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Topic: Large Gauge String on 10th |
Tommy Gibbons
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Posted 23 Feb 2009 12:48 pm |
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I'm looking for a good bass sound on my E9 tuning. How would replacing the 10 th string (36W) with a 54W. Would that make too big of a difference? I wanted some direction before I tried this.
Thanks, Tommy |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 23 Feb 2009 12:52 pm
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Don't tune it to B  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2009 1:55 pm
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| I use a 38 but that's as heavy as I care to go. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 23 Feb 2009 2:30 pm
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| Ideally, strings should have close to the same tension and sound. If you want a little more bass, you can go up a few thou on the 10th, but not a lot without it having a negative effect on the sound. A good amp (set properly) or a stomp-box EQ will give you far more bass response, and it will do it evenly, so that one string doesn't stand out too much from the rest. |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 24 Feb 2009 3:13 am
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Also, if you use too heavy a string in the tenth slot it'll set in the nut roller too high and make it hard to hold a full chord on the lower strings when you're in the first two or three frets, maybe even the whole length of the guitar if it's too high at the changer end. If you want more bass down there you might try an EQ of some sort!.........JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Ulric Utsi-Åhlin
From:
Sweden
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Posted 24 Feb 2009 4:27 am
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| Greater range+Bigger Sound equals C 6th...McUtsi |
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Larry Behm
From:
Mt Angel, Or 97362
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Posted 24 Feb 2009 5:03 am
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I have used a .040 for 35 years, works great. I also eliminated my 9th string D and moved the B to that position and put a .052 on the bottom tuned to E. Now we are talking.
Call me and I will play it for you over the phone.
Larry Behm
503-722-7562 |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 24 Feb 2009 8:34 am
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HI LARRY,
Are you raising or lowering your low E string?
ROGER |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 24 Feb 2009 9:51 am
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| The standard string gauges are a compromise between tone and acceptable breakage. Since the 10th string rarely breaks, you can probably increase the gauge by 5 or 10% with no problem, which puts you in the 38-40 range, maybe even 42. You will have a stiffer raise, but get more tone, volume and sustain. Many gauged rollers will take those gauges okay without adding much string height. And many manufacturers don't use gauged rollers anyway, even on C6. And some players (not me) swear they don't need them. If it's a problem there are people who make custom gauged rollers. At some point (probably way before 54) the raises will get too stiff, and you will get unacceptable breakage, and might even damage the instrument. It's a trial and error thing. I don't think anyone can tell you what the highest practical gauge is for you and your instrument. |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 25 Feb 2009 7:46 am
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Larry, if I had a ten string I'd do exactly what you're doing on yours! Playing guitar for a long time before I took up steel got me to where I can't stand not having that low E string. That's why I have a 12 string....... I have a friend who plays with a rock band and when he wanted to buy a new steel I turned him on to Bobbe Seymore and I gave him a copedant without the D string and he ordered a new GFI S-10 with the low E string. He can now get the "power chord" on his steel and comp 'em when the guitar player's soloing, he's a very happy camper....JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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