Most strings can be bought in sets (9-11-16-24-32-42), leaving us two or three unused strings lying around - i found one or two sellers on Ebay who sell strings individually or in packs of six, so no more unused string gauges in my spares box!  

 

6 New Ernie Ball 16 Gauge Electric Single String

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-X-PACK-ERNIE-BALL-NICKEL-SINGLE-GUITAR-...

 

I normally used the following gauges on my 25.5" scale guitars: 11, 16, 24, 32  (b, G, D, G)

I found this "middle four" arrangement from a standard set of Ernie Ball Super Slinkys worked well but was left with spare 9 and 42 gauge strings, the 42 being far too tight to use and upset the apple cart as it were, I managed to obtain 6-packs of the string gauges i normally used but the B or "melody" string seemed far too quiet in the "mix" so tried some thicker strings to bring the notes out.

Another 16 was far too tight (this is turning into a '3 bears' story...!) but made an amazing difference, though made bending a little difficult, so a 14 gauge was brought in and did the trick - nice loud melody string, it matched the tautness of the other strings and was easy to bend!

So my new configuration is.... 14, 16, 24, 32   (b, G, D, G)...sorted!,  ...the 24 gauge can be bought as  wound or plain but i prefer wound...(-:

 

    6 New Ernie Ball 16 Gauge Electric Single String              

     

Views: 348

Replies to This Discussion

FWIW D'Addario (electric, acoustic, classical, other) and La Bella (electric, gut/classical) sell individual strings directly on their websites. La Bella also offers some interesting strings for Eastern and folk instruments including viol and Viola da Gamba that could be of interest to the more experimental builders out there.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Looking to add another string...

Started by Urban Bill. Last reply by Oscar Stern Dec 9, 2023. 3 Replies

Why four strings...?

Started by Slowpaw Steve T. Last reply by Oscar Stern Aug 15, 2023. 10 Replies

Converting a three string CBG to four string

Started by Slowpaw Steve T. Last reply by Oscar Stern Aug 15, 2023. 1 Reply

Neck install

Started by bizzaro guitaro. Last reply by bizzaro guitaro Mar 19, 2017. 5 Replies

New instruction book from Justin Johnson

Started by Slowpaw Steve T. Last reply by Steve Moskal Jun 22, 2015. 2 Replies

Chords on 4 string open E

Started by Rob Bennett. Last reply by Uncle John Oct 15, 2014. 5 Replies

2nd 4 string

Started by Daryl. Last reply by Daryl Jun 28, 2014. 2 Replies

4 strings tuned GDAd

Started by frank tennyson. Last reply by frank tennyson Apr 30, 2014. 2 Replies

Online lesson resources?

Started by brdfrd. Last reply by brdfrd Apr 24, 2014. 4 Replies

Where to place 4-String Single Coil Pickup?

Started by Charles E Tuttle. Last reply by Charles E Tuttle Nov 29, 2013. 7 Replies

Reentrant tuning gCEA

Started by Darren Allard. Last reply by jamie bark Sep 14, 2013. 3 Replies

2nd Four String

Started by Gdawg. Last reply by James O Lunsford Sep 11, 2013. 3 Replies

GDG

Started by Brent. Last reply by eK May 8, 2013. 6 Replies

Keni Lee Burgess Four string beginners (resonator) video

Started by Slowpaw Steve T. Last reply by Slowpaw Steve T Sep 20, 2012. 2 Replies

New 4-string Cigar Box Guitar "The Wine Box"

Started by Dreessen Rene. Last reply by Dreessen Rene Aug 14, 2012. 2 Replies

Some Observations on String Gauges

Started by Slowpaw Steve T. Last reply by eK Jun 25, 2012. 1 Reply

New to foiur string

Started by Mal Chilvers. Last reply by Slowpaw Steve T Apr 8, 2012. 1 Reply

4 string box

Started by Rooster Reaves. Last reply by Rooster Reaves Feb 23, 2012. 7 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
16 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
16 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
17 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
17 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
17 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
19 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
20 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
22 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
yesterday
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
yesterday
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->