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Lite vs medium strings. Go!

Ok so im 3 strings and im gdg. Scale length 25.5". I'm using lite strings at the moment and I'm happy with the tension and sustain on the 2nd & 3rd, but the first string, tuned correctly, seems much looser and has got that buzz. I'm thinking a heavier gauge might fix the problem. Have I got this all wrong? I'd just like a bit more tension on the first string.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 15, 2017 at 1:06am

I shall reference that reference. Thanks LJ.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on June 15, 2017 at 1:15am

If I'd only had that reference before many years of trial and error!

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on June 17, 2017 at 2:44pm

I had the same problem with my 2x4 guitar, same scale length. I started with the 3/4/5 strings as usual (in this case an acoustic set 25/32/42) and couldn't get the low string to come into tune, it was super tight and still a note low. I switched it out for the 2nd string which was a 16 and it worked great, tension feels ok, I like the sound but there is some twang to it. Funny thing is I had a couple of these sets and the other ones worked fine with no issues or maybe not enough to notice.

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Permalink Reply by Grandpa on June 23, 2017 at 9:25am

Chordgen.rattree.co.uk
String tension calculators that I recently wiled away an hour on. I build 25" scale gits, GDg, .042/.032/.022.I've tried different high g strings...010, .013, etc., but I like the heavier wound .022. Anyway, I was muckin' around with tensions, seein' what might balance better than my chosen gauges. The science is pretty straight forward, but I found that even though my tensions were not as close to balanced as one could achieve, the tone and sound are good. It looks like .046/.030/.023 would be better balanced. So science will balance with art when building and playin'. And as we all discover when buildin' gits, there are so many "art" variables..box size, neck wood, electric strings vs. acoustic strings...that a balance of art and science is somewhat random in outcome. Some of my gits sound awesome, others less so. So, I will try some slight variations when stringin' up a couple of gits, but gettin' close is probably gonna be close enough. So light vs. medium vs. heavy will be in the ear of the beholder. Thankfully, strings are a cheap commodity, so experimentation is a low cost excursion into finding your sound. My .02.