String Gauge question...

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I posed a question in the '5th string' thread, but I fear it might get missed...

The subject reminded me that my old ZBs came with heavier bottom strings on E9 than seems to be common today (the 10th was an".040). I bought a used Sho-Bud and, without knowing what I was doing, put some of the ZB strings on it. Needless to say, that threw everything out of kilter, and I had to research the proper gauges for my Pro III and re-string it with the lighter strings.

My question is: How much heavier could I make the strings on my LeGrande III without messing things up? I can't help wondering what it might do for the tone, even though I imagine that the optimum gauges are the recommended ones.

Any ideas?

RR

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

only idea I can come up with Roger is send the L/G 3 over here to me and I will look after it for you,you cannot possibly need it,you must have more than enough guitars already, and I have this space available in the corner of the front room...........;

)

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Roger with any pedal steel; if you put a different guage on a given finger than what guages has already been on there and tuned with the right distance and leverage to pull that string> you will have to re-tweek the nylon tuner or distance the new guage needs to pull.
I used to put a .040 on my 10th string on my Legrand and loved it.
The ZB and Shobuds have a shorter scale than a Emmons; as per why the different guaging that was suggested.
You will have to re-tweek some of the leverage; but here's what I used to put on my Emmons> High to low.
.012;.015;.011.5;.015;.018;.022p;.026w;.032;.036;.040
...with a heavier guage on a pedal or knee lever that was set up for a lighter guage...All you need to do is make it stop sooner on the pedal stop or knee stop screw....as a heavier guage will pull quicker to pitch than the lighter guage for the same note.
Ricky

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Ricky

I was aware, of course, that I'd have to re-calibrate the pulls - I just wondered if such a change (.038 up to .040) would be too much for the mechanism to deal with.

It's an interesting concept, and I may try it to see if there are any benefits. I do recall finding the Sho-Bud string gauges feeling a bit light when I switched from the ZB guitar to the Pro-III, but it was a totally different instrument and some unfamiliarity was inevitable. This was way back in the early-'80s, and, being in England at the time, it wasn't easy to find ANY steels, let alone have the chance to make side-by-side comparisons.

I'm currently using .012, .015, .011.5, .014, .018, .22p, .026, .030, .034, .038.

It might be fun to beef-up those lower three strings!

Thanks for your input.

John Davis,

Thanks for the kind offer - but, with transatlantic shipping being the hazardous business it is, I'd be uneasy sending to you. Have you any OTHER ideas?

Roger R.

[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 02 April 2004 at 09:20 AM.]

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

PS, Ricky

I love my Emmons, but I sure do miss those Sho-Bud 'swallow tail' string attachments on the changer. I wish all guitars had that (Zum are similar) - it's quicker, and far more secure. Those pins always seem so delicate, even though I've never broken one....

I also miss that lovely greenish-blue 'birds-eye' on my old 'Bud....

Roger

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