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Topic: String Gauge 1st D on C6th |
Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 24 May 2008 4:54 pm |
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I have always used a .015 on my 1st string on C6th (D) and have never been completely satisfied with either the tone or the feel of it, so it was with some interest that I noticed Paul Franklin using a .018 with his new Jagwire sets. The 015 to me is too thin sounding and feels a bit spongy under the pick.
Well I lept in and tried a 018 and WOW what a difference it makes -- the note has a lovely fat tone to it and it feels really firm under the pick -- not surprisingly since it has to be under a bit more tension to reach the D.
Just thought I would share my findings with you all - you may or may not find the same thing suits your style, but I love it. Hats off to Paul for sharing this with us.
Surprisingly after 30 years of playing, I have never experimented that much with string gauges.
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John Cisco
From:
Alexandria Virginia, USA
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Posted 24 May 2008 5:55 pm I just noticed
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when tuning my C6 Carter that on one page of the Carter book it says D or G for the first string. If it's D it's supposed to be a .012 and if it's G it says a .015. I have a .012 on there and tuning to G. I tuned down to D and it feels spongy....and the little I've learned on C6th is now altered. Hmmm... must ask the teacher about this.
_________________
John P. Cusack a.k.a John Cisco
Carter D-10, Profex II, Fender Steel King
*Small change can often be found under seat cushions in taxicabs* |
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Danny Hullihen
From:
Harrison, Michigan
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Posted 24 May 2008 6:17 pm
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| John. That's the oposite of the way it should be. Use a .012 if you're tuning to G, and .015 if you're tuning to a D. Some of our artist that tune to D also use a .016, and as with Paul Franklin, an .018. |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 May 2008 6:45 pm
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If the first-string (D) on the C6 is not Raised, I would use a .017p, but; I Raise the (D) [½-tone] to (D#), so; I use a .016p.
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<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 26 May 2008 6:47 pm
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I use a George L .017.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 26 May 2008 8:08 pm
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| Hi John - I have the D# raise so it will be interesting to see how durable the 018 is with that! |
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Mike Bagwell
From:
Greenville, SC, USA
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Posted 26 May 2008 9:01 pm
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My first choice is a .017 but an .018 will do in a pinch.
Mike |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 26 May 2008 9:32 pm
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On the E9th, most of us use a .015 for the D#. It stands to reason that the D string on the C6th could be a bit heavier than that. .018 seems to be pushing it a bit though. JMHO.
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-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 31 May 2008 10:56 am
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To my line of reasoning, a .018p will result in uneven tension; compared to the rest of the strings used for that tuning!
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 31 May 2008 2:38 pm
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| Mr Franklin (Sr) told me to use a .017 if I used a D. I've tried the D but go back to the G. |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 1 Jun 2008 3:30 am
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I normally have a G on top becaue I like to do rolls on those strings like my dobro.
When I used a D on top I went to a .017 as most above do. |
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Danny Hullihen
From:
Harrison, Michigan
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Posted 1 Jun 2008 4:06 am
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John Bechtel, your line of reasoning is correct, however, as you've seen there are a few variations out there that aparently work well regardless of temper/balance theories. As another good example of this, we have a few of our artists that use a .058 and a .079 on the 9th and 10th strings, C-6th tuning. Although I wouldn't recomend it personally, these guys obvioulsy know what they are doing and have proved it's usefullness for their application. Of course, using these gauges would require some modifications to the guitar for sure. I haven't tried this myself yet, but I've listened to the guys that have, (and you probably have to unknowingly) and it is pretty awesome sounding.
Jack Stoner, I'm with you on that, however, we also have a few that prefer a .016 for the D tuning.
Within the .015 to .018 range, there's really no "right or wrong" with those choices, it's more a matter of personal preference and what "feels right" to the individual. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 1 Jun 2008 3:17 pm
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| Well so far the 018 has shown no durability issues, and while, as John pointed out, it has a little more tension to it than the rest of my set - so far I really like it. When I change the set I might try out a 017 for comparison but so far I really like the 018 for its tone and the feel under the pick. Time will tell. |
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