C6 gauges for old Martin acoustic Hawaiian?

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

Moderator: Brad Bechtel

Post Reply
Frank Nims
Posts: 21
Joined: 25 Sep 2011 7:53 pm
Location: Illinois, USA

C6 gauges for old Martin acoustic Hawaiian?

Post by Frank Nims »

What string gauges would you recommend for a Martin 0-18KH? I'd like to try it in C6th.
Serial number is 35689, by the way. Apparently that means 1927?
User avatar
Loren Tilley
Posts: 106
Joined: 16 Jun 2015 11:00 pm
Location: Maui, Hawaii

Post by Loren Tilley »

I don’t have a great answer, but I have one of those too and I would be interested in recommendations. I have strings on it now that where intended to be for A high bass, but it was bellying near the bridge so I’ve tuned it to regular g dobro tuning. I would say a lighter gauge than regular c6 strings.
Rickenbacher B-6
Jeff Highland
Posts: 376
Joined: 9 Jul 2019 7:33 am
Location: New South Wales, Australia

Post by Jeff Highland »

I would look at a set going from 12 to 42
Duesenberg Fairytale
1949 Supro Supreme
1950 National New Yorker
2008 Highland Baritone Weissenborn
2020 Highland New Yorker.
2020 Highland Mohan Veena
2021 Highland Weissencone
User avatar
Andy Volk
Posts: 10251
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Boston, MA
Contact:

Post by Andy Volk »

Luthier Bill Asher String Gauge Advice for C6th Tuning on Weissenborn Guitars:


For new Master builds C6
C E G A C E
.039, .032, .026, .022, .018, .013

For vintage acoustic Weissenborn type guitars use this lighter adjusted set.
C E G A C E
.036, .029, .024, .019, .016, .011

*NOTE always use a wound third string for steel guitar sets.
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
Glenn Wilde
Posts: 816
Joined: 4 Oct 2019 7:47 am
Location: California, USA

Post by Glenn Wilde »

Can i just say, please be careful with the tension. When in doubt, go lighter or tune down a bit.
Post Reply