Help with new set ups!? Thanks!

[boardn10]

Hi all! I am new here! EB strings have been my favorites for years.

I am looking to set up all my guitars with new strings and want to try something new. I have been using Ernie Ball 10-52 on all in Eb. My tech said I should be able to use straight sets and to stop using the hybrid sets which can harm the neck and I agree with him, they can feel un-even?!

Maybe there is a good calculator that takes into account gauge, note (including accidentals) and scale length!

I have three types of guitars, Fender, Gibson and PRS with different scale lengths. Fender is 25.5", Gibby is 24.75" and PRS is 25".
I am trying to find the best string gauge sets for these guitars all in Eb. The guys I all play with go in Eb or a half step down, same thing.

I was thinking something like 10-46 set on the Febders and D'Addario 10.5-48 sets for my Gibson.

So, we tune to Eb and I will say that my favorite set in Standard E is 9-46...so I want the equivalent in Eb (half down).

I don't like having to struggle to much to bend since I have some wrist issues, I try to take it easy

Since we are Eb (half down) I was thinking straight 11 sets on my Gibsons and straight 10s on the Fender.
But then what about the PRS? It is closer in feel to a Gibson with the 25" length. To be honest, I have 10-52 right now on my Fender and PRS in Eb and both feel similar. Maybe I shouldn't worry about scale length so much.

I wish Ernie Ball made a 10.5-48 set.

Have you all been through this before? LOL!

 

[DrKev]

Hi there and welcome to the forums!

My tech said I should be able to use straight sets and to stop using the hybrid sets which can harm the neck and I agree with him, they can feel un-even?!

Harm the neck? Complete, utter, total nonsense! Hybrid sets cannot harm your neck. And tensions change from string to string even across a "regular" set of strings. Compare the high-E string and the G string. Noticeable difference! They're all uneven!

Personally, when I drop the tuning a half step, I go up a gauge. So, from E to Eb I'd go from 9s to 10s. For 25.5" to 24.75", again, I'd also go up a gauge, i.e. 10s to 11s.

But even in Eb, you could stay with the 9s on the longer scale and 10 on the shorter scale? Many great players have done just that and sounded awesome. Remember, the best way to improve your tone and enjoyment is to play better. Lighter strings do that for most people. And if you have wrist issues, it's definitely worth a try.

Bearing that in mind, I would suggest starting with Hybrid Slinky (9 - 46) on the 25.5". See how that feels, and if you like it, try the same on the PRS and Skinny Top Heavy Bottom (10 - 52) on the LP. But if you don't like the hybrids, try Regular Slinky (10 - 46) on the 25.5" and work from there.

Trust your ears and your fingers. Let them tell you what you need. Try to be objective and ignore preconceived notions, your own or anyone else's. Good luck and let us know how you get on!

 

[boardn10]

Thanks bro, good stuff! What about other brands? I often hear guys say Boomers are tighter and may be a better bet?
Right now I have Ernie Ball 10-46 on my strat in Eb and it is buzzing bad, mostly the low Eb string.

I was looking at what pros use and noticed David Gilmore uses heavy gauges and I tune lower than him!

What about low tune sets?

What was working for me was this...10-52 on the strat and PRS and even the LP.....I didn't notice big tension differences and it was easy because all guitars had the same strings! Sure the feel was softerm on the LP bt it is to be expected.

Right now I have 11-54 on my LP anjd they are stiff!

I might try the GHS Low tune set 11-53

 

[DrKev]

Well, remember, I'm not gonna recommend you use the competitors' strings on the official Ernie Ball company forum! Having said that we'll never trash anybody else - there are a lot of great strings out there and it's largely a question of personal choice what you prefer. The all have slightly different feel, tension and tone, you'll just have to try 'em and see.

When you change string gauges and brands you may require some set up work as the neck moves a little with the change in string tension, probably a small truss rod adjustment is all.

