The Steel Guitar Forum

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?

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........

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

My immediate thought is to try .016 for that first string. That might just get you that elusive 1%.

Is your Airline one of those 21" scale guitars? If so, I would consider a .015" string for a D on the light side. For example, my lap steels are all 22.5" scale instruments, and I normally use a .017" for a high E. For a D, I'd likely use a .018" or .019".

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.