String advice for Emmons push/pull

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

I play an Emmons D10, push/pull and I use Jagwire nickel strings. I've been stringing the C6th neck for a G on top, but for months I've been tuning the G down to the D on top and disconnecting the G change (pedal 5) on the first string. I did this mainly to see if I like a D better than a G on top. I do like the D better and I'd like to reconnect the first string change D to D# (pedal 8 ).

My question to all you push/pull players is this: What string gauge do you use for the 1st string D, considering the 8th pedal pull to D#? I'm especially interested if you play nickel wound Jagwire strings on the C6th.

My current Jagwire nickel-wound C6th gauges are: .012, .014, .017, .020, .024w, .030w, .036w, .042w, .054w, .070w

Danny Hullihen: If you have advice concerning this gauge change please let me know. I'm ready to order some Jagwire strings incorporating the change.

Thanks in advance for all your advice Very Happy

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

Still seeking string gauge advice. .015, .016, .017, ?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Larry Behm · From: Mt Angel, Or 97362

I use a .016.

Larry Behm

Hook Moore · From: South Charleston,West Virginia

I use a .015.
Hook

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Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Glenn
I use a .017 string. I just got a Star guitar and Mark Giles puts a .015 there, which seems a little bit light to me.

robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

.O16 on both Push Pull and LeGrande

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

In the Buddy Emmons S.I.T. nickel wound set for C6th, he uses a 17 gauge.

Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

Glenn, if you're tuning your first string to a D try a .015 first. This is pretty much the "standard" for most players with this tuning, but not necessarily the rule. You can go a bit heavier on that string if you want to. There are many variations out there as you can see.

As an example, we have a few artists/endorsers that use a .058 and .079 on the nineth and tenth strings. Talk about big and fat! However, I wouldn't recommend this as some changes will have to be made to your guitar to accomodate these huge strings.

Hope this helps.

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

Thanks to each of you for the helpful responses. My big concern is the balance (pedal travel, etc.) between the D to D# pull on string one, and the C to A push on string eight.

Herb, when you say the .015 seems a bit light, are you refering to the tone of the string or the balance among strings 1, 7,9, and 10 when engaging pedal eight? BTW: Conratulations for acquiring your Star PSG. I'll bet you're the envy on your block. Cool

Thanks again, y'all! Smile

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Glenn
I don't raise s.1 with p.8. I just think the tension is too light and the tone not meaty enough with a .015. Just my preference, is all.

Yes, the Star is a nice guitar. Good road axe that fits my body well. I got a mica finish for road use.
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robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

The string gauge on the high D, whether .015, .016 or .017, won’t affect the pedal travel or the balance between the 1st string raise and 10th string lower that much. What is important is for all the raises and lowers on the 8th pedal to reach their stops simultaneously. Also, the stop on the pedal should hit the body of the guitar at the same time (or a fraction of a fraction later) that the raises and lowers hit their stops. I wouldn’t use a .015. After reading this post, I’m going to try a .017. (from a .016) The D to D# raise really opens up the tuning.

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

Herb, thanks for your follow-up. Because of your insight, I won't be using a .015. Since I use a .070 on string 10, it seems logical to use a .017 on string 1. That would give me a more resonant tone than a lesser string gauge.

Robert, good info on the "balancing act". My guitar has been set-up and adjusted by ace Push/Pull tech, Bobby Bowman. I don't possess the mechanical experience to fully understand all the nuances of his technique. Suffice that a minimum of compensating springs are used on the push and pull rods. Lock collars are fine tuned to give simultaneous and proper pitch change to two or more strings on the same pedal.

On my guitar, since the bell crank stop and the positive body stop are already synchronized with the correct pitch change on strings 10, 9, and 7, I'll just need to synchronize the half-step change on string one. On your push/pull, does the bell crank on string one have a compensating spring on the pull rod? If so, is it a long or short one?

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

Glenn, This change takes a compression spring. Tomorrow, I will e-mail you spring length and installation instuctions (very easy to install) If you want to e-mail me your shipping address, I'll send you a factory spring on Monday. I recently transcribed a Joe Pass instuctional DVD that taught some of his I-IV-II-V progressions. I will try to include some of these turnarounds in my e-mail as they use the first string D & D# a lot. They are always very useful for bringing on the singer.

Glenn Suchan · From: Austin, Texas

Robert,

THANK-YOU for the thoughtful and generous offer! Very Happy

E-mail sent.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

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