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Topic: String gauge advice? |
Tony Boadle
From:
Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland
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Posted 4 Jan 2017 2:57 am |
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Hi Team, and Happy New Year!
I'm currently playing an 8-string SX lap-steel and a home-build 8-string square-neck reso. I have both tunes to my favourite set-up, a slighlty modified E7th (I think?)....lo to hi: E/G#/B/C#E/G#B/E, and the gauges I used were 56/46/36/34/28/24/16/13.
I'm finding some seem a little slack on the lap-steel, but OK on the reso. Others vice versa. Before I start wasting too much time and money on various combinations, I'd love to know if there's a 'standard' set of gauges for my set-up?
I chose the gauges I have from the 'Hawaiian Steel Learning' website some time ago. I'll stick with them if they turn out to be the correct gauges....but I'd prefer a firmer feel when playing, and some of the heavier strings seem a bit 'soft' to me. Having said that, I don't want to go TOO heavy either as I find the really heavy gauges make too much sliding noise.
All advice appreciated as always, my nearest music shop is an hour and a half away, so I need to be sure before I travel! |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2017 6:33 am
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Do the resonator and lap steel have the same scale length? A lap steel typically has a shorter scale than a reso. Given the same gauge of string, the longer the scale, the tighter the feel.* For example, on my 22.5" scale Gibson lap steels, I use a .017 string for the high E. On my tricone, I use a .015 for the high E.
One solution is to purchase a variety of individual string gauges and experiment until you discover the gauges that feel most comfortable any particular instrument. I order individually gauged strings online from "Just Strings" in New Hampshire, USA. There is likely a similar string seller closer to you somewhere in the UK or at least on the Continent.
* To paraphrase Scotty on Star Trek: "Can't change the laws of physics, Captain." |
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Allan Haley
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2017 8:07 am
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You can't go wrong with John Ely's chart, I use it all the time.  |
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Tony Boadle
From:
Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland
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Posted 5 Jan 2017 9:44 am
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| Thanks team, Mr. Ely's chart it is then! |
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Allan Haley
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 5 Jan 2017 9:51 am
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Tony, I''m interested in your homemade 8-string. Have you posted pictures online? I've been thinking about building an 8-string steel.
Al |
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Tony Boadle
From:
Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland
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Posted 5 Jan 2017 10:10 am
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Hey Al, I'd be happy to mail you pics of my 8-string reso (and a few other previous projects!) plus answer any questions you may have..... I'm away from home until the weekend, I'll put some pics together when I get back.
If you let me know your email address in the meantime, I'll be in touch. Regards, Tony |
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