Question regarding string tension

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XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

Question regarding string tension

I always wondered why strings are not designed to have equal tensions? The tensions always increases from E to D string, and from g to e string, with the g string beeing the weakest of all strings, and probably e or D string as the hardest. This is a disadvantage because your strong finger, I, sits on the weakest string, whereas the A finger has to build up strength.

I assume, in order to reduce the tension of the e or D strings for example, one would have to decrease the size of the string. Is that really technically impossible to do??
Especially the hard tension of the e string throws me off on arpeggios (didnt had this problem with my previous guitar btw). And the string is a low tension string.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2009 14:38:44

sam_m

Posts: 71
Joined: Nov. 24 2008
From: St.Helens, England

RE: Question regarding string tension (in reply to XXX)

The most obvious factor - which you haven't mentioned in your post, but I don't know if you've thought about already - is the physical contraint of the instrument in terms of the string length.

Clearly you can vary the mass/gauge of the string, but the length is something that is pretty much fixed when the guitar is built.

Fan-fretted flamenco anyone?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2009 14:57:07

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Question regarding string tension (in reply to XXX)

Deniz

Try some diferent brands of e strings and see if you can find one with a "nicer" feeling. I know the problem you are talking about but I´ve never thought that the D string was harder.

The guitar with the hard e string, does it also have higher volume on the e string.

The tension of the strings vary because of sound quality and volume but you can always mix yourself, and remember that when you´ve found a treble set that suits you, they last for a year or so.
I find that Luthier 20 e string is relatively soft compared to other normal tension e strings. But you can find xtra low tension strings from Hannabach.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2009 23:17:07