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Topic: Resonator string tension calculator? |
Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 21 Aug 2008 12:14 pm |
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I've seen a few string tension calculators online but have been very confused by them. One reported that 2 neighboring strings a whole step apart (with standard appropriate gauges)had markedly different tensions. For example string one is a high G# .011 and string 2 is F# .013. It reported that the G# had 28 lbs tension and the F# only 8. 
Is there a rule of thumb for how much average tension a string should have on it when it is the appropriate gauge for an appropriate pitch for the given scale of the instrument?
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 21 Aug 2008 12:41 pm
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If you tune the note to the string gauge using the chart, wouldn't the tension be correct? For example .014 is high E.
ron |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 21 Aug 2008 12:46 pm
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Ron - I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean. Is there a chart somewhere with that info for a standard reso?
E = .014
F = ?
F# = ?
I'd like to see that spelled out for the entire range of possible tones.
Like this:
http://www.b0b.com/infoedu/gauges.htm
but for an acoustic reso 25 1/2 inch scale - not a 24 inch scale pedal steel.
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Aug 2008 1:08 pm
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D'Addario has a string tension chart that will allow you to compute tensions for the strings they carry for any scale length.
There is also the John Ely chart, but it is not specific to resonator guitars.
You could come close to constructing such a chart by compiling a list of string gauges used in standard sets. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Aug 2008 2:41 pm
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Is there a specific reason why you're wondering about string tension? As long as you use the appropriate string gauges for the tuning you're using, you shouldn't have any problem.
For example, the ten string E9 tuning you've mentioned in a previous discussion would work well with a standard set of E9 pedal steel strings as far as I can tell.
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Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Aug 2008 4:07 pm
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This is not particularly scientific, but since I was changing strings anyway I tried to judge the least usable tension (lowest note) that worked on each string. For example, the .056w 6th string doesn't really work--for me--tuned below a D.
This gives me a guess at the lower bound for tension at 22 lbs for a 25" scale.
For the upper bound I plugged in the largest gauge strings I have heard about being used, and I came up with 45 lbs for a 25" scale.
The average tension on my G-tuned dobro is 35 lbs, but it ranges from 28.32 up to 41.18 lbs. |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 22 Aug 2008 5:33 am
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Thanks Lynn, I'll check out those links.
Brad - I am creating a tuning for reso that doesn't come pre packaged and its not standard. (10 string E6) That's why I need to either figure out for myself or look at a chart as to what would be the best gauge to use for each string.
So far I've been looking at a standard pre packaged standard G tuning set and having to extrapolate from those what all the notes higher, lower, and in-between might be for the E6.
The chart b0b has is great for pedal steel but the gauges don't directly translate to a longer scale acoustic reso.
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Gary C. Dygert
From:
Frankfort, NY, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2008 5:51 am
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Here's what I use on reso for my E6:
E .016
B .018
G# .024
E .030
C# .040
B .042
All but the high E & B can vary a little. You could adapt this for 10 strings. |
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Gary C. Dygert
From:
Frankfort, NY, USA
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Posted 22 Aug 2008 5:56 am
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| BTW, I looked all over the Internet for string tension charts and ended up with D'Addario's. This E6 has about the same tension as standard bluegrass G, if I figured it right. |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 22 Aug 2008 5:58 am
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Thanks Gary, that fills in most of what I need. I'll check out the D'Addario chart also.
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Hugh Crumley
From:
North Carolina, USA
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