Author Topic: String tension (Read 4735 times)

ilÿti · « **on:** December 26, 2007, 07:11:08 PM »

I've got a problem with my 7-string. It's a short scale semi-hollow guitar, but for some reason the string tension is much higher than on my Les Paul, making the strings harder to push down. .010s on both guitars. I thought it was just in need of a truss rod adjustment, but I did the playing card test and it passed that.
Any ideas on what's causing this? Would it help to replace hardware, or change to another brand of strings? I've had d'addario and ernie balls on this guitar, and it's been the same problem. Maybe the only solution is to go down a string gauge, but I really don't wanna do that. IMO, semi hollows demand 010s or thicker.

maverickf1jockey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2007, 09:41:33 PM »

Does one have locking tuners or a vibrato bridge?

If you have too many turns on your tuning pegs it comes out in your string tensions. I know this because I have a Floyd and always overwind the strings so that if one breaks I can put it back on without too much hassle. The downside of this is that the tension is affected a bit but I do it with .11 gauge strings and I'm a bit of a shreddy player so it doesn't bother me so much.

ilÿti · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2007, 10:40:41 PM »

Thanks for the reply. Nope, tune-o-matic + stop tail. And I only use a few turns on the 'pegs. Tuners are non-locking, and I don't know what brand they are.

Henk · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:17:42 AM »

Im thinking of the action being higher one one guitar, or its the angle the strings run over the bridge to the stoptail. If that angle is higher on one that could make up for the difference. Some of my guitars have the strings running over the stoptail instead of through them, this reduces the angle and in this way it reduces string tension.

Another thing is that different brand of strings can have quite remarkable tension differences, also old strings can feel higher in tension, however mostly they are just coarse and you feel the pressing harder into your fingers.

WezV · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2007, 04:20:36 PM »

Quote from: Henk

If that angle is higher on one that could make up for the difference. Some of my guitars have the strings running over the stoptail instead of through them, this reduces the angle and in this way it reduces string tension.

Yeah, i would try this first.

rather than ask lots of questions it might be worth posting a pic of each guitar or at least a link to them so we can see if there is anything obvious thats being missed

also, you say short scale but do you know what the scale length is on the 7?

ilÿti · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2007, 03:24:17 AM »

Quote from: Henk

Im thinking of the action being higher one one guitar, or its the angle the strings run over the bridge to the stoptail. If that angle is higher on one that could make up for the difference. Some of my guitars have the strings running over the stoptail instead of through them, this reduces the angle and in this way it reduces string tension.

Another thing is that different brand of strings can have quite remarkable tension differences, also old strings can feel higher in tension, however mostly they are just coarse and you feel the pressing harder into your fingers.

Thanks Henk.. that just makes it even weirder. :P
The action is lower on the 7, and it's top-wrapped. It's currently got d'addario, the Les Paul has rotosound at the moment but I've had D'addario at the same time on both guitars, and it was the same difference.

I've messured the scale length, and despite being a 7-string, it's 24.75'' (I'm not good with inches, it's below 25 at least) so there might be a slight difference but the strings are harder to bend than on most 25,5 scale guitars I've tried. It's been like this since I got it. I'm wondering if it's something 'll have to live with, or there's actually a solution to it.

I don't have a camera at my dispossal at the moment, but I'll try and get one up when possible.

Philly Q · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2007, 11:11:02 AM »

Does the 7-string have the tuners in a 4+3 or 7-in-line arrangement?

That can have an effect too, the greater the length of the string behind the nut the greater the total string length, so there's more string to bend (unless they're being held by a locking nut like a Floyd). That's why a reverse-headstock Strat feels quite different from a normal one.

ilÿti · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2007, 06:52:13 PM »

It's a 4+3 headstock.
http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raines002ks7.jpg

I took some pictures when I got it, this is how it looks.

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5628/raines003ta2.jpg
(as I said, I have it top-wrapped now, and it helpted a little but not much)

Cheers.

Henk · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2007, 09:05:56 AM »

Well in that case the last thing i can think off is checking if all strings run smoothly trough the nut and over the bridge, is everything well slotted, not too tight, put a little graphite in the nut(scr@pings from a hard pencil). Then downtune all strings and tune again. Probabaly better to try this with a fresh set of strings.

If you increase tension on the strings by overtuning and then loosening it again you will hear it not running smooth over the nut/bridge but making a springy.shocking sound.

If this is not it its probably some construction thing and you just have to live with it IMO.

ilÿti · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2007, 10:07:01 PM »

I'll have a go at that. Thanks.