Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on June 13, 2017 at 7:25pm

3rd .042NW, 2nd .030NW and the bothersome 1st is .009 plain steel. Any recommendations?

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 14, 2017 at 2:14am

Those gauges are way out of whack - .042 and .030 are OK but you want anything between .020w and .024w on the top. You can go plain gauge, but I find them rather stiff and dead sounding compared to a wound of the same gauge. We produce various sets, all aimed at proper playability - getting the string gauges right can make a huge difference to the feel of a guitar.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 14, 2017 at 11:21am

Hey chicken bone. Im a big fan of your work, you've helped alot through your yt Videos. I tried the .026 from the medium set I had and didn't like it much. Too much tension. I found a set of steel acoustic strings and put the .014 unwound on. Seems good but a bit bright compared to the others. I'll grab a set of electric strings and try that. I'll definitely try a set of your strings too. Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 16, 2017 at 12:00am

Hey chicken bone. Along the same lines, ie, string tension and playability. What is your favourite scale length for cbg's? I made my first one 25.5" and I love it but I've got so much to learn. I've got 3 necks on the go atm and haven't decided on scale length. I'm a cabinet maker by trade but a complete beginner playing and not getting any younger. So any and all advise is welcomed and encouraged. Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 13, 2017 at 4:11am

Nothing wrong with mixing gauges. 25.5 is Fender scale length. Take an A string from a Medium set. Ar you using electric or acoustic strings? You may want to use a phosphor bronze acoustic Medium A...

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 13, 2017 at 7:31pm

Well that's an eye opener for me. Sounds good. I've already bought "medium" strings and the first string jumps in diameter from the lite I'm using now @ .009 plain steel to the medium first @ .026 nickel wound. I would have thought there was an option between but I'll give it a go just replacing the first.

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Permalink Reply by JL on June 14, 2017 at 2:14am

so you used the #5, #4, and #1 strings from a pack...with the #1 drop tuned a Major 6th to get the higher G note, yes it will feel floppy.

1) try the #3 string instead for the octave G

2) or the #2 string since its only a major 2nd drop tuning for that octave G

3) or tune the #1 up another octave so its uptuned a minor 2nd for a 1-5-16 (8-octave) tuning.  don't worry, a light tension string can be tuned up a 4th and becomes a medium tension string.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 14, 2017 at 11:47am

Thanks JL. Yeah, I've tried a #2 @ .014. Seems much better.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on June 14, 2017 at 3:00am

I rarely look at if the pack says light or medium because the string gauges vary quite a bit from one brand to another and from electric to acoustic. I always look at the actual gauge of the strings. The ones mentioned by CB John are perfect for GDg tuning but I often use lighter ones for a different sound and feel. The lightest gauge I've gotten away with for the high g string is a .017 plain. It has plenty of tension and bends well if bends are in your playing style. The low G is .036ish and the middle D is around .026 when I want a lighter set. This closely corresponds to an electric "regular" set's 5th, 4th and 3rd strings if that helps.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 14, 2017 at 11:42am

Thanks. It does help. Being an absolute beginner I didn't know what to think. You and the others contributers help alot. Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 14, 2017 at 11:13am

Me too. I found a steel acoustic set and put the .014 on. Much better.

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Permalink Reply by JL on June 15, 2017 at 12:14am

Please Forgive the soapbox moment that follows:

to clarify that light/medium/heavy is the TENSION that the package is put together for intended use.

A light tension #6 E string is about the same gauge as a medium tension #5 A string just tuned up a 4th higher.  My go-to reference is the D-Addario string tension guide, showing every gauge and its tension across a full octave of notes you can tune it to.

http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page

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