L. Bogue Sandberg
From:
Chassell, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 4 Mar 2012 3:01 pm |
|
Jim,
With your two closely matched guitars, a pile of different gauged strings, some instrumentation borrowed from your local physics department (or recording studio), and a whole lot of spare time, you could win the Nobel Prize for (Resophonic) Physics!
Most of us use the same gauges on 8 string G6 tuning as we do on 6 string G, adding a .030 or 032 for the middle E and a .056 to .059 for the low E. The sum of the string tensions is increased from about 225 lb. to 290 lb., almost a 30% increase. If the break angle at the bridge inserts is the same on the two guitars, the down force on the spider would increase by the same percentage. At the same time, we are increasing the total mass of the strings over 50% in going from 6 to 8 strings. The damping effects of the strings must also increase by some unknown, but significant, amount.
Conventional wisdom equates increased down force with increased volume. Aside from the cone crush limit, there may be some optimum beyond which more force doesn't give more volume.
More string mass will change the vibrational response of the cone and more damping will make volume decay more rapid.
I've always tried to respect the wisdom of the elders, figuring tunings and the associated string gauges were forged by trial and error over many years. But 8 string resophonics are still a relatively rare breed. So maybe we have some learning to do yet. I'm trying to find the time to experiment with slightly lighter gauges. Someone a while back suggested that A6 might be a better bet for volume and tone than G6. That would be a bit hard for me, but might be great for someone coming from A6 electric lap or console.
Clearly, I need a second 8 string for "research."
Bogue |
|
