s for GBDGBD and AC#EAC#E. If I was going to play mostly in DADF#AD I might try 16/59s. I do the same on 25" scale length guitars.

Shine On
Michael

[sceyral]

I know that strings are not perfect but a fast calculation (law of vibrating strings) shows : if you keep the same set of strings, you should feel a 20% difference in tension (with the same tuning and the same strings) between a 25" scale and 22.834" scale. As tension is proportional to lineic mass, I suggest (just like MM) :
25" : tension F
22.834" : tension F' with F' = [22.834/25)² F = 0.83 F (roughly 20% less)
so : 25"scale with a (013-054) set ---> 22.834" scale with a (016-058) set (same tuning)

[slidefever]

Thanks Michael and Pete,
I did check with Neil about the scale length.
15.to 56. are my strings of choice. I’m currently tuned to low bass open G with a 22. on the 3rd string, but may try GBDGBD.

Regards
Chris

[slidefever]

Nov 8, 2021 13:28:44 GMT sceyral said:

I know that strings are not perfect but a fast calculation (law of vibrating strings) shows : if you keep the same set of strings, you should feel a 20% difference in tension (with the same tuning and the same strings) between a 25" scale and 22.834" scale. As tension is proportional to lineic mass, I suggest (just like MM) :
25" : tension F
22.834" : tension F' with F' = [22.834/25)² F = 0.83 F (roughly 20% less)
so : 25"scale with a (013-054) set ---> 22.834" scale with a (016-058) set (same tuning)

Thank you,
That is really useful.
Regards
Chris

[pascal]

string_gauge_chart.pdf (109.07 KB)
If this may help...

[slidefever]

Thanks Pascal.
Regards
Chris

[chromatic]

Might be worth trying both plain and wound third strings

Cheers