7 string set gauges?

[Mark Evans]

I’m making the leap, acquiring a 7 string lap steel.
I reckon I can figure out string gauges, but thought I’d poll the group…
If I, say, go to a C6 with a C as low root note… would I just something like a .042-ish on the bottom? I’m assuming the bottom is where that added 7th string would make sense… or does the whole mess get rebalanced?

Inquiring pickers want to know *ding*

[Noah Miller]

Rather than guess, I would plug my strings and tuning into a string tension calculator and figure out what gauge produces the closest tension to the other strings. No need to change the other strings.

[Michael Kiese]

Rather than guess, I would plug my strings and tuning into a string tension calculator and figure out what gauge produces the closest tension to the other strings. No need to change the other strings.

Noah Miller for the win!

I concur. Just use a string tension calculator and figure out what tension you like, and make all the strings as close to the same tension as possible. Balanced sets are NIIICE...

Also, keep in mind the same set of strings will have different tensions depending on the scale length of the guitar...

Good luck!

[Mark Evans]

22.5” scale length

Seller has it in C Diatonic (new to me)
with the following gauges, from highest to lowest:
1st string E .015
2nd string C .017
3rd string B .018 (or .019)
4th string A .022
5th string G .024 (plain)
6th string F .028 (wrapped)
7th string E .030 (wrapped)
Possibly GHS Roller wound

Will start off from here but likely will adopt/adapt in future

[Michael Kiese]

22.5” scale length

Seller has it in C Diatonic (new to me)
with the following gauges, from highest to lowest:
1st string E .015
2nd string C .017
3rd string B .018 (or .019)
4th string A .022
5th string G .024 (plain)
6th string F .028 (wrapped)
7th string E .030 (wrapped)
Possibly GHS Roller wound

Will start off from here but likely will adopt/adapt in future

Aloha Mark,

Plug those values into a string tension calculator with the appropriate scale length and pitch. Then you'll see the tension in ftlbs.

There's no hard and fast rule, but I find anything less than 15 ftlbs to be far too flubby, and anything more than 30 ftlbs to be far too tight.

Other than that, my only piece of advice is to not use thicker than a .020 plain string. Once you start using a .022 plain or a .024 plain, you'll notice decreased sustain. So consider going with wound strings for anything above a .020p.

But again, no rules. Figure out what you like.

I generally try to keep all my steels between 20-25 ftlbs of tension. That's what I like. So no matter the scale length or the tuning, I try to make a balanced set of 20-25 ftlbs per string. I aim for getting each string as close to 23ftlbs as possible. That way if I have to change the tuning, e.g. C6/A6/B11, then I'm still within 20-25 ftlbs.

Happy hunting!

[Allan Revich]

I use this guide from John Ely to choose string gauges.

IMG_0340.jpeg

https://www.hawaiiansteel.com/graphics/ ... _chart.pdf

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Allan,

Does that chart include Scale Length? That's a very important variable.

Given the same gauge string, a longer scale will have more tension, and a shorter scale will have less tension.

Most steels are 22.5" or 24.5". Duesenbergs are 25.5".

The same gauge string will be vastly different on all three steels.

That was my gripe about buying pre-made sets for C6 or A6 when I was first beginning my journey on steel. I've never seen a premade set for steel that said what scale length they're selected for, so I resorted myself to making my own custom sets right at the beginning.

[Allan Revich]

Hey Michael,

There are only two scale lengths to worry about, 22.5” and 25”. Lap steels are built like tanks, so there’s no need to worry about damage to the guitar within a few thousandths of an inch, same with string breakage; so it really comes down to “feel”.

I think that John Ely’s guide is an excellent place to start without spending a lot of time with a calculator—which is still going to end up coming back down to “feel” when all is said and done.

I would never suggest to someone that they shouldn’t calculate string tensions to get the best result, but I’d definitely suggest that starting out with prepackaged sets, or a guide like Ely’s is an easier way to get started.

[Michael Kiese]

Hey Michael,

There are only two scale lengths to worry about, 22.5” and 25”. Lap steels are built like tanks, so there’s no need to worry about damage to the guitar within a few thousandths of an inch, same with string breakage; so it really comes down to “feel”.

I think that John Ely’s guide is an excellent place to start without spending a lot of time with a calculator—which is still going to end up coming back down to “feel” when all is said and done.

I would never suggest to someone that they shouldn’t calculate string tensions to get the best result, but I’d definitely suggest that starting out with prepackaged sets, or a guide like Ely’s is an easier way to get started.

Aloha Allan,

Pre-packaged string sets are convenient and a great way for beginners to get started. The only real downside is that they almost never specify the scale length they’re optimized for.

The same gauges, in the same tuning, will have noticeably different tension (and therefore feel and tone) depending on the instrument’s scale length. Just going from 22.5" to 25" can easily mean a difference of several pounds of tension per string, which is very perceptible in how the strings feel under your fingers, as well as in sustain and overall energy.

Without realizing this, someone might try a set and not like how their guitar plays or sounds, then blame the strings, the instrument, or even themselves.

Just to gently push back, while you’re right that the two most common scales were modeled after the old Rickenbacker frypans (the A22 at 22.5" and the A25 at 24.5"), lap steels actually come in a pretty wide variety of scale lengths these days.

Using pre-packaged string gauges without considering your specific scale length is a lot like putting the same size tires on every car on the road—it’ll work, but it won’t perform as well as it could. Moreover, you run the risk of poor performance.

I’m not disagreeing that John Ely’s site is an excellent place to start. I’m just saying scale length definitely matters.

Good luck and happy hunting!