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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ String Tension Math? (introduction Wanted)
Posted by: verciazghra Sep 6 2013, 07:36 PM
How high can you tune a 10 gague string and what does it do to the tension? Experts please discuss!
I was wondering what is the range of "acceptable" tunings for a 10 to 54 set; or in my case 10-74(8 string). I've been messing with the idea of tuning in major 3rds(all the way) or perfect 5ths and just wondering in general how I should go about calculating the extra tension. I have no idea so far and an introductory answer would probably suffice, it doesn't have to be 100% accurate. Cheers.
Posted by: Headbanger Sep 6 2013, 09:06 PM
I found this on one website:
Might help you work something out!
Posted by: pdf64 Sep 6 2013, 10:42 PM
See http://www.daddario.com/Resources/JDCDAD/images/tension_chart.pdf
Pete
Posted by: verciazghra Sep 7 2013, 12:38 PM
Pete
Awesome, thank you so much!
Posted by: vonhotch Sep 7 2013, 02:23 PM
Here is a cool online string gauge calculator, I use all the time. http://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_guitar_string.htm . I used it to figure out what gauges would be good for a 6 string I have tuned in perfect fifths. It is a really cool tuning. I have it F,C,G,D,A,E. On a 6 string you are one half step shy of having the range of an 8 string. Doing on an 8 would be pretty crazy. This place makes a .005 A string for doing crazy stuff like that. http://garrygoodman.com/octave4plus.com.htm
One thing to note on the calculator. Is your low F# would be a 1 octave and the high E would be a 4 octave. Just for reference. I didn't know this at first.
Let us know how it goes.
Posted by: Darius Wave Sep 7 2013, 05:33 PM
I was wondering what is the range of "acceptable" tunings for a 10 to 54 set; or in my case 10-74(8 string). I've been messing with the idea of tuning in major 3rds(all the way) or perfect 5ths and just wondering in general how I should go about calculating the extra tension. I have no idea so far and an introductory answer would probably suffice, it doesn't have to be 100% accurate. Cheers.
I did the 5ths (like a violin) on my fretless. 6 string guitar ended with low F . I had to borrow one string from the bass - around 0.86
Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 9 2013, 08:37 AM
You can tune your string up until they snap, but as you get tighter, they will get a pinch more difficult to bend/legato/play. The 8 string (as you know) has way more string tension than a regular guitar due to the long scale length and to get around it, many players (like the guys in Meshuggah) tune down TWO ENTIRE STEPS! or more just to try to add some playability back in. I noticed that tuning the low F# to E reduced the string tension a bit but not a ton. I have not tuned down two steps yet as my five string bass won't tune that low and still work 
I"m going to have to either get a six string bass, or go digital and fake it with midi. Working this low presents its' own challenges to be sure 
Todd
I was wondering what is the range of "acceptable" tunings for a 10 to 54 set; or in my case 10-74(8 string). I've been messing with the idea of tuning in major 3rds(all the way) or perfect 5ths and just wondering in general how I should go about calculating the extra tension. I have no idea so far and an introductory answer would probably suffice, it doesn't have to be 100% accurate. Cheers.
Posted by: Darius Wave Sep 9 2013, 12:54 PM
I"m going to have to either get a six string bass, or go digital and fake it with midi. Working this low presents its' own challenges to be sure
Todd
Here's a very good point! I had same thoughts
)) Going down with the guitar is not a hard task but what about the bass track? Sometimes You have to use octaver on the bass....damn
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