The Steel Guitar Forum

I just added a whole-tone lower to my 5th string, which means the poor string is gonna have twice as much work to do. I'm wondering what gauge you players who have this change use? Thanks.

Dave: I had that change for about one year. I found that I didn't use it much. "Not trying to talk you out of it". I did not change guage on that string at all and I had no excessive breakage, and it did return to pitch with no problem. JMO

Deleted for double post.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jim Bob Sedgwick on 26 January 2003 at 09:52 PM.]</p></FONT>

Most folks use a 017 -- some use 018
Those gauges lower a whole tone or more with no problem on most guitars. A lot of folks have the B to A on the 'Franklin pedal' with G# to F# on 6 and B to A on 10. I don't know of anyone having to change string gauge to get that change.

Are you having problems getting it to lower all the way?

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Thanks for the responses. I'm using my normal 018 and it lowers all the way. I guess I'll find out if I need to go down to a 017. I was inspired by watching Tommy White use this change on his video with Lloyd Green.