I have just set up one of my eight string guitars to play an E13 tuning with a G# on the top. I can't seem to find a string that will hold up to the tension. I have tried .11 through .09 and they all seem to beak between the nut and the tuning drum. I will try I heavier (.12) string tomorrow but thought I would get some advice first. Scale length is 24". All sharp corners have been smoothed out and there is no onvious cause other than string tension.
Thanks for the help,
Gary
String Gauge Suggestions For E13 Tuning
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Gary Meixner
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Rick Abbott
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An .0115 or .012 will likely work. If you dig around on Brad's Page Of Steel, in the links up above, you could find a steel guitar string gauge chart. I use it all the time. Shorter scales allow for a tad heavier string. I use a .012 on my G# to A pull on my third string on PSG, almost never have a break. In fact I broke a .038 the same age as my .012!
RICK ABBOTT
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b0b
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What brand of strings are you using? I routinely use a .011 or .012 Jagwire or S.I.T. for the high G# on my 24.5" Fender, with no problem.
Related question: what gauge are people using for the middle G#? Plain or wound?
Related question: what gauge are people using for the middle G#? Plain or wound?
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John Bechtel
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These are the gauges I use on my 22½” E9/13 8-str. and 10-str.
8-str.________10-str.________
G# .012p______G# .012p_______
E .015p_______E .015p________
C# .018p______C# .018p_______
B .020p_______B .020p________
G# .022w______G# .022w_______
F# .026w______F# .026w_______
D .034w______[E] .030w_______
E .056w_______D .034w________
_____________ .040w_______
______________E .056w________
On a longer-scale, I would use .011p for my G# first-string. I use strictly jPearse Strings, but; I think any good quality string would produce the same results!
8-str.________10-str.________
G# .012p______G# .012p_______
E .015p_______E .015p________
C# .018p______C# .018p_______
B .020p_______B .020p________
G# .022w______G# .022w_______
F# .026w______F# .026w_______
D .034w______[E] .030w_______
E .056w_______D .034w________
_____________ .040w_______
______________E .056w________
On a longer-scale, I would use .011p for my G# first-string. I use strictly jPearse Strings, but; I think any good quality string would produce the same results!
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Gary Meixner
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Hey, thanks for the replies.
I think I have the problem solved. The nut on my guitar is a large brass rod with a groove machined around the diameter of the rod as a string guide. It is set fairly close to the string post so the string is making a lot of contact with the nut. I think what is happenning is the string is binding at the nut, concentrating the tension between the nut and string post. I'll try a little lubrication and maybe re-machine the nut. Thanks for the help. By the way I use a wound string for the middle G#.
Gary
I think I have the problem solved. The nut on my guitar is a large brass rod with a groove machined around the diameter of the rod as a string guide. It is set fairly close to the string post so the string is making a lot of contact with the nut. I think what is happenning is the string is binding at the nut, concentrating the tension between the nut and string post. I'll try a little lubrication and maybe re-machine the nut. Thanks for the help. By the way I use a wound string for the middle G#.
Gary