String Tension Charts

[Dee]

Possibly. Depends what kind of feel you want, I guess! Only you can decide that. Me, I wouldn't use a .011" with those strings. Look at the difference in tension between the E, B, and G. The B is just too slack. A .012" would be OK, and yes, personally I would prefer a heavier bottom E, too.

A .048" would give you 18.93 pounds and feel more balanced overall. The D is just too heavy, though. I don't like the look of that set of strings at all. There's 4 pounds of difference between the D and G. Not good.

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by Dee

Possibly. Depends what kind of feel you want, I guess! Only you can decide that. Me, I wouldn't use a .011" with those strings. Look at the difference in tension between the E, B, and G. The B is just too slack. A .012" would be OK, and yes, personally I would prefer a heavier bottom E, too.

A .048" would give you 18.93 pounds and feel more balanced overall. The D is just too heavy, though. I don't like the look of that set of strings at all. There's 4 pounds of difference between the D and G. Not good.

To ne honest. For standard tuning the Hybred Sinkies feel perfect for me. I wouldn't really change that unless it was really easy to do so.

[Dee]

If you're happy with those, that's cool.

[kspeed]

Thanks for the super-informative posts, Dee! You have me thinking, would .009-.042's from different manufacturers vary much in overall tension?

Specifically, I'm wondering if the 9-42 Ernie Ball Super Slinky's would vary any from the D'Addario EXL-120 set? Any chance I could prod you into measuring this?

This is the specific set I'm curious about (I have used them before, but it was many years ago):

https://store.ernieball.com/product/...08.16037.0.0.0

[Dee]

On wound strings only will the tension vary between manufacturers. Plain strings should usually be the same. I have always found Ernie's to be a little stiffer than D'Addario, but I haven't found any exact tension specs made available by EB. I wouldn't imagine there's a huge amount of tension difference in any 9-42 nickel wound set, but the winding size, and probably the shape of the core wires (hex or round) do vary enough to make a difference in overall feel.

If I find any tension specs for Ernie Ball I'll post them!

[screamndemon69]

I use Slinky Light Top Heavy Bottoms for Drop C tuning but also tune the guitar (SZ4020 - 25" scale - fixed bridge) back to standard E.

Any recommendations for something that would work best for both tunings in one set?

[Dee]

Bones, I forgot to check this thread, hence the late reply.

With drop C are you only detuning the E to C?

[screamndemon69]

It's cool - no hurry. I would have PM'd you if I was in a hurry


I actually drop tune the low E, A and D strings (the only ones used in the song) to drop C. I leave the other strings in standard so I can easily tune back up if I need to use that guitar for other material with double bends and other stuff that doesn't work so well with a full floating guitars. I use the guitar for Drop D tunings as well.

E>C
A>G
D>C
G
B
E

Due to the odd nature of how I tune that guitar (SZ4020) is why I went with the EB Heavy Bottom and Skinny Tops. If you can think of a better alternative, I'm all ears.

I usually take two RG's with floating trems and my SZ4020 to gigs to have my basses covered. Very shortly I will have a new RGT42fxqm in hands (this week) and I'll swap between it and my SZ4020 until I figure out how to add a piezo setup in the RGT, then it will come with to all gigs. I'll hae to look into a piezo bridge for the SZ

[southpaw_lefty]

Great thread Dee.

I've using D'addario 10-52 (XL140) as well on my RGA, but I'm using this version of drop-C:

C - 2 steps down (6th string)
G - 1 step down
C - 1 step down
F - 1 step down
A - 1 step down
D - 1 step down

The 6th string doesn't have anywhere near enough tension in this tuning, so I'll probably switch to something heavier.

[markyperfection]

awesome thread, and something that i've been experimenting with for years. except for one or two guitars, i haven't used a standard pack of strings in a LONG time. the set i'm currently using (in standard tuning down a major third, C F Bb Eb G C as well as standard tuning down a whole step, D G C F A D) goes a little something like this: .010 - .014 - .020 - .030 - .042 - .056

for standard tuning AKA guitars i play at home, i use d'addario 9's as it's just wiffle ball and i don't really need to get so particular about things like that for sitting on my bed playing racer x songs through a fender frontman 25r. also, it tends to be my JS and i hear Joe hisself uses those same strings. haha

[Dee]

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

It's cool - no hurry. I would have PM'd you if I was in a hurry


I actually drop tune the low E, A and D strings (the only ones used in the song) to drop C. I leave the other strings in standard so I can easily tune back up if I need to use that guitar for other material with double bends and other stuff that doesn't work so well with a full floating guitars. I use the guitar for Drop D tunings as well.

E>C
A>G
D>C
G
B
E

Due to the odd nature of how I tune that guitar (SZ4020) is why I went with the EB Heavy Bottom and Skinny Tops. If you can think of a better alternative, I'm all ears.

