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Topic: String Gauge for E Major |
Bob Borzelleri
From:
California, USA
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Posted 2 Jan 2008 11:08 pm |
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This lap steel stuff is pretty new to me. My wife bought me a Fouke Industrial (through Mark Van Allen)this Christmas and I am just getting used to it. So far, it is a bunch of fun.
It came tuned in open G. I decided to change it to open E. That's when I began wondering about string gauge.
The G set are:
.056, .046, .036, .028w, .018, and .016 (Duck's Deluxe Nickel Alloy Dobro).
Many of the string manufacturers I have checked out state that strings in these gauges are suitable for open D, open E and open G.
However, the string gauge charts I have seen for steels list open E as:
.054, .038, .030, .024, .020, .015 and that's what I just received (Jagwire E Major)and installed from the SGF store. My memory isn't good enough to recall whether I heard any significant difference between the two string sets and I have not taken the time to calculate differences in lbs. of tension for each set.
Still, it seems a bit odd that the respective "suggested" gauges for E are so different for the 4 and 5 strings. Anybody have any thoughts on this? |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Jan 2008 6:19 am
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I use a regular medium set from Webstrings for open-E, that's 13 17 25 36 46 56. Works fine for me, on a long scale 25" lap steel.
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 3 Jan 2008 6:21 am
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I'm no string expert but the E set from the chart that you show look a bit light on the fat strings to me. The sets that I use are actually closer to the G set.
I currently have a set of Joe Morrell 14-18-22-34-46-58 on my 22.5" scale lap steel. I also use GHS that have the same gage and I think it's just right for E tuning. I've used thinner gage and thought the tone was too thin. These sets also have a plain #3 string which I like. These sets also have nice string-to-string balance on my guitar.
On my acoustic 25" scale lap steel I have a set of D'Addario medium Flat Tops 13-17-26-35-45-56 which are OK but next time I'm goint to try the next heavier set, 16-19-28-36-44-56.
Hope this helps and congrat's on the new Fouke!
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Loren Claypool
From:
Mequon, WI
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Posted 3 Jan 2008 7:22 pm
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On my Fender Champ in E I'm using .013 .017 .024 .032 .042 .056.
On my Industrial Guitars Indy Rail in E I'm using .014 .018 .026 .036. .046 .058.
On my Magnatone Amerloha in E7 I'm using .016 .018 .028 .036 .046 .056.
For what it's worth -
On my Fender Champ in C6 I'm using .014 .017 .020 .026 .032 .038.
On my Industrial Guitars Indy Rail in E6 I'm using .014 .016 .018 .026 .036 .046.
And finally, on my Industrial Guitars Baritone in B I'm using .014 .018 .026 .044 .056 .068.
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Loren Claypool
genre-indifferent instrumental guitar music
www.lorenclaypool.com
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Bob Borzelleri
From:
California, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2008 7:08 am
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| Thanks to all who have replied. My guess is that I will return to the more standard gauges when this "E Major" set runs it's course. |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 4 Jan 2008 11:48 am
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Hi Bob,
I use and teach the E major tuning on both
acoustic and Lap Steel.
I have arrangements if you and others are
interested ... you can email me for info
roythomson@eastlink.ca
Here is a link to ... Cold Cold Heart
as done on acoustic but like I said
it sounds great on Lap Steel also with
this set up.
http://www.freefilehosting.net/download/3a2d2
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2008 1:29 pm Where'd it come from?
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| Doug, is there another site where can that particular chart be had? |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 7 Jan 2008 9:33 am
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| Also Doug, what scale is that chart for? |
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Peter Brander
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2008 5:16 pm
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| Greg Gefell wrote: |
| Also Doug, what scale is that chart for? |
Not Doug, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Amazingly this will work for any scale!
The point is that you can pick a tuning you would like to use and then design the string set to allow you to use that tuning.
Peter |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 9 Jan 2008 6:59 pm Don't forget the basics................
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JERRY BYRD would routinely play in three or four different tunings during a single stage show. I think the important factor not to lose sight of, rather than actual gages..........is the QUALITY of the strings purchased.
Lousy or cheap strings will help you sound junky...regardless of what gage they are.
Get good strings, take care of them and learn to play them well.
Good Luck! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 9 Jan 2008 10:52 pm
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The chart I posted above is a spreadsheet I put together on my computer. I got the information from John Ely's site: http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/tunings/gauges.html
I never paid any attention to scale length when selecting string gauges. I just follow the chart.
But here is what John Ely has to say about scale length and string gauges:
"Scale length can be a factor when selecting gauges. If you use identical string gauges on both a short scale guitar (22-22.5 inches from the bridge to the nut) and a long scale guitar (24-24.5 inches), the string tension on the long scale instrument will be noticeably greater. ...for Middle C, a .017 gauge string is normal. On a short scale instrument, string tension is lower so you might consider using an .018 gauge string. Some instruments have a "super long scale", 26 inches and beyond. For these instruments you probably will need to use the smallest of the recommended gauges; string tension will be significantly greater on these guitars."
Like Peter said above, pick your tuning, and buy your strings individually, whatever gauges you need. If you like the chart above, print it out. It is made up of two images.
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Greg Gefell
From:
Upstate NY
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Posted 10 Jan 2008 6:40 am
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| Ray - can you name names? What brand(s) of strings would you recommend for longevity of tone, and stage abuse tolerance? Thanks |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 10 Jan 2008 8:56 am Good question.........
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Greg:
For my Emmons, I've always stuck with the standard Emmons string sets.
It does me well; they've lasted a long time; stay in tune; and minimal breakage.
For my host of Rick g'tars.....I have here on my desk more than $127.00 worth of 'special order' GIBSON Strings, Nickel Plated Steel for "ELECTRIC GUITAR".
JERRY BYRD used to use that set-up, so I started it years ago and have been very satisfied with the TONE and serviceability of the strings. They stay CLEAN, don't tarnish, and although a little saggy, it allows you to do miraculous things with the bar.
It's not like playing with fence wire.
Just my opinion........so don't give to much credence to it. Thanks for asking. It made me feel realy impotent! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 10 Jan 2008 11:11 am
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For lap steel guitar you will probably need to buy "single" strings gauged. It will be hard to find a string Set for your favorite tuning. Any good music store should stock single strings. My local music store carries GHS singles, and I've been using GHS for my lap steels for many years. I think any major brand of string would be fine. IMHO there isn't much difference between the major brands. They're all good. Most of the lesser known string brands are manufactured by one of the larger companies and packaged (branded) for the smaller companies.
_________________
My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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