string guage question

Ben Hoare · Post by **Ben Hoare** » 22 Dec 2008 2:53 pm

Hey guys I play dobro at the moment with dobro or bluegrass tuning,gbdgbd.And want to tune one up lower but with the same configuration eg. d f# a d f# a can anyone tell me what is the best guage strings to use for this set up please.Merry Christmas to all.
Ben

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 22 Dec 2008 3:34 pm

You can take a standard G Dobro set (.056w, .045w, .035w, .026w, .018, .016) and move the strings up one, adding a .059w for the sixth (.059w, .056w, .045w, .035w, .026w, .018).

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 22 Dec 2008 4:03 pm

If the .069 will fit in your tailpiece. It'll be riding mighty high in that bridge insert

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Ben Hoare · Post by **Ben Hoare** » 22 Dec 2008 4:29 pm

Thanks Lynn have you tried this it wont put to much pressure on the neck???

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 23 Dec 2008 10:56 am

I haven't tried it, but the string tensions are all fairly close to the G set in G tuning. If you are playing a square neck it should handle a pretty wide range of tensions anyway, but you don't want to increase the load on the cone too much or it will impact the sound.

You may also want to try a plain string on the second; if you do, it will need to be a smaller gauge--perhaps a .020 or .022.

Howard makes a good point: I meant to type .059, not .069. And you still may need to touch up the slots on your nut and bridge.