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Author Topic:  String gauge/tension question
Jake Bopp


From:
Tallahassee, FL
Post  Posted 16 Aug 2017 6:03 pm    
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I recently picked up an an E9 extended steel, and noticed that the string tension across the whole guitar is pretty loose compared to my BMI. Is that something I can change at my discretion, or will I have to adjust other things accordingly? The two lowest strings are barely audible to my ear, and quite floppy - not unlike a very detuned guitar. Thanks in advance for any feedback!!

Jake
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 16 Aug 2017 6:14 pm    
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Is the scale length different?
Are the strings fresh?
You might try adding a few thousandths to each string to bring the tension up.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Jake Bopp


From:
Tallahassee, FL
Post  Posted 16 Aug 2017 6:32 pm    
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No sir, scale length is the same. I actually checked that first! Strings are not -fresh- but they aren't worn out yet. A couple thou won't hurt? The low B is a .068, could I go up to a .072 and still be alright?
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 16 Aug 2017 7:35 pm    
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Especially on the low strings, you could go larger.
But most Of the extended E9th I've seen add a G# and E, so the twelfth is about one 58 and the 11th around 46-48
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 16 Aug 2017 7:43 pm    
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It sounds like the previous owner loosened all the strings for shipping...like 6 string guitar players would do.

Have you tried tuning it up yet? A .068 is normal for that low 12th string, by the way.
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Mike
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Jake Bopp


From:
Tallahassee, FL
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2017 7:00 am    
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It wasn't shipped! I bought it locally. I have fully tuned it up, it's still pretty floppy.
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2017 9:18 am    
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A friend gave me a set of Cobra Coil strings once and I put them on an Emmons push pull and they felt like spaghetti. Just saying could be string brand doing it. I played them about 30 minutes and took them off and put my S.I.T string brand back on and all back to normal.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
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Jake Bopp


From:
Tallahassee, FL
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2017 11:23 am    
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I'm gonna go ahead and put some new strings on tonight, and see if that fixes it. If not, ill beef up the low end. The higher register feels closer to right.
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Tim Russell


From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 17 Aug 2017 11:40 am    
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Have you check them with a tuner? Usually defective/worn strings bounce all over the place on the tuner readout.
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Sierra Crown D-10
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