Who here buys custom string gauge sets? Thoughts?

[Rex_Rocker]

So I'm using Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky 12-56 right now, but I get a separate 24w third string because the plain 24 gauge plain string it comes with is attrocious.

But I'm thinking about going up a gauge on the lowest string because I play them in Drop C. The set has a more or less even tension on the first five strings, and then I feel the 6th string flops compared to the others.

So at that point, I might as well put together a custom set with some other string brand... problem is, which? And where do I order them?

I'm thinking about going for something a bit lighter on the first couple of strings as I do miss the slinkiness of the D'Addario 11-56 set. So I'm thinking 11-15-24w(or 22w, still undecided)-32-44-58 or 59. I'd prefer 58, as I do like the tone of the 56, so I don't want to stray too far from it, but I do know many brands don't make 58's.

I like the tone of Ernie Balls and D'Addarios, FWIW.

So where do you guys get your custom gauges from?

Thanks!

 

[Seashore]

Kalium and Stringjoy. Both are very good. Kalium sounds a little more scooped to my ears, Stringjoy has a little more midrange punch. Kalium's low strings sound better to my ears.

Kalium is one guy shipping from California and it can take a few weeks to get your strings. I think they're worth the wait, I've always gotten them eventually, and Skip made it right the one time there was an error in the shipment, but I have read complaints from disgruntled customers. Stringjoy has their act together.

Both have calculators so you can dial in the feel you're looking for based on what you already know you like.

You can also build a custom set of Ernie Balls out of singles from JustStrings, but it'll cost just as much.

 

[ICTGoober]

Since I have enough strings in stock to make small music stores blush, I make up my own (most of the time). With all the stuff I have, I'll admit a serious lack of loop end strings (for mandolins, banjos, etc). The only custom sets I order that don't come from a normal retail outfit is my mandocello sets, which I order 2 at a time from a specialty maker at emando.com.

 

[uOpt]

I do that with my Classical Guitar.

H and E La Bella Gold.
E, A, D Augustine Blue.
G either La Bella Gold or a wound Dr. Thomastic.

 

[Mincer]

Nah, I got enough stuff I am really particular about. I am fine with a standard 9-42 set on most of my instruments.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

Skinny top Beefy bottoms are sort of a custom gauge.
That's what I use on my low tuners for the most part.

 

[dave74]

These might be a good solution.

Magnum Slinky 12-16-22w-32-44-56

https://www.ernieball.com/guitar-st...wound-electric-guitar-strings/6-string#P02618

 

[Seashore]

If you tune down and you haven't put a custom set together with the tension dialed in based on your preferences, you don't know what you're missing. Give it a try. It's like having a better prescription on your glasses. I can adapt to a lot, but none of the off the shelf sets gets the balance right for my money.

For instance, here's a ballpark idea of what the above-mentioned Magnum Slinkys come out to in drop C:



It's not exactly what the EBs would be, because it's a different brand, but you get the idea. Those high strings would be pretty tight, the wound 3rd would feel weird next to them, and that low string would be floppy as heck compared to the next couple.

Can you get used to it? Sure. Do your saddles have enough backward range to get good intonation on all strings? Probably. Is it ideal? No.

Here's a set I would buy if I was setting up one of my 6 strings for drop C:




I like this kind of taper, with the lowest strings having the most tension, and the plain strings having less than the wound ones because they behave differently. Maybe you wouldn't love it as much as me but it's not expensive to try. This is pretty similar to the 11-63 set I have from Kalium for C# standard.

I've been ordering from both the companies I mentioned for years and I can vouch for their quality. Ernie Ball is my favorite off the shelf brand but I think these are a step up. Up to you if it's worth spending the extra money regularly.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

9-46 for my Schecter Sun Valley super-shredder cuz that's what it came with. It's a custom gauge but you can buy them in sets everywhere (D'addario's, Ernie's ball's). Regular extra lights (9-42) for all my other Fender scale guitars & 10-46's for the short scale one's..

I only use D'addario's or Ernie Balls..

 

[weepingminotaur]

I've got 9-46 on my Sterling Cutlass and 10-48 on my Schecter in E flat. The rest are relatively normal but I am thinking of going from 11-52 to 11-50 on my LTD in D standard for a bit more slinkiness on the bottom.

As long as bends and vibrato are easy and the bottom strings are light enough for fast riffing, I'm pretty good, though.

 

[jeremy]

i used to get custom sets of dr strings. didnt cost more, but there was a minimum order. that was a long time ago though so not sure what may have changed

 

[Rex_Rocker]

These might be a good solution.

