String gauges and tuning
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:41 pm
So I recently wanted to try an experiment with my Lowden. I find myself capoing up a lot, whether in standard, DADGAD, or other tunings. This is just to get my voice closer to its sweet spot.
So using the string tension calculator at http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tensiontool.php , I figured that to be able to tune up one whole step from what I have been doing with medium strings. (.013-.056) I could use a set of "custom lights" (.011-.052). The calculator told me that the total tension was right about 183lbs for each set, standard tuning E-E with mediums and standard tuning D-D with the custom lights. A .010-.048 set of extra lights would be about 165lbs total according to that calculator.
The action looks okay, but...boy, those strings feel tight. Is that that calculator wrong? Is there a rule of thumb for this kind of thing, or a better calculator, or is my "feels right on the edge of breaking as I tune it" feeling just likely to be off in this case?
I am loving reading through old posts here, by the way. So much to learn!
So using the string tension calculator at http://chordgen.rattree.co.uk/tensiontool.php , I figured that to be able to tune up one whole step from what I have been doing with medium strings. (.013-.056) I could use a set of "custom lights" (.011-.052). The calculator told me that the total tension was right about 183lbs for each set, standard tuning E-E with mediums and standard tuning D-D with the custom lights. A .010-.048 set of extra lights would be about 165lbs total according to that calculator.
The action looks okay, but...boy, those strings feel tight. Is that that calculator wrong? Is there a rule of thumb for this kind of thing, or a better calculator, or is my "feels right on the edge of breaking as I tune it" feeling just likely to be off in this case?
I am loving reading through old posts here, by the way. So much to learn!