Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Don Stachovak on October 15, 2018 at 6:36am

I would try the .017 .026 .036 first. That's the middle 3 from a set of 10's and should work fine. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on October 15, 2018 at 6:49am

What gauge you choose depends on what tuning you go for...you can still put a lot of load on a neck with light gauge strings if they are tuned high.  I use 046, 030, 022 for GDG tuning . With a .016 on the top you'd be looking at something like CGC as your tuning.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 15, 2018 at 7:57am

Hello John,  I would be tuning GDG (basic open G tuning). I would think the heavier gauge set you recommend would put more stress on the neck than a set with 32,24,16. Am I correct or am I confused?  I would think the 46,30,22 would sound better  I was just concerned the string tension would be too much for the neck.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on October 15, 2018 at 11:20am

That’s about right Frank, I play same gauges as Chickenbone for GDG. Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Don Stachovak on October 15, 2018 at 11:24am

I go 22, 32, 42 for low G tuning. But i have a St Blues that came with 46, 26, 17, and I just use those on that one (I'm too lazy to mess with the nut). Experiment!

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 15, 2018 at 11:38am

Thanks Don and Brian for your comments. That is good to hear the larger gauges work fine with no bowing issues.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 15, 2018 at 11:37am

Really? I thought that large low G might cause too much tension on the neck? With no truss rod if the larger gauges do not cause any bowing issues that is great. I know for sure the sound will be optimum. Thanks....

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Permalink Reply by Korrigan on October 15, 2018 at 12:09pm

Depends on your scale length, which tuning and which octave you are going for.

A 25.5" scale with nickel roundwounds, .036 .026 .017, tuned G2 D3 G3  is about 48lbs of tension total.

Same scale with .070 .048 .036 tuned G1 D2 G2 would be about 45lbs.

Check out these awesome tools:

Guitar String Diameter Calculator
Guitar String Tension Calculator

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 15, 2018 at 1:06pm

Thanks a million Korrigan for the input and the links. This is just great.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on October 15, 2018 at 12:38pm

I’ve been playing the same 3 stringer since 2003 with no bowing. Oak neck thru with no fretboard tuned GDG & AEA. I started out with .052, .042, .030 (EBE/DAD) before switching it over to GDG .046, .030, .022 & my neck is still straight as an arrow.

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Permalink Reply by Frank Scott on October 15, 2018 at 1:04pm

Wow that is super.  I am sure even with a disc type piezo pickup the unit would sound great. I appreciate all your input. Good information for sure.

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Permalink Reply by Chris B-stock on October 15, 2018 at 4:28pm

I just pick a set I like for six string and use the gauges for the third (G), fourth (D), and fifth (A) strings. You tune the 'fifth' string down a whole step and you get GDG. Should be safe tension for most any CBG neck.

I order several of each size in single strings and make up my own sets:

http://www.juststrings.com/guitarsinglestrings.html

Here is the D'Addario chart the calculators use if you want to go deeper:

http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

Similar GHS chart:

http://www.ghsrep.net/uploads/2/2/2/5/22258814/ghs_electric_guitar_...

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