custom gauges on strings


ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,466
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,466
09/25/2020 2:56 pm
Originally Posted by: ddiddlerAs a beginner am I missing something when I suggest this other than the strings need to be compatible with each other in a set.

To get a complete & informed answer I encourage you to ask this in Steve White's guitar tech forum.

https://www.guitartricks.com/forum/threads.php?f=30

I think most guitar string manufacturers use specific gauges to create a balanced set of string tension. But there is probably plenty of wiggle room for doing something like you suggest. And most electric guitars are certain mechanically able to withstand more tension that acoustic guitars.

Hope that helps!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

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# 1
ddiddler
Registered User
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 364
ddiddler
Registered User
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 364
09/25/2020 5:03 pm

thanks Christopher

I will take it to the gear threads.

Wasn't sure if it was specific enough for that.

More of a general discussion point


# 2
ddiddler
Registered User
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 364
ddiddler
Registered User
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 364
09/25/2020 5:06 pm

deleted post but dmade nonsense of the thread so a readd

many interesting videos on youtube of everyone testing 7 gauge and being surprised at their playability.

My discussion point here is the advice to beginners to fit lighter gauge strings to ease fretting.

But generally it is the thicker end of the range that cause us problems.

Maybe we want to go below 50 for the low E but we can manage with higher than 7 or 8 at the high E

My Ernie Ball Extra Slinky go 8-11-14-22-30-38

by taking out the 8 and replacing with a custom 17

I start at 11 and still have a lighter 38 at the low E

now 11-14-17-22-30-38

As a beginner am I missing something when I suggest this other than the strings need to be compatible with each other in a set.

This is one example but is surely do-able whatever range you start with by selecting our thicker string first rather than the thinnest


# 3

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