Post by John D. MisrahiWhat gauges of strings do you guys use for roundneck resonator guitars
generally?
If it is being used to play fingerstyle, bottle neck etc..
and what if it is being used with a nut extender to be played lap
style? How heavy can I safely go? i am using it in DADF#AD
I use a set on my squareneck that is listed as a resonator guitar set
to be tuned GBDGBD - standard bluegrass dobro tuning, but i wonder if
its too heavy for my roundneck..it starts 1.015 or 16.. i think
I have a system for figuring this out. :) This is kinda long, but maybe
it'll help.
The basic mantra is "for whatever altered tuning you're in, don't exceed
the string tension you'd have with a set of medium gauge strings in
standard tuning."
Most necks can handle medium tension. With a resonator, there are no
worries about the bridge lifting due to twisting forces, since the
tension is held at the tailpiece. It's all about the neck. I'm not sure
how a nut extender changes the geometry of the string pull, but I would
still go no higher than the equivalent string tension to standard tuning
(but adjusted for the tuning you're actually using).
Okay, so then you need to figure out your string tension in altered/open
tunings. I use an online calculator for this:
http://www.pacificsites.net/~dog/StringTensionApplet.html
To find medium tension in standard tuning (if you don't have the info
handy), leave the note names alone, change the "len" value for scale to
whatever your guitar scale is, and plug in the weights for a set of
medium gauge strings. I use D'Addario values, since that's what the
calculator data is based on. You'll end up with the following info
(remember this is for standard tuning):
len 25"
E4 .013" PL == 26.34#
B3 .017" PL == 25.28#
G3 .026" PB == 33.93#
D3 .035" PB == 35.41#
A2 .045" PB == 32.71#
E2 .056" PB == 27.91#
total == 181.6#
This text data can be pasted back and forth into the Java calculator by
the way, which is very handy. I keep notes on all this stuff to remember
what the heck I'm doing.
If the guitar was 25.6" scale instead of 25", the total for standard
tuning/medium strings would be about 190 lbs. So I assume that as long
as my reso guitar isn't running any higher than about 180-190 lbs. total
string tension, in ANY altered tuning.... then I'm okay. It's the total
tension that matters... and also to a lesser extent the balance between
high and low strings. You don't want the tension drastically higher on
one side, or you might risk collapsing the cone.
Okay, so now all you have to do is plug in the note values for the
tuning you're actually using. Watch how the tension changes, and try
plugging in different string gauges until you're back at a tension
similar to medium gauge in standard tuning. Keep an eye on the total
tension at the bottom. As long as you're not over 180-190 lbs., you're
safe (in my opinion, but make these judgements for yourself!). On a
vintage guitar you might want to be more conservative, but I've used
this to figure out what strings to run on my '37 roundneck Dobro (no
trussrod) in open E, and after a few months the neck hasn't budged. Just
be careful. Sneak up on it slowly, if you're worried.
If you prefer lighter tension for easier fretting behind the slide, use
light gauge in standard tuning as your guide for total tension. That's
roughly 160 lbs. total tension.
For example, here's the string set I'm using on my roundneck National
Bendaway, tuned in open E (the values are for stainless steel
roundwounds, which I'm currently using on this guitar):
len 25"
E4 .015" PL == 35.07#
B3 .017" PL == 25.28#
G3# .026" XS == 35.0#
E3 .032" XS == 33.51#
B2 .042" XS == 31.28#
E2 .056" XS == 24.77#
total == 184.91#
Notice how I've got the tension up pretty high on that upper E string,
but I like that because it helps support the slide. I've made all sorts
of fine-tuned adjustments in this set, to get the tension where I want
it on the individual strings. The main thing is that I'm still staying
under the safety margin of the Mantra ("no higher than medium tension in
standard tuning"). The calculator gets you close, but the final choice
has to be the result of experiment and personal preference. If you're
using non-D'Addario strings, the tension will also be a little different
than what the calculator says.
BTW, to make up these custom sets, I buy individual strings from
www.juststrings.com. I order in batches every 4-5 months, to keep from
paying too much in shipping.
This approach works for any tuning. I use the same system to figure out
what gauge strings to use on my baritone acoustic guitar.
P.S. here is the official word from National on safe string tensions, if
it helps. It's reasonably close to what I'm recommending here, I think:
"5. What string gauges should I use?
Our standard, acoustic round neck guitars are set up
at the factory with a regular medium gauge that is:
.013, .017, .026, .036, .046, .056. Some people like
to increase the first or second string's diameters
to .015 and .019. We find this good for playing in
standard guitar tuning and/or dropped D and G tunings.
If one desires to play in open A or open E tunings,
we would suggest that you use, for the wound strings,
a lighter gauge: G @ .024, D @ .034, A @ .044 and E @ .052 or .054.
One could then have .013 and .017 for first and second
strings. If you play in open A or open E and would
like to stay with the standard medium gauge strings,
then tune it down 3 steps before putting it away."
--
Mike Barrs