The Steel Guitar Forum

I have been using many different sets of string gauge for open G.I find the GHS strings to be the best,but find their set that starts with to be too stiff for short scale .
Any and all suggestions welcome.

I'm going to say, which version of "open G" and what scale length of guitar? Which seems like information that would be useful. But I'm also going to say that I always go back to a rule of thumb when I pick strings, and that's 25 lbs to 30 lbs tension for each string tuned to the pitch at the scale length. I find that's a ballpark that gives me a good feel under a bar. Lots of string tension calculators out there where you can plug in your numbers and get some ideas. I play a version of one Open G that is EGDGBD low to high and I seem to usually put on a set of light acoustic strings on a Dobro (25" scale) and substitute a heavier string for high D, maybe .015, and last time I restrung my National Dynamic 23" scale I went up a set and started out with mediums and used a .017 - .056 kind of set. It's a little light on the bottom end.

My guitar is an SX 22 3/4 scale GBDGBD Using GHS 58-16, but find them a little heavy.
Thanks for your imput.
Carl

Hi Carl,

Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe has a series on YouTube covering lap steel basics. Megan plays a Rickenbacker B6 in GBDGBD tuning. The B6 has a 22 ½ inch scale. While she claims not to be too picky about strings she has tried out a number different brands, eventually settling on Ernie Ball Pedal Steel strings. She says she uses a thicker gauge, usually 13s or 14s. She doesn’t give any more information than that. (Except to say that she doesn’t like the sound of new strings so she leaves the same ones on for years.) I checked out Long & McQuade in Canada. They carry three different EB Pedal Steel sets. As an example, the EB Pedal Steel C6 set has 10 strings ranging from 12 to 66. Best of luck with this!

Megan discusses strings at about the 1:48 point in the following video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olg70f9HibQ&t=117s

Carl McLaughlin wrote:My guitar is an SX 22 3/4 scale GBDGBD Using GHS 58-16, but find them a little heavy.
Thanks for your imput.
Carl

Those strings are intended for use on a long scale Dobro and will be a bit looser on your short scale SX. But string feel is personal preference, so lighten up the guages if you don't like them.

Thanks to everyone for your imputs.

These are the GHS gauges I’ve used for several years. The left side is for pedal steel—-mostly used on a Sho~Bud Professional used when I was playing Cajun Music. There were “A & B “ pedals being used. The right side is for “Dobro”

Hope it helps you....

I've left my 6 string Supro in Open G (GBDGBD) for many years.

23.5" scale. Standard dobro set in nickel, 16-56. If anything, a guitar with a scale that is 3/4" shorter is going to feel a little more slack with these strings than is the case on my Supro.

Carl,
You might check out a set of GHS Open E strings. Slightly thinner than what your using. I use these strings for open E and open G, 22-1/2" scale
Here's a link:

https://www.ghsstrings.com/products/114 ... -lap-steel

Thanks again to all suggestions.
Carl

Carl - Is the SX electric or acoustic, a round neck or square neck, and how do you play it - lap or fretted?

Those factors make a HUGE difference in string gage and type. Just saying "GHS" also doesn't mean much as far as strings go as they make sets with several different ore and wrap types that affect the tension.

The primary differences are in the roundwound strings. Plain steel strings differ mainly in the type of twist lock at the ball end, unless they are a specially treated types.

There are also VERY few actual string makers, and even fewer that "draw" their own wire from raw metal rods and then handle the plating in-house. All small makers buy their wire from larger makers - a few having it made to certain specs, but most picking from stock "menus". A very few invest in the equipment needed to consistently wrap wire around a core, install ball ends, and maintain humidity controlled environments!

If you do some searching you can find a huge D'Addario string tension spreadsheet (also ones froma few other full-scale string manufacturers)that lists the tension for *most* of the strings they make - each individual gage at one or two scale lengths.

And there are string types listed that you NEVER see in stores or online that are strictly private-label types. And NO company's tension chart factors in TOTAL string length - from ball end to tuning peg. That's what determines the actual tension, but string "afterlength" at the headstock and tailpiece vary so much they just use scale length as a comparative reference.

The single largest string maker in the Western World is Mapes Piano Wire Company. If you use a "normal" type of string you can get tension info from other companies - then go on the Mapes site and buy as few or as many sets assembled in the individual gages you want, and cheaper than you'll find the *exact* same strings in "stock" gages by a "name brand" (but actually made and packaged by Mapes) on a store shelf!

You'll find a ton of general info about strings, plus pictures of some of the manufacturing process, raw stock etc on the Mapes site. It's worth poking around:



https://www.mapesstrings.com

Jim, you have got it round the wrong way, It IS only Scale length that determines string tension.
Afterlength does have an effect on the ability to deflect the string (more length makes it easier to bend) but does not change the actual string tension

My guitar is a SX 22 3/4 scale solid body electric, I just installed Planet waves locking tuners that automatically cut the string ends 18:1 ratio/Nice upgrade.Makes installing strings a breeze.Ihave changed my mind the addarios are not so great