[zimbloth]

Well, after many months of dicking around, I finally got around to checking out some of the string gauges suggested by Wayne 7 and his co-horts. He described how if you had consistent string tension throughout all 7 strings, that it could vastly improve playability and tone. I have to say HE IS CORRECT.

I never really understood how much of a difference this could be, until I tried it. I implore all of you to give it a shot. You guys using unbalanced gauges (such as 10-56, or worst of all those GHS sets where the E string is .052 and the B is .060... makes NOOO sense) seriously need to try this. I was happy before but now I can't see how I ever tolerated things before.

On my 25.5 Ibanez K7-FB, I put on 9-12-16-24-32-44-60 and tuned it to Bb/Eb/Ab/Db/Gb/Bb/Eb. Now, everything is so balanced, and it plays even more effortless than before. I bought that set hoping to tune to A but it was a disaster, way too floppy, with Bb tuning the trem angle evened out perfectly flat, and the tension was just right... easy bends but still very firm. I plan on checking out another set for an A tuning. Probably the 10-66 set.

Kudos to Wayne 7 and the rest for the info. For the record I'm going by the gauges listed in this thread.

[Metal Ken]

Preach it. \m/

[zimbloth]

I saw the gauge you use. That's too thick for me, but I think if I love the 9-60 set with Bb, perhaps something like 10-13-17-26-36-48-64 would work for A ?

[noodles]

I wish Just Strings didn't jump from 60 to 68. I want to try 10-13-17-26-36-50-66 in Bb standard. Currently, I'm using 10-13-17-26-36-48-60, but the 48 is a tad too light (in drop-D especially), and the 60 is bordering on floppy.

EDIT: I'm experiencing some balance issues between my two sevens, and have started a thread about so as to not hijack this one.

[eaeolian]

I may have to try this at some point...

[Mind Riot]

Laaaaaawdy lawdy!! Another convert done come over to the light!

Don't forget, I worked up a list of string tensions for four popular scale lengths to take some of the leg work out of figuring out your perfect set. It's based on D'Addario's tension list, and different makes of strings can vary a tad in tension, but it will certainly get you in the ballpark. It's in the Workbench section, check it out:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/the-sevenstring-org-workbench/9986-mind-riots-guide-to-daddario-string-tension.html

[Metal Ken]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

I saw the gauge you use. That's too thick for me, but I think if I love the 9-60 set with Bb, perhaps something like 10-13-17-26-36-48-64 would work for A ?

It would probably get you the same feel.. i did a bit of messing with the tension calculator.. and came up with:


D .010" PL == 12.87lbs
A .014" PL == 14.16lbs
F .018" PL == 14.74lbs
C .028" NW == 16.91lbs
G .038" NW == 17.13lbs
D .050" NW == 16.24lbs
A .066" NW == 16.28lbs

thats what i'd use personally - That would give you the equal tension feel in A...
Knowing your disdain for larger strings, However...

D .0095" PL == 11.61lbs
A .013" PL == 12.21lbs
F .017" PL == 13.15lbs
C .026" NW == 14.61lbs
G .036" NW == 15.51lbs
D .049" NW == 15.62lbs
A .064" NW == 15.28lbs

[Metal Ken]

Also, since i got this new Conklin Groove Tools, i needed to come up with a set to get for it once i change my strings, and here's what i came up with:

E .009" PL == 13.13lbs
B .013" PL == 15.38lbs
G .018" NW == 16.09lbs
D .025" NW == 17.09lbs
A .034" NW == 17.6lbs
E .048" NW == 18.93lbs
B .064" NW == 19.25lbs

(I Like having a wound G string a lot more than a plain one)

[Freddie]

Sorry but this concept is completely new to me. What exactly do you mean with constant tension.

Aren't standard string packages already supposed to give you lower tension on the higher strings and viceversa?

[WayneCustom7]

Fucking 'A' Zimbloth, spread the word, afterall we all know that logic sometimes in itself is not enough to convince the masses!

Originally Posted by Freddie

Sorry but this concept is completely new to me. What exactly do you mean with constant tension.

Aren't standard string packages already supposed to give you lower tension on the higher strings and viceversa?

Standard string gauges are all over the place, and especially with seven strings, the tension in the low B is way too weak.

Here read this:

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/sevenstring-guitars/5288-optimum-string-gauge.html

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/sho...m+string+gauge

How about throwing some of them browny points my way!