Magnum Slinky 12-16-22w-32-44-56

https://www.ernieball.com/guitar-st...wound-electric-guitar-strings/6-string#P02618

I've used the Magnum Slinkies before, and I like them, but I rarely find them in stock whenever I look.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

If you tune down and you haven't put a custom set together with the tension dialed in based on your preferences, you don't know what you're missing. Give it a try. It's like having a better prescription on your glasses. I can adapt to a lot, but none of the off the shelf sets gets the balance right for my money.

For instance, here's a ballpark idea of what the above-mentioned Magnum Slinkys come out to in drop C:



It's not exactly what the EBs would be, because it's a different brand, but you get the idea. Those high strings would be pretty tight, the wound 3rd would feel weird next to them, and that low string would be floppy as heck compared to the next couple.

Can you get used to it? Sure. Do your saddles have enough backward range to get good intonation on all strings? Probably. Is it ideal? No.

Here's a set I would buy if I was setting up one of my 6 strings for drop C:




I like this kind of taper, with the lowest strings having the most tension, and the plain strings having less than the wound ones because they behave differently. Maybe you wouldn't love it as much as me but it's not expensive to try. This is pretty similar to the 11-63 set I have from Kalium for C# standard.

I've been ordering from both the companies I mentioned for years and I can vouch for their quality. Ernie Ball is my favorite off the shelf brand but I think these are a step up. Up to you if it's worth spending the extra money regularly.

Yeah, I more or less planned my 11-58/59 set using a tension calculator.

The 6th string is tricky for me because I prefer the tone of lighter strings by far... but I prefer the feel of heavier strings. So I have to find a happy medium. I've used the 56 for years now. Must have been at least like 10-12, and only recently do I wish it'd be a bit tighter, but it sounds great and crunchy on those chugs, so I don't wanna completely throw that away. So that's maybe why I wanna go up a gauge.

 

[solspirit]

i used to get custom sets of dr strings. didnt cost more, but there was a minimum order. that was a long time ago though so not sure what may have changed

I've been buying D'Addario so long on line, I forgot all about them.

I used to buy Stringjoy customs but Ive found oyt that its more economical to buy 2 different D'Addario guage sets. .46 & .48.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

i used to get custom sets of dr strings. didnt cost more, but there was a minimum order. that was a long time ago though so not sure what may have changed

Where do you get those? Off the DR site directly?

 

[jeremy]

a buddy was a dealer so went through him

 

[solspirit]

a buddy was a dealer so went through him

I've heard that before. . .

 

[Seashore]

Yeah, I more or less planned my 11-58/59 set using a tension calculator.

The 6th string is tricky for me because I prefer the tone of lighter strings by far... but I prefer the feel of heavier strings. So I have to find a happy medium. I've used the 56 for years now. Must have been at least like 10-12, and only recently do I wish it'd be a bit tighter, but it sounds great and crunchy on those chugs, so I don't wanna completely throw that away. So that's maybe why I wanna go up a gauge.

Some other thoughts, for whatever they're worth.

The easiest thing to do would be to keep playing the set you like and order some extra low strings to try different gauges. Get a couple each of .058, .060, .062, that way you can give them all a try and you'll have a spare of whichever one you like best. I used to buy the D'Addario "baritone light" set and a separate 64 for extra tension on the bottom string. Had a lot of 62s left over.

Make sure the nut can accommodate them properly. I used to get that thuddy low end, but with a properly filed nut, there are no issues with clarity or crunch on any of my guitars.

If you're still interested in a custom set but opposed to a thick low string, maybe consider going lighter on the middle strings to keep the tension more balanced, like this:

​​​​​​​

 

[Zerberus]

i used to get custom sets of dr strings. didnt cost more, but there was a minimum order. that was a long time ago though so not sure what may have changed

They still offer custom gauge sets, or more accurately I at least have no problems getting my TiteFit 12-56 (JZ-12 set with a 56 low e instead of 52) and 12-70 7 string sets (Ssme thing but withan additional 70 for the low b) factory direct.

But they seem to no longer advertise them..... So either they´re only still doing it for legacy customers, or you might have to use the contact form on the website or go directly through a dealer.

As far as almost all other brands go, if you want a custom set you´re basically forced to buy single strings and make your own, which isn´t SOO bad since you can buy single strings in bulk and as a result it generally doesn´t wind up being that much more costly than buying standard sets, generally in teh rage of like a dollar or 2 per set. But that additional does add up a bit over time...