String gauges chart

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 14 Apr 2010 11:45 am

Forum member Alex Cucheran sent me this interesting chart of string gauges. You can download the full resolution printable PDF file here:

download StringGauge.pdf
<center>

</center>

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 14 Apr 2010 11:56 am

That's something I could use,I'm thinking about a D9th on my new guitar.

Gianni Gori · Post by **Gianni Gori** » 14 Apr 2010 2:03 pm

Very useful, thanks!

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 14 Apr 2010 2:40 pm

If I'm reading this chart correctly it looks like most of us with 24" and 24.25" scale length are running a bit larger string than they recommend.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 14 Apr 2010 5:28 pm

I think that Ernie Ball's original chart said to use the highest note that you get with a pedal to look up the gauge.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 14 Apr 2010 8:13 pm

Your right Bob ..I have the original Ernie ball booklet which had recommended string gauges for just about every stringed instrument ever thought of.
The pedal steel recommendations were for the highest note raised by a particular string.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 16 Apr 2010 2:43 pm

Neat b0b. A person would have to hunt like hexx otherwise for this info.
Thanks.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 16 Apr 2010 3:37 pm

Thanks b0b,

I recently was hunting down a similar chart and found it through the forum links to Carter here:
http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/strings/ ... auges.html

This Ernie Ball chart doesnt have the different neck lengths as ([edited] the one Alex posted does though.
It does mention using the highest note raised on a string as the note to choose guage.

Clete

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 17 Apr 2010 2:58 am

That chart does not go along with the "Nashville Gauges".

When I got my Franklin (new), Mr Franklin told me to use the "Nashville Guage" strings. He said they did extensive testing when he was at Sho-Bud on string guages and that is what they came up with.

Gianni Gori · Post by **Gianni Gori** » 17 Apr 2010 3:07 am

...what do you mean "Nashville Gauges"?

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 17 Apr 2010 7:25 am

Clete Ritta wrote:Thanks b0b,

I recently was hunting down a similar chart and found it through the forum links to Carter here:
http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/strings/ ... auges.html

This Ernie Ball chart doesnt have the different neck lengths as yours does though.
It does mention using the highest note raised on a string as the note to choose guage.

Clete

Just to clarify, that's not my chart. It came from Alex Cucheran, who copied it from Ernie Ball's literature (I think) . My chart doesn't make allowances for scale lengths.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 17 Apr 2010 10:50 am

The "Nashville Gauges" are the standard gauges for George L's, GHS pedal steel strings, Cobra Coil and many more.

E9th:
1st .013
2nd .015
3rd .011
4th .014
5th .017
6th .020P
7th .026w
8th .030w
9th .034w
10th .036w

C6th:
G - .012 or D - .017
E - .014
C - .017
A - .020
G - .024W
E - .030W
C - .036W
A - .042W
F - .054W
C - .070W

Mark Daniels · Post by **Mark Daniels** » 12 May 2010 4:02 pm

I used the search facility and found this thread

Being new to the instrument I have a tuning guide from the manufacturer which reads

13 15 11 14 17 20 26w 30w 34w 36w

This matches the D'Addario strings which i can buy online.

The Ernie Ball set is slightly different
13 15 *10* 14 *18* *22* 26 30 34 *38*

Having no experience with this issue, does it matter if the gauges are slightly different or should you stick rigidly to the manufacturer's recommendations?

Any help much appreciated.

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 12 May 2010 8:48 pm

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 13 May 2010 5:01 pm

Mark Daniels wrote:...does it matter if the gauges are slightly different or should you stick rigidly to the manufacturer's recommendations?

Generally the manufacturer sets up a guitar with their recommended guages.
According to these charts, a point up or down in guage should still work.

Whatever set of strings you wind up liking, stay with the brand and guage so that your guitars setup remains consistent.
Otherwise you'll be reaching for the nylon tuning adjusters when changing guage.

Clete

Mark Daniels · Post by **Mark Daniels** » 14 May 2010 1:14 pm

Thanks for that. It's out my mind at rest.

OK. Newbie (and possibly dumb) question...

Is there any difference between regular electric guitar strings and pedal steel strings? Are they different lengths or have the wrap only over a certain length of string.

Pedal Steel scale is slightly shorter than a regular guitar, so I thought this was a question worth asking.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 15 May 2010 12:12 am

Some folk will say theres a difference, some wont.
I personally don't see much difference between the SIT BE E9 steel strings I use on E9 or the SIT power wound 6 string nickel sets I use on guitar, other than that one is stainless steel and one is nickel. I've used them interchangeably in the heat of battle.

6 string electric guitars without a floating bridge are much more tolerable to a point or two difference in guage than pedal steel though.

Clete

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 15 May 2010 3:52 am

I've found that the Jagwire strings, and strings from pedal steel manufacturers, seem to break less often than generic or "guitar" strings. That said, if I break a string I will happily raid my spares box for ~whatever~ to fix just one, but I do try to start with a set of "PSG" strings. Even though they are surely made in the same factories, there's, like, one extra layer of quality control there.

Mark Daniels · Post by **Mark Daniels** » 15 May 2010 4:46 pm

In my impatience to get playing, I've bought electric guitar strings in the correct gauges as my local doesn't stock PSG strings.

I had to go to 2 stores as the first didn't have the exact strings I needed.