String Tension Charts

[LowYaw]

this thread is one of the most cool and necessary threads i've encountered in years. really. and that's why -

i tune to Eb std, and then drop the 6th string to drop D (C# actually).
So, the guitar is tuned to (high to low)

Eb - Bb - F# - C# - Ab - C#

when I played 009-042, it was hell. it was too sloppy and I had to tune the low E string to C, so it wouldn't go sharp when I played an open chord. I switched to 010-046 (both Strat and LP). The same problem. I went 010-052on all guitars, and it improved a lot, but still not perfect. I got an Ibanez RGT220 recently and will soon face the need to change strings (it's currently set up for 009-042 in E std). the strings I use are D'Addario's nickel wounds..

what do I do? 010-052? help!

[Dee]

Just to clarify, are you planning on tuning the whole set a semi-tone down?

[Veno]

Hey Dee! So I finally put custom gauge strings on my guitar.
I must say, after playing it even for a little while, it just feels so natural.
But, it's very difficult to get single Ernie Ball strings in Croatia.
Well, I guess I'll think about that when I'll need to change strings...
Till then, I'll play my guitar. And I'll play it with the best set of strings in town

[Dee]

Hi Veno. I can help you but shipping costs would bump the price up. I can get Ernie Ball singles here and I could send them to you, but you would need to have a PayPal account or something.

[Kemono]

I found 10's in Eb sound and feel good. I don't know what the "on paper" tension is though.

[Dee]

There is almost 2 pounds less tension on the high E string alone.

.010" @ E = 16.21 pounds
.010" @ Eb = 14.45 pounds


PS: If you have a particular set in mind, let me know. EB makes various sets based on a 10, such as Regular Slinky (10-46), Skinny Top Heavy Bottom (10-52), etc.

[LowYaw]

Originally Posted by Dee

Just to clarify, are you planning on tuning the whole set a semi-tone down?

Yes, the whole set goes a semi-tone down, and then I drop the sixth string to C#. So you kinda have a standard drop D tuning, but a semi-tone down
and i was thinking about either EB 10-52 (heavy bottoms) or similar d'addarios

thanks a lot!

[Dee]

OK. If you were to use the 10-52 set with your specified tuning, the tension should look something like this:

Gauge: 10-52
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Semi-tone down + C#

Eb: .010" [PL] = 14.45 pounds
Bb: .013" [PL] = 13.7 pounds
Gb: .017" [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .030" [NW] = 22.3 pounds
Ab: .042" [NW] = 23.44 pounds
C#: .052" [NW] = 15.56 pounds

Total Tension = 104.22 pounds

And if you want a custom set made from singles based on a .010", I would suggest something like this:

Gauge: 10-58 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Semi-tone down + C#

Eb: .010" [PL] = 14.45 pounds
Bb: .014" [PL] = 15.89 pounds
Gb: .018" [PL] = 16.55 pounds
Db: .028" [NW] = 18.98 pounds
Ab: .038" [NW] = 19.23 pounds
C#: .058" [NW] = 20.06 pounds

Total Tension = 105.15 pounds

The EB 10-52 set always seemed very unbalanced to me. The difference between the top 3 and bottom 3 strings is pretty drastic. Look at the jump in tension from .017" to .030" -- almost 7 pounds. Also, when tuning the lowest string down further (to C#) the string does not have much tension, it could sound flabby and toneless. Personally I'd be tempted to put a custom set together. With the set I suggested, it adds less than 1 pound of tension over the 10-52 set, so no truss rod adjustments would be needed.

I might also consider using D'Adddario strings because they offer a .009.5". Basing a set around a .009.5" allows you to build a slightly more evenly graduated set. Below is a custom set starting with a .009.5". Just a thought...

Gauge: 9.5-56 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Semi-tone down + C#

Eb: .009.5" [PL] = 13.04 pounds
Bb: .013"   [PL] = 13.70 pounds
Gb: .017"   [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .026"   [NW] = 16.40 pounds
Ab: .036"   [NW] = 17.40 pounds
C#: .056"   [NW] = 18.63 pounds

Total Tension = 93.94 pounds

This set might be a little easier on your hands and may be better if you do lots of lead playing. As I said, it's just a thought. You may be happy with your .010" on top, and if so, great.

[Dino]

This is good stuff. I have been playing on tension optimized sets for a while now and I could never go back. It's hard to believe that standard sets are so far off like they are...

[Dee]

String manufacturers COULD offer graduated tension sets along with their normal sets and at least try out the idea. I don't understand why they won't.

[Kemono]

Dee,

Can you post up tension for this set of strings?

Scale:  25.5"
Tuning: Eb, tuned ½ step down

Eb: .009.5" [PL] = 13.04 pounds
Bb: .013"   [PL] = 13.70 pounds
Gb: .017"   [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .026"   [NW] = 16.40 pounds
Ab: .036"   [NW] = 17.40 pounds
Eb: .049"   [NW] = ?? pounds

Total Tension = ?? pounds

What should I do for Dean Markley Blue Steel singles?
Where can I purchase a single 9.5?

