Was messing around and wanted to see how many different open tunings I could get out of the gauge of strings i use. Went online and checked out different brands and gauges. Came up with this chart.
The top row is the open tuning for a standard six string guitar. Below each string are the gauges used for that tuning from thickest to thin. Colors are used to represent the same tuning used on the next string higher in pitch. If you compare the strings used to tune both E and A you'll see that some of the strings used to tune a low E can also be used to tune to A.
The ? to ? below each column is the preposed tunings for those strings. I only went one step lower on each string. Tuning down from A to G. Because if you make your strings too loose they start to sound wobbly.
The next row down is the gauge of strings I use and what I believe I should be able to tune them to.
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I was totally unaware there were 16 gauge high E's. When looking for info on bronze strings I've found that D'Addario has tension charts for each set. Their 16 gauge high E runs a tension of 30.740 with 10's around 16.2. HUGE difference. And going by the tension of their B string it could easily handle being tuned up to that high E. However I'm not sure of the strength of phosphor bronze and how it would handle being tuned up.
Iv'e got the D'Addario site saved. It'll take some time to go through all this cool data. I feel confident my estimates on electric guitar strings are accurate enough to help fellow players out with finding new tunings. I know different types of strings will have different strengths. Try but there may be breakage is the best I can offer for now.
16s? Yeesh! I once strung my Hondo LP copy (DiMarzio humbuckers) with 13s for rhythm playing and I could scarcely get them down to the fingerboard...
Been pondering your 'two sets different gauges' idea. Much heavier than 10s and you couldn't get the low E up to G; much lighter and the B would be too light, I think. I've got a few on the bench- I'll see if the 'two GDGs and one EE'B' thing will fly.
Hi, I said earlier that electric sets of strings have unwound 3rds,ooops! I'm just fitting a few of my CBGs with new strings, Jazz style 12 - 52 and found that the 3rds are wound. Sorry 'bout that.
Don't really think sliding or fretting would matter. The over all range determines what key you can tune the guitar. This does help singers. I find myself tuning to higher keys so I'm not singing low. To low in G I can turn to B and the song sounds better. I have a low voice. A slide only player can have CGBs in different keys to add variety to a performance.
I can see mixing sets to reach a desired key. Higher or lower than G.
Hi, I find that light strings, when a bottle neck slide is used, can result in rattle on the frets easier and lower volume. So I keep the heavier gauges for slide set ups.
Bluegrass/Dobro factory sets run to 56 to 16, the sets I buy anyway.
Taff
I should put a disclaimer on this. The highest of each tuning is based on what the next string down starts at. There can be a difference between wound and unwound strings in strength. So the highest tunings using an unwrapped G string is an estimate based on the total thickness of the string. It wasn't always mentioned if the third string was wrapped or not.
I redid the chart for better printing. Left my string gauge and it's estimates off.
I found that electric guitar sets have unwound 3rds and acoustic guitar sets have wound 3rds.
Taff
Question for you Taff (on the grounds that you sound as though you're in the UK)- what do you pay for single strings? Cos I can't find ANY for less than £1- wound are sometimes £1.50- and if sets of six are £5 or less (they often are in multi buy offers) and I can use all but the high E, I'm better off buying sets.
maybe I could repurpose the high Es as cheese wire...
Hi Wal, nah I'm in Aussie mate.
But your answer is the one I expected, with cheap sets available on the net it is cheaper than buying single strings. I can buy mine wholesale so a bit better.
Taff
Taff
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