Balancing string tensions across different guitars

C

CaptainWhizz

New member
I started wondering recently, is it worth trying to balance string tensions across my guitars, accounting for different scale lengths and different tunings? Previously I had gone the other way, trying to keep my Les Pauls “spongier” and my Strats “snappier” in the same tuning.

Does anyone else do this? Either ballpark it with standard gauge packs, or use custom sets? Or not bother?
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

I do the opposite of balancing string tension. For 25.5 scale length I like light/heavy sets (10 - 52) and 24.75 scale length I like medium (11 - 49).

That way the unwound strings play and bend more or less the same way for all guitars (it feels a little more controlled on the Gibson scale stuff with the 11s), and since I seem to strum harder on the Fender scale necks when playing rhythm the heavier wound strings just feel better to me.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

Cheers Clint. I noticed you were playing in the same tuning on the same scale length with different gauges, how do you find changing between the two?

GuitarStv, that’s interesting, how did you get to that?

My current system is to increase the gauge as I drop the tunings, keep the same gauge for the same tuning on Gibson and Fender scale lengths.

3 Strats:
E - 9s
D# - 10s
D - 11s

2 Les Pauls:
D# - 10s
D - Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom
 
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Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

i used to have custom sets made and use different sets on different guitars. it was great but also a pita. i use dr pure blues 11-50 on everything now and am quite happy. everything is std tuning but i switch between fender and gibson scale instruments, even one prs, without really thinkin about it
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

If you want to keep the same tension between tunings, you're overcompensating. Each half step change equals a half gauge change. Use stingtensionpro.com to see.

Same scale and tuning but different gauge works great for me. It's all about how much meat or tension you want in the set.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

I don't bother with it. I use the same set of .010-0.046 on all of my axes. I guess somewhere along the line muscle memory took over and now I don't notice when I pick up one of my guitars with a different scale length.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

After years of putting together custom sets and ultimately deciding it's too much trouble, I use 10-52 on my PRS SE (25") and Schecter (25.5") 6 strings, and 10-52 plus a 62 on my Ibanez RG7 (standard 25.5" scale). The PRS stays in standard tuning, the Schecter is in standard or CGDGBE, and the 7 string is either standard or drop A.

My 8 string is another story. It came with the D'Addario 10-74 set, which I don't really like. My 8 is a 27" scale, so the top 6 strings are too heavy, and the 74 is too light. D'Addario also makes a 9-80 set, which is like a balanced 9 set, plus a 60 and 80 for the low B & F#. As is, the plain strings sound good but are hard to bend, and the wound strings sound like a bass. Of course, the 9-80 is only available as NYXL, so I'm paying like $18 a set if I go that way.

Be careful going down this path... like Jeremy said, it's a total pain.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

i lied... i have a baritone guitar that i use different strings, 14-68, which is okish but id like a heavier low string
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

SAguitar said:
I don't bother with it. I use the same set of .010-0.046 on all of my axes. I guess somewhere along the line muscle memory took over and now I don't notice when I pick up one of my guitars with a different scale length.
Click to expand...

For years I always used 10’s on shorter scale and 9’s on longer scale. Just recently I put a set of 10’s on a 25 1/2 scale. At first I could really tell a difference. But it didn’t take long for it to feel as normal as the shorter scale guitars.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

I use custom packs on alternate tunings guitars -there is tremendous benefit.

But on my standard 10 or 11 guitars ....no.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

All of my guitars are in E standard, always.
9-42 with a 25.5" scale, 10-46 with a 24.75" scale (but might eventually switch this to 9s, too).
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

I use different scale guitars for different kinds of music. I even have near identical guitars with different electronics and setups for different styles of music. Sometimes I even switch up sets of strings on the same guitar to play different music, so making tension the same across everything wouldn’t help for me.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

Hmm, definitely a lot to ponder.
I like the idea of, for example, my Strats in different tunings having the same tension. Given that "balanced tension" packs are freely available, this also seems like something I should try out. However, I'd have to buy the strings separately to make the sets for the guitar tuned to D#, which might be hassle.

On the other hand, am I a good enough guitarist to notice? Probably not.

You've given me a lot to think about, thank you.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

CaptainWhizz said:
GuitarStv, that’s interesting, how did you get to that?
Click to expand...

The original plan was to use a regular set of 10s on the Fender scale stuff, but I wasn't paying attention and bought the wrong set . . . then found out that I preferred it. :P



You get used to different string guages pretty quickly (only thing I couldn't get used to was a wound G string on electric . . . I'm not man enough to enjoy bending that bridge cable bastard. I tend to use standard tuning 99% of the time though, if you have radically different tunings on your guitars I could maybe see the tensions making more difference.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

If you’re gonna go down this path, realize that it’s more of a case by case basis. The tension on my 8 string makes sense on paper as is, but the wound strings sound like a bass.
 
Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

CaptainWhizz said:
I started wondering recently, is it worth trying to balance string tensions across my guitars, accounting for different scale lengths and different tunings? Previously I had gone the other way, trying to keep my Les Pauls “spongier” and my Strats “snappier” in the same tuning.

Does anyone else do this? Either ballpark it with standard gauge packs, or use custom sets? Or not bother?
Click to expand...

Of course David Gilmour have thought about this.
His signature string sets are :

10 for Strat and 10,5 for LP.

I use 10-46 on Fender and now I feel no change for bends with 10,5 on my SG. Great !

Currently I would like to know which gauge for the third string would feel just like as a 17 in E when you downtune to D

I use 10-46 for most guitars plus :
10,5 for SG
11-52 for regular slide / 12-56 for downtuned slide
14-68 for 27"7 Baritone
 
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Re: Balancing string tensions across different guitars

Try an 18 or 19

Also, google “D’Addario string tension pro” and figure out exactly what gauges you need
 
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