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Correct string gauge

I want to make a bowed string with a scale length of 14." I see where others have used steel wire (not that I could find any at Home Depot). From my estimations, I believe to tune that to a D like on guitar's fourth string, the gauge should be somewhere between .060 and .068. Does that sound reasonable to you pros in here? Thx.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on August 20, 2020 at 11:20am

So are you talking about a one string fiddle? That’s weird, Home Depot in my area carries steel wire? have you tried Ace Hardware, they carry steel wire?

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Permalink Reply by Greg Turner on August 20, 2020 at 5:11pm

They had something called tie wire in the masonry section and was way too thick. All the other steel wire was braided and also too thick.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Turner on August 20, 2020 at 5:19pm

Oh and it's a 2 string bowed Rawanahatha.

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Permalink Reply by Korrigan on August 20, 2020 at 1:51pm

It depends how much tension you want. I calculate that a plain steel 0.064 (the middle of your range) would be 40lbs of tension when tuned to D3. That seems pretty high to me.

If you look at 4/4 sized violins (13" scale length) they usually have string tensions of 12 to 18lbs. If you wanted to go for a tension in the middle that range... use a plain steel 0.040 for 15lbs of tension when tuned to D3 on a 14" scale.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Turner on August 20, 2020 at 5:20pm

Ok, .040 for D3 at 14".

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on August 20, 2020 at 5:19pm

A violin string is always the best choice, but this what I used? Actually piano wire, so better than construction wire? I’m in Cali, so it may not be available in your area? https://www.homedepot.com/p/OOK-9-ft-50-lbs-Smooth-High-Carbon-Stee...

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Permalink Reply by Greg Turner on August 20, 2020 at 5:34pm

I clicked that link to order and then they won't ship it, they want curbside pickup so I agree. After the Paypal transaction it turns out they think I'm going to drive from Las Vegas to California to pick it up. Now how to cancel. Hmmm....