String size

Larry Ravlin · Post by **Larry Ravlin** » 8 Jun 2017 5:16 pm

My steel is tuned F#, D#, G#, E, B, G#, F#, E, D, B.
My strings .013,.015,.012,.014,.017,.020,.025,.030,.034,.036.

I'm thinking some are not correct, I'm thinking I should have.
.013,.015,.012,.014,.018,.022w,.026,.030,.034,.038

Yes, No? You have to remember I am new at this.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 8 Jun 2017 5:24 pm

What steel do you have? The gauges you have chosen are very common for many 10 string pedal steels with the E9th tuning. Some people prefer an .011 at the 3rd position, but I like a .012 same as your listing.

Larry Ravlin · Post by **Larry Ravlin** » 8 Jun 2017 5:51 pm

I have a Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 8 Jun 2017 6:07 pm

Both of those are fine. I prefer the 6th wound, but it's down to taste.
The 10s on the 3rd string are fine; they were the standard for decades. They'll need a slightly longer pull than the 12, and the 10 has more 'bite', but the 12 has more 'beef.'

Regarding the 6th, I recommend trying both.
Plain-doesn't need as long a pedal and lever throw, is more subject to cabinet drop, sounds different.
Wound-needs much more pedal and lever travel (VERY long throw if you're gonna drop it to F#), less subject to cabinet drop, sounds different.

If you shop around the different brands of pedal steel sets, you'll find a lot of variations on the theme

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 8 Jun 2017 6:08 pm

I believe that is the set that Sho-Bud wrangler Ricky Davis uses, so looks like you should be good to go. Good luck with your steel guitar experience.

Larry Ravlin · Post by **Larry Ravlin** » 8 Jun 2017 6:12 pm

I'm already having a good time, having a musical background is going to help me immeasurably

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 8 Jun 2017 6:31 pm

The .0355 seems strange for the 10th string. I never heard of a 35 1/2 string gauge. I would prefer a .038. Also I use a .0115 3rd string. Used .010 back 40 years ago.
Jerry

Larry Ravlin · Post by **Larry Ravlin** » 8 Jun 2017 7:53 pm

Depends on where you measure it, I got readings all down the string from .0355 to .0370 near the tuners but that was right at the nut, I guess a happy medium would be .0360. I don't know what the tolerance is for the strings but there's a difference up and down the strings, I don't believe that is going to effect my playing (ha, ha) but this is not aerospace gentlemen, a 1/2 a tenth here and there is going to be of no consequence at this stage of the game. When they start getting hard to tune I'll get a new set. Thanks for all the info guys.

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 9 Jun 2017 3:59 am

Larry..One particular brand that is available in the gauges listed second are the Ernie Ball E-9 sets with the one exception of a .010 for the third which can be easily substituted with a .012.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 11 Jun 2017 9:45 am

I got readings all down the string from .0355 to .0370 near the tuners

Measuring string that have been tuned to pitch - especially if they have been on a while - is never accurate. Wound string are often up to .002 off (on the low side).

You can find recommended gages on the D'Addario and Ernie Ball sites. Those work for any brand of strings. D'Addario even has a far more accurate string "determinator" where you plug in both notes and scale length. Many of the charts are based on 25.5" or 24.75:" scales and most modern steels are shorter.

But as noted above gage is not etched in stone. Use those resources as a guide only and use whatever feels/sounds best.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 12 Jun 2017 8:23 am

You might find this analysis useful: https://b0b.com/wp/?page_id=259

Ray Thomas · Post by **Ray Thomas** » 12 Jun 2017 4:40 pm

Larry, I sell Livesteel strings, can furnish you either of what you listed, email rayssteel@gmail.com will help if I can. Bobs post above is good

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 13 Jun 2017 6:25 am

b0b's analysis is SPOT ON!!
I designed my gauges in my E9 set from Jagwire to specialize for the "short" scale pedal steel; which is a Sho~bud and many other pedal steels being made. The standard set everyone got used to was designed for the "Long" scale Emmons pedal steel and that's a big difference between a 24" sho~bud scale and a 24 1/4" Emmons or 24 1/2" and longer some other pedal steels.
Ricky

Don Kuhn · Post by **Don Kuhn** » 13 Jun 2017 5:17 pm

Captain Bob that was some good information thanks for the info

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » 21 Jun 2017 8:09 am

Interesting topic. I just recently bought a GFI student model and it's string gauges are just a bit different from the set I can get locally. Local music store sells Ernie Ball Set. Only difference is in two strings. my guitar has a 12 on the highest string, theirs has a 13, and their set uses a 10 instead of an 11...would I be o.k. with this set? I just like being able to buy strings locally. I guess I could just buy the set and a couple of single strings for the 11 and 12...I think their singles are also Ernie Ball.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Jun 2017 3:11 pm

would I be o.k. with this set?

As long as the changes work it makes absolutely no difference - many players use a couple thousandth different in either direction depending on the tone and feel they want.

If the changes reach the proper notes and the sound is OK don't worry about it - but you can always try the other gages you found. If you change gages you will have to adjust the stops slightly, though.

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