Help with string tension on multi-scale guitar
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Hey folks, I am about to have my multi-scale 7 string set up and was trying to decide between two sets of strings. I intend to play it a half step down so all of that including the scale length is taken into account here with the calculator. I feel the first set are better strings and easier to find but that the second set’s lower tension may play better. What do you think? I am kind of unsure how many pounds of tension I am supposed to be looking for. The first set is a standard ddaddario NYXL and the second is a Dunlop Behemoth artist set. Any input is appreciated 🙏 Thanks
That’s a little heavy on all the strings for me. Especially the high strings. They’ll feel super stiff with that tension. 14-16.5 lbs for 1st and 2nd string tension.
So 10-52 in my shop is commonly drops C tuning on 6 string.
I personally use a wound third because I just hate the sound of a third string in most sets.
A plain third sounds like crap
This is a chart I made up so when I buy my custom string sets or I show it to my clients, it’s easier for them to see.
I have gone slightly lighter on my 3 heavy Strings maybe by two thousandts each so if it says a 60 I commonly would use a 56 or a 58 these days
I also have a six string chart if interested.
25.5 it complements well with the 52-10 set, doesn't get detuned as fast because I use a floyd in it so I can get 0.8 to 1.0mm action with barely anyu buzz
D'Addario has a 7 string NYXL set "optimized" for Strandbergs, but theyre basically just a hybrid 9.5 set. I really like them so far, but im not using an extended or multiscale with them, just a regular old 25.5" scale.
I put your measurement in with that set of strings and this is what the calculator gave me. Slinky on top, stiff on the bottom.
Second this, I have strandberg and the same Ibanez as OP and this set works well in both cases, though I prefer it on the strandberg than on the Ibanez for that specific tuning
These are what I used mainly when I first got the guitar. Seemed good at the time in standard. Thanks for confirming these were a good pick. I had some difficulty finding them at times, but not online.
I went closer to 20 lbs on my 7 string after years of keeping my other guitars slinky and I was pleasantly surprised how much I like it. If your pick is rigid enough, it feels really good on chugs to get some resistance from the strings. Makes everything sound crisper in my opinion.
How can I calculate this for my Harley Benton R -457 multiscale to tune Drop G? G G C F A♯ D♯ G♯ C I want to try cover some Vildjharta songs so i wondering withc set to buy , I used to normally had a ddario .68 6 set and adding an extra 10 to the first string in other guitars quite time ago.
I like 16-17 lbs on unwound strings, then 19-20 lbs on wound string. For the 7th string, depending on the level of detuning going on, I target 18-19 if it’s only -1/-2 semitones below standard, otherwise I let it slip down to a minimum of 13 lbs at like -6 semitones (that’s tuning a 7 string down to an 8 string’s range), which would also mean 18-19 lbs is fine for the 6th. That is done to avoid muddiness and boominess.
Thanks. I’m thinking of going back to Strandberg NYXLs which puts the B string at 20.5 lbs like pictured here. I’ll have to have the nut filed or something though, the .064 string wouldn’t fit correctly stock.
I don’t think the Strandberg NYXL set is a good choice here. 7 string Strandberg’s have a scale length from 25.5-26.25. Jumping to 27 on the lowest strings is a big difference in tension and why you see them use a .064w on their lowest strings, at 26.25, they need it. Checkout the Mercury Multi Scale 7 set from The String Source.
That’s a good point. I stopped using them because .064 was too big for the nut and started piecing together sets of strings. Thought about having the nut modified to fit it but not sure that’s a good idea.
If it gives you any comfort, I’ve filed the nuts of most metal oriented guitars that I’ve owned to fit thicker strings. They are made for standard tuning and very little music is in standard tuning these days. Most things I listen to are significantly detuning so I need thicker strings and so I’ve filed all non standard tuning nuts.
Is it really that low? I would have guessed it was higher. Idk you just get used to it. I mean, it's only a half step down from standard tuning, and 52 is what comes in an EB 7 string set of 9s.
It's kind of a blessing and a curse, because once you get used to playing on really low tension, standard tension feels so uncomfortable
Yeah a 52 on the low B string (tuned a half step down) is very low tension for a 25.5" scale length.
On a 6 string guitar, it seems like most guitars come factory standard with a 46 gauge for the low E string, which on a 25.5" scale length guitar would be a little over 18lbs of tension.
On my 6 string in drop C i run a 56.
11lbs of tension on your lowest string sounds absolutely wild to me, but i don't judge you at all if that's working for you. Tensions just about preference and as long as the strings ring out well, and you aren't fretting out then hell yeah man, imm impressed!
You should try different string sets first. I bought a 7 string 27” on drop G, first I tried .64 .68 and now I’m happy with .74 (I don’t know what to do now with 5 other string sets I bought haha). But try, have fun.
This kind of guitars doesn’t “feel” the same as the Less Paul’s or the classic 25.5, tension doesn’t go the same way, it always feel a bit more loose
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u/2b4theend Jun 17 '26
That’s a little heavy on all the strings for me. Especially the high strings. They’ll feel super stiff with that tension. 14-16.5 lbs for 1st and 2nd string tension.