[Dee]

Gauge: 9.5-49 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Eb / -1 semitone

Eb: .009.5" [PL] = 13.04 pounds
Bb: .013"   [PL] = 13.70 pounds
Gb: .017"   [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .026"   [NW] = 16.40 pounds
Ab: .036"   [NW] = 17.40 pounds
Eb: .049"   [NW] = 17.53 pounds

Total Tension = 92.84 pounds

What should I do for Dean Markley Blue Steel singles?
Where can I purchase a single 9.5?

I'm not sure where you can purchase a single 9.5. I only know http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk in the UK who sell a D'Addario 9.5.

[LowYaw]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I just put a set of D'Adds on the RGT and it's pretty cool; though it surely could be a little more even. One of the reasons to ask about tenson was also that I wanted to approximate 009-042 load to do as little correction to the bridge and springs as possible. However, on putting 010-052 in drop C#, I had to put one more spring in and then back off the springs about 2 mm.

But still, i like the results. I hope the neck will wihstand the tension just okay.

Originally Posted by Dee

OK. If you were to use the 10-52 set with your specified tuning, the tension should look something like this:

Gauge: 10-52
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Semi-tone down + C#

Eb: .010" [PL] = 14.45 pounds
Bb: .013" [PL] = 13.7 pounds
Gb: .017" [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .030" [NW] = 22.3 pounds
Ab: .042" [NW] = 23.44 pounds
C#: .052" [NW] = 15.56 pounds

Total Tension = 104.22 pounds

And if you want a custom set made from singles based on a .010", I would suggest something like this:

Gauge: 10-58 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Semi-tone down + C#

Eb: .010" [PL] = 14.45 pounds
Bb: .014" [PL] = 15.89 pounds
Gb: .018" [PL] = 16.55 pounds
Db: .028" [NW] = 18.98 pounds
Ab: .038" [NW] = 19.23 pounds
C#: .058" [NW] = 20.06 pounds

Total Tension = 105.15 pounds

The EB 10-52 set always seemed very unbalanced to me. The difference between the top 3 and bottom 3 strings is pretty drastic. Look at the jump in tension from .017" to .030" -- almost 7 pounds. Also, when tuning the lowest string down further (to C#) the string does not have much tension, it could sound flabby and toneless. Personally I'd be tempted to put a custom set together. With the set I suggested, it adds less than 1 pound of tension over the 10-52 set, so no truss rod adjustments would be needed.

I might also consider using D'Adddario strings because they offer a .009.5". Basing a set around a .009.5" allows you to build a slightly more evenly graduated set. Below is a custom set starting with a .009.5". Just a thought...

Gauge: 9.5-56 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Semi-tone down + C#

Eb: .009.5" [PL] = 13.04 pounds
Bb: .013"   [PL] = 13.70 pounds
Gb: .017"   [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .026"   [NW] = 16.40 pounds
Ab: .036"   [NW] = 17.40 pounds
C#: .056"   [NW] = 18.63 pounds

Total Tension = 93.94 pounds

This set might be a little easier on your hands and may be better if you do lots of lead playing. As I said, it's just a thought. You may be happy with your .010" on top, and if so, great.

[Kemono]

Originally Posted by Dee

Gauge: 9.5-49 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Eb / -1 semitone

Eb: .009.5" [PL] = 13.04 pounds
Bb: .013"   [PL] = 13.70 pounds
Gb: .017"   [PL] = 14.76 pounds
Db: .026"   [NW] = 16.40 pounds
Ab: .036"   [NW] = 17.40 pounds
Eb: .049"   [NW] = 17.53 pounds

Total Tension = 92.84 pounds

Compare to a normal set of 9-42, that's barely less tension on the high E (1.5 step bends will be less likely to peel back my fingernail) and a "normal" feeling B string (I've always hated the floppiness), and thicker, tighter low strings.

Originally Posted by Dee

I'm not sure where you can purchase a single 9.5. I only know http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk in the UK who sell a D'Addario 9.5.

http://www.juststrings.com/guitarsinglestrings.html
S.I.T. 9.5 string - Only .75 USD!

There's no Dean Markley Blue Steel singles. The plain steel strings are probably fine to swap with S.I.T. but having a wound string from a different manufacturer would be different. The winding matters.

And I really don't want to have three different brands of strings on one set. That is a little too much.

How do you figure out the tensions? I don't want to keep asking. I'd also consider going a little lighter on the low end.

.009.5
.0013
.0016.5
.025
.035
.048

But that would be impossible. Nobody makes a .016.5, .025, or .035.

I'd probably be better off just sticking to 10's, and getting that 9.5 for the high E and try and find a Blue Steel .048 somewhere for the low E (hard to find a 49).

Thanks for the informative posts.

[Devo]

Have you guys put together a non-confrontational email about string tension choice and sent it to dean markley, daddario, ernie ball etc etc and see if you get any replies? would be interesting to get their official line on string tension choice....

could simply be that the b-string is the most bent string...