[ohio_eric]

With all the talk on this board of optimum string gauges I decided to do a little digging. So I went to D’Addario’s web page and downloaded their string tension guide. After messing with it for a while I came up with a bunch of sets. I thought I would share the results for anyone that’s interested and doesn’t want to do the research.

Some odds and ends first though.

I used D’Addario’s numbers. I won’t post the string tensions here. I got enough numbers to type. But if you want you can go to D’Addario’s web site (www.daddario.com) and get the .PDF for yourself.

On some sets I have more than one gauge listed for a string. That’s because the tensions were close enough you could go either way. They’re divided by a slash (.015/.016).

On sets however with the gauges .049 and .059 I listed alternatives because not every company makes those gauges. Also if you want .0085 or .0095 set you’re out of luck if you use Ernie Ball strings and maybe a few others because they don’t make those gauges.

The .075 and .080 gauges are bass strings.

All feel free to mix and match. Use the top three strings from on set and use them with bottom four strings from a heavier set if that makes you happy.

I listed the real heavy sets like the .011s and .012s for the guys who like to tune down.

Just so you know I’m not using any of these gauges yet. I still had some packs of strings left so on my next string change I’ll probably make the jump.

All strings sets are listed high to low. (E,B,G,D,A,E,B)

Super Light: .008, .011, .014, .022, .030, .042, .056
Super Light Plus: .0085, .0115, .015, .022, .030, .042, .056
Extra Light: .009, .012, .015/.016, .024, .032, .044, .059/.060
Extra Light Plus: .0095, .013, .017, .026, .036, .049/.050, .066
Light: .010, .0135, .017 .026, .036, .049/.050, .066
Light Plus: .0105, .014, .018, .028, .038, .052, .068/.070
Medium: .011, .015, .019, .030, .042, .056, .075
Heavy: .012, .016, .020p/.022w, .032, .044, .058/.059, .080

[Metal Ken]

Here's my string set:
(W/ tensions, for a 27" Scale guitar).. I Tune down 1 step.
D .010" PL == 14.43lbs
A .014" PL == 15.87lbs
F .019" NW == 16.0lbs
C .026" NW == 16.38lbs
G .036" NW == 17.38lbs
D .050" NW == 18.2lbs
A .068" NW == 19.33lbs

[7stringninja]

Interesting.

I've read most of the threads and rants about optimum string gauge, but I've never actually compared the gauges I use to the ones that would be "optimum".

I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky - .009 .011 .016 .024 .032 .042 .052

It's actually not that far from the .009 version of the optimum gauges The 2nd string is slightly off and the 6th and 7th vary by a bit more.

I might have to try this out actually. I've toggled back and forth between the Slinky's and the Super Slinky's and various other sets of 9s and 10s to see which I prefer, and I always end up with the 9's due ONLY to difference in tension on the 1st few strings. However, I did like the feel of the slightly heavier strings on the bass side.

I'm just so weird about things like this. I tend to see it from the viewpoint of.... "Well, if it were better for strings to come in gauge sets like this, one of the manucturers would have already done that."

I wonder why they haven't. Anyone have a logical explanation?

[Metal Ken]

too much effort--my guess. i VASTLY prefer my adjusted set to anything i've played before, and intend to continue buying it in singles even though its about 7$ for a set.

[7stringninja]

Originally Posted by Metal Ken

too much effort--my guess. i VASTLY prefer my adjusted set to anything i've played before, and intend to continue buying it in singles even though its about 7$ for a set.

Too much effort couldn't possibly be a legitimate reason IMO. I mean, big companies like Ernie Ball or Diaddario MUST have an R&D department. I mean, they don't just guess a string gauge, produce it, assume it's going to work properly, and then sell it.

Is there a guitar "standard" that was made along time ago by Fender or Gibson? I know there were quite a few standards (and still are some) that few companies tend to deviate from. The scale of a guitar, the distances between strings, and other little things like that seem to stay within a standard or two which tends to keep parts SOMEWHAT interchangeable between different makes and models (different tremolo's/nuts etc..) but there doesn't APPEAR to be some sort of standard like that for strings.

I mean, as far back as I've been playing, it seems that 9's and 10's are the "standard", but why are they most often to referred by the gauge of the 1st string? (and not the 6th or 7th)

[skyclad]

thread on ss.org -String gauge suggestions please

[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by Metal Ken

Here's my string set:
(W/ tensions, for a 27" Scale guitar).. I Tune down 1 step.
D .010" PL == 14.43lbs
A .014" PL == 15.87lbs
F .019" NW == 16.0lbs
C .026" NW == 16.38lbs
G .036" NW == 17.38lbs
D .050" NW == 18.2lbs
A .068" NW == 19.33lbs

Fuck I get hard just looking at that...way to go Ken!

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Metal Ken

and intend to continue buying it in singles even though its about 7$ for a set.

*cough* www.juststrings.com *cough*

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by 7stringninja

< snip >

I'm just so weird about things like this. I tend to see it from the viewpoint of.... "Well, if it were better for strings to come in gauge sets like this, one of the manucturers would have already done that."

I wonder why they haven't. Anyone have a logical explanation?

String companies do what they do to make money, and the less they have to do to do so the more money they make. It isn't that they won't do it - they just have to see a reason to, and rarely will the reason be because it is the right thing.

FWIW - pursuing at least a balanced tension set is a positive because what it will do is give you balanced output from string to string across the fret board. The looser the string is the more it moves, the more moment there is the more volume it creates, and if the loose string happens to be a wound string this affect is increased because the pickups sense them better in the first place - tons more metal in the strings and all...


I have been raving about this in the bass world for years - I am delighted you guys are seeing the merits with skinnier strings.

[WayneCustom7]

I tried to tell them but...
and not only for tone, but also playability. But yes, I have noticed that my chords are now super-delicous, it all makes logical sense. I believe for the most part we chord with a downward motion, where we encounter the strings with the most tension, and as the downward motion continues, it weekens and so does the resistance.