I usually take two RG's with floating trems and my SZ4020 to gigs to have my basses covered. Very shortly I will have a new RGT42fxqm in hands (this week) and I'll swap between it and my SZ4020 until I figure out how to add a piezo setup in the RGT, then it will come with to all gigs. I'll hae to look into a piezo bridge for the SZ

OK, this is a tricky one because it's not staying in one tuning. Obviously, we need to find a happy medium between standard tuning tension and drop C.

*Bear in mind, these measurements are based on D'Addario nickel wound string tension, but I doubt Ernie Ball strings differ greatly.

Gauge: Ernie Ball "Skinny Top Heavy Bottom" set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .010" [PL] = 16.21 pounds
B: .013" [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017" [PL] = 16.57 pounds
D: .030" [NW] = 25.04 pounds
A: .042" [NW] = 26.31 pounds
E: .052" [NW] = 22.01 pounds

Total Tension = 121.53 pounds

When tuned to standard there's a huge amount of difference in tension between the plain and wound strings. Almost 9 pounds difference between the D and G alone! This was pretty much expected, though. As usual, the high E is tighter than the B. How about switching that string for a D'Addario .009.5"? Should make bends easier and balance with the other strings a little better.


Gauge: Ernie Ball "Skinny Top Heavy Bottom" set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: CGCGBE (Bones' Drop C)

E: .010" [PL] = 16.21 pounds
B: .013" [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017" [PL] = 16.57 pounds
C: .030" [NW] = 19.87 pounds
G: .042" [NW] = 20.89 pounds
C: .052" [NW] = 13.87 pounds

Total Tension = 102.79 pounds

And this is your Ernie Ball set drop tuned. The main problem is the extremely low tension of the .052", especially compared to the next string up, there's a difference of 7 pounds. It's safe to suggest it would benefit from being beefed up a bit. I would probably go as far as a .059" here, which may sound kinda extreme, but really it isn't. I use a .059" on my 7-string which is tuned to B, and it's certainly not too tight. If anything, I would like to try a .60".

Suggestions for a custom set...

Gauge: D'Addario Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .0095" [PL] = 14.63 pounds
B: .013"  [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017"  [PL] = 16.57 pounds
D: .028"  [NW] = 21.30 pounds
A: .039"  [NW] = 22.77 pounds
E: .059"  [NW] = 29.37 pounds

Total Tension = 120.03 pounds

While there's a big difference between the two thickest strings, I think this will feel better than your usual set. You could try a .058" so there's less of a jump, but it won't work quite as well when drop tuned (see below). On the other hand, .058" or .059" will be far better in terms of tone and feel than the .052" from the original set.


Gauge: D'Addario Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Bones' Drop C

E: .0095" [PL] = 14.63 pounds
B: .013"  [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017"  [PL] = 16.57 pounds
C: .028"  [NW] = 16.91 pounds
G: .039"  [NW] = 18.07 pounds
C: .059"  [NW] = 18.50 pounds

Total Tension = 100.07 pounds

I quite like how this one looks on paper. .039" can be bought from D'Addario, btw. I like the fact they offer "odd" sizes. Lowest I'd go on the thickest string is a 0.58". While a custom set like this can never be perfect because of the changes in tuning, I would imagine it feels better than the set you're currently using. I'd be interested to know how it goes if you try it.

[Scali]

Originally Posted by Dee

I haven't tried those. Here's the stats for them:

Gauge: D'Addario EXL120+ Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .0095" [PL] = 14.63 pounds
B: .0115" [PL] = 12.04 pounds
G: .016"  [PL] = 14.68 pounds
D: .024"  [NW] = 15.77 pounds
A: .034"  [NW] = 17.60 pounds
E: .044"  [NW] = 16.10 pounds

Total Tension = 90.82 pounds

Looks like the high E is too heavy (bends will be harder). It's almost the same as the G.

The low E is too light.

With this set, I'd choose a .009" and a .046", and ditch the two E's that came with it.

I use that set on my Les Paul (24.75" scale).
It makes the feel pretty much identical to my 25.5" guitars with standard .009-.042, making the Les Paul shred like a maniac while still beating the **** out of all the other guitars tonewise and sustainwise.
Then again I'm going back to .010-.046 on my Les Paul. I don't mind working a bit extra on the Les Paul, and getting even MORE tone in return

[Dee]

Yeah, the difference in scale length has a pretty noticeable effect. I also prefer slightly heavier strings on a 24.75" scale length. The .009.5" is perfect for the high E, I think. A .010" is just a touch too heavy for me. With a 10-46 set I'd want to replace the high and low E's with a .009.5" and a .049".

[screamndemon69]

I will surely try out the custom set you are suggesting and let you know how it works out. I play that guitar in my Drop C more than standard but truthfully, the guitar has to be ready to perform double duty as a backup in standard tuning and if we pull out any Drop D tunes.

BIG thanks Dee, you are Da MAN!!!!

[Lefty Robb]

Wow, totally cool and super informative thread, someone make this a sticky!! My only question is isn't the YJM set made more for Eb?