Why the heavy strings on 8 string resophonics

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

I bought an 8 string resophonic which I keep tuned to the C6/9 (that is the C6 with the D chromatic string on top). I put the same string gauges on it as I do my electric of the same scale length-15-14-17-20-24-30-36-42 from high to low. But when I got the Mike Auldridge instruction DVD, I found that he recommends 16-14-17-24-26-34-45-56. Whoa!

for the same notes. I'm wondering why. Does this have to do with sound production (either volume or tone)? Or is it maybe just part of the tradition of using more or less a regular set of guitar strings (in this case with 2 added strings) to string up a reso? I'm wondering whether I should stick with my current gauges or go heavier. I sure could use some more volume in some settings if that's what this is about.
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Beard Guitars · From: Maryland, USA

Those look like Mike's G6 gauges.
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Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Since I don't play G6 at this time, I didn't look closely at his G6 gauges. But the first sting on the G6 tuning is either a 10 or an eleven. I'll recheck tonite to make absolutely sure I have this right. But I did look very carefully the first time. I'd be very surprised to find that I didn't copy them correctly. I have been very surprised to find that the guitar makers I've talked to can't answer this either. I suspect that it's an unexamined practice that has no particular use. If that turns out to be true, I'm disinclined to put the extra stress on my instrument. I remember a thread that talked about C6 as being a too stressful tuning for a weissenborne. It was fine on my weissenborne. Probably because I use these lower stress string gauges.
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Beard Guitars · From: Maryland, USA

I just checked my notes and here is what Mike gave us for his C6 set:

D(.016)-E(.014)-C(.018)-A(.024)-G(.026)-E(.034)-C(.045)-A(.054)

Hope this helps
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301-733-8271
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Beard Guitars · From: Maryland, USA

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Aha. That's a sensible explanation alright. I guess I'm going to have to try the heavier gauges. The low C and A strings are scary though. Very Happy

Thanks for your input.
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Steve Ahola · From: Concord, California

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Part of the reason for my question is just what you're talking about. Square neck players use these gigantically heavy gauges. But regular guitar players, even on guitars with resonators, use much lighter gauges for the same notes. I have to assume, therefore that these heavy gauges are about putting tension on the resonator cone for purposes of maximizing volume, tone and sustain, which is just what Howard said. It worries me some that manufacturers and builders seem to have so little to say about recommending gauges to use. The gauges seem to me to have been arrived at in a somewhat haphazard manner, Mr. Auldridge's excellent results notwithstanding. I'm going to give these heavier strings a try to see what results I get. The result is the important thing after all. But it'd be nice if some really smart guy could lay this out in nice, numerical way that I can understand and that takes factors like how much tension and pressure strings and necks and etc. can take without either breaking or going dull or..........

Thanks for the chart. I'll have a look.
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Beard Guitars · From: Maryland, USA

If you browse through the resonator guitar forums you'll see as much discussion about strings as you see here about cabinet drop Laughing

On square neck guitars you'll have a LOT of latitude on gauges..up to a point. That's why we (Beard Guitars) have custom sets based on our preferences. Mike has his preferences. I have my preferences. A lot is subjective.

Strings are consumables...You'll end up trying them all before its all over and done with.

Have fun.

h
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Billy Gilbert · From: Texas, USA

I don't claim to be a "really smart guy" but I have three 8 string resos. Two of them like the Beard MA strings just fine, but the other one has to have somewhat lighter strings to sound "right". That one is also very sensitive to tension on the adjustment screw. Over all, heavier strings seem to get the best tone out a reso, and you can bet that that is what Mike A is shooting for. Lighter strings seem to have a "tinny" sound on a reso. I only use G6 and E7 so I haven't tried C6 on anything but lap steel, and there I use the "high" tuning with a G on the top string.

Billy Gilbert · From: Texas, USA

I don't claim to be a "really smart guy" but I have three 8 string resos. Two of them like the Beard MA strings just fine, but the other one has to have somewhat lighter strings to sound "right". That one is also very sensitive to tension on the adjustment screw. Over all, heavier strings seem to get the best tone out a reso, and you can bet that that is what Mike A is shooting for. Lighter strings seem to have a "tinny" sound on a reso. I only use G6 and E7 so I haven't tried C6 on anything but lap steel, and there I use the "high" tuning with a G on the top string.

John Groover McDuffie · From: LA California, USA

Unless the D'Addario chart has been updated you have to look at it with a grain of salt. I noticed on the one I got from them a number of years ago that the same gauge string tuned to the same pitch was listed as having different tensions in various sets listed.

Doug Freeman · From: Los Angeles, CA

Presumably that A(.024) is a wound string?

Beard Guitars · From: Maryland, USA

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Well, I apologize for my use of the term haphazard. I've been told that it has an emotional connotation that I didn't intend. But it sounds like y'all are confirming that this is a strictly trial and error process to get the right string gauges for the sound one wants on the particular guitar one owns and that any guidelines given are just that-guidelinnes.......which is kind of what I was saying. What struck me about Mike's choices were the extemely heavy gauges he uses on string 7 and 8 in the C6 and string 6 and 7 on the G6. No other string was more than .004 different from electric C6. Some were actually the same. The two strings in question went to .008 and .012 (depending on which recommendation you compared) respectively. And then, on the G6, string 8 goes back to being on a .003 difference. I just couldn't get mind mind around that. There's no question that I need to use heavier strings. And that is especially obvious on strings 7 and 8. I think I'll use the tension chart referred to here and experiment around a little. Given that this is such a controversial and subjective decision, I probably won't even post my results. Thanks for y'all's comments. It has been more informative than you have probably guessed.
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Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Well, I looked at Reso-nation for discussions of this topic. I found that it isn't particularly controversial. Everyone seems to be using Mike Auldridge's gauges. So that's what I put on. I have to admit that the results so far are superlative. Also, just for the hell of it, I decided to experiment with a stevens style bar. Playing a resonator is definitely a very different from playing electric. The stevens bar is definitely the way to go for a resonator. But I have an SP-2. Think I'll try the Scheerhorn.
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