Hi all, Me again ( i know i know)
Anyway im changing out the tuners on my Valco Airline 1963 lap steel, and so with that come a string change.
I play in OPen D
Currently i use .015 .018 .028 .038 .48 .58 , gauge strings
But ive never been really happy with the .015 , and im thinking about changing that to match the 2nd string at .018 gauge.
My question is, am i risking some damage here increasing th string gauge like that? and what're your thoughts on beefing up the 1st string a bit?
String gauge question for a vintage lap
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- Steve Hudson
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Those are the gauges I use which happen to be the gauges Asher uses on their house brand.
I like them a lot.
You don't say what displeases you about that high D gauge.
I find it to have a very full tone however I am usually picking somewhere around the 24th fret.
I never go near the pickup, always a bit down the neck because that is where I get the sound I like.
I am not a 'twangy' type of guy. Just a nice mellow tone and I am happy.
Then again I am certainly no expert player so there's always that........
I like them a lot.
You don't say what displeases you about that high D gauge.
I find it to have a very full tone however I am usually picking somewhere around the 24th fret.
I never go near the pickup, always a bit down the neck because that is where I get the sound I like.
I am not a 'twangy' type of guy. Just a nice mellow tone and I am happy.
Then again I am certainly no expert player so there's always that........
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying.
- Steve Hudson
- Posts: 53
- Joined: 29 Jun 2018 7:46 am
- Location: weymouth Massachusetts, USA
yeah i primarily use the asher house as well, just ordered some more as i realized i was out, whoops, lol but sometimes if im playing single notes i find the high d gets lost very easily , , it loses sustain and doesn't have the depth id like it to. chances are im still going to use, it, id like to try to the .018 twice, but im not sur if im just chasing a ghost and ill lose out putting on the double .018's or if i risk damage even. I am obviously nitpicking as well. as im like 99% satisficed with the .015 lol
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I too play open D on a short scale. I’ve found .016 to be best on the high D and .060 to be best on the low D. .018 on the high A. The remaining 3 strings are less critical as long as within reason.
Current Tunings:
6 String | D – D A D F# A D
7 String | D/f – f D A D F# A D
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database
6 String | D – D A D F# A D
7 String | D/f – f D A D F# A D
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database