 

[boardn10]

Great points! I have that Ernie Balls tend to sound and feel the best. I have been experimenting and after talking to some trust worthy friends most think a combination of an 11 and 10 set, like 10-48 or a straight 11 set should be fine. I am thinking since 9-46 is my favorite for Standard E tuning, 10-48 or 11-50 will be my ideal for Eb tuning, however, this will require me to order single strings which is expensive because you pay more and also pay shipping. Our local shops only carry GHS and D'Addario singles.

Playing with my Fenders, SGs, LPs and PRS guitars....I notice little difference between scale length in terms of tension...it is there, but nothing to worry about. The big difference to me is string gauge and to me this would work best on all my guitars! -> 10-13-17-28-38-50. Problem is, this would require ordering singles and I think it costs a lot to ship. I think American Musical Supply provided free shipping on strings so I might check,

 

[DrKev]

Do check ut the prices on the Ernie Ball online store. You'll find it from the main website.

 

[boardn10]

I just installed Ernie Ball 11-48 on my strat and one of my Les Pauls. PERFECT in Eb! I love it, easy to bend, stays nicely in tune, feels great! Thanks so much for all the help guys. Much easier to quickly bend up a whole step! Wow! Only thing I may need to do is pick up some .50 gauge strings at the shop, they only carry D'Addario singles but that is fine as it is only the low Eb. I think a .50 may be best since we drop to dro C# at times.

Thanks for the help!!!!!

For those who prefer 11-52, are you using the D'Addarios? I am finding the 11-48 feel just right and well balanced. To me, the 30-42-52 feel a little out of place, like the set is not balanced. Personal perference but I can always switch. One thing for sure, it is a whole lot less frustrating since I use the same gauge on all guitars! I just enjoy the fact that all guitars feel a little different with the same strings and it saves me from stressing any more. So I think for me it may be 10-46 in standard and 11-48 in Eb with the occassional drop to drop C#.

My buddy plays drop D on his guitars and he uses 9-42 in standard E.

 

[DrKev]

Glad it worked out!

 

[boardn10]

Do you guys know how companies formulate string gauges? Based on tension or size? I mean the low E is always the least amount of tension of the wound strings in a set. For example, look at a 11-48, the low E is balanced in terms of size I guess but the tension is off. This would make more sense for tension:
11-14-18-28-38-50

Any ideas? Makes no sense! I mean, DR has a good idea with their sets because they are more balanced 11-50!

Is it size or tension because 11-50 makes a lot more sense than the 11-48.

I just order 2 6 packs of Ernie Ball .50s

 

[DrKev]

As far as I know, in the early days of the electric guitar, they were strung with similar gauges to acoustic guitars, 12 or 13 gauge on the high E. Of course, with the advent of rock'n'roll, people started using the lightest string from a banjo (9 or 10), putting that in the high E spot and simply shifting the other strings over, making their own custom light gauge set*. Over the years that may have become the accepted make up of the set and has never changed since then.

Anybody know the history behind gauge choice? BP? AJ? Anyone?


*Of course a certain Mr Ball decided to save his customers the trouble of having to buy the extra banjo string and throw away a heavy one. When the string makers at the time refused to do produce sets like for him, he went and did it himself. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

[boardn10]

I am surprised Ernie Ball hasn't figured it out yet like other companies. Many companies are using the following for 11 sets:
11-14-18-28-38-50. Ernie Ball continues to use a .48 for the 6th string and it is just too slack! So, I had to order Ernie Ball 11-48 sets and then a 12 pack of .50 strings.

 

[DrKev]

They did figure it out. It's a winner.

Look, many brands have their own recipes for their strings. Alloys, core diameters, winding diameters and pitch. That changes the tone, feel, and tension. You can't simply compare the bare numbers. Each company goes with a set make up that they feel works best with their strings. There are a LOT of choices out there and Power Slinkys are top sellers in their gauge.

If you prefer a heavier string on the bottom, that's cool. That's your own personal preference. All that counts is you find what works best for you, makes you a better player and gives you the most enjoyment from your playing.

 

[boardn10]

Then I would love to know the rational? I mean in the 11-48 set, the .48 has much less tension than the other strings. What was the reasoning for keeping it at .48 based un so much less tension?