I use a string tension calculator that my friend, Dan, wrote several years back.
Basically, you can put in the scale length of your instrument, the string materials (PB = Phosphor/Bronze, PL = Plain Steel, etc). And then you can put in a string gauge, and it will tell you the tension. (Or you can switch it around, and put in tension, and it will tell you string gauge).
I find it's best to try to have pretty consistent tension across all the strings, and for my bouzouki, I like tension in the 20-23# range (per string).
So your bouzouki might look something like this (with octave strings on the lower two courses... you can switch that around to match your settings and scale length...)
len 24.75"
A,, .038" PB == 22.8#
A, .020" PB == 24.9#
D, .028" PB == 22.04#
D .013" PL == 20.49#
A, .020" PB == 24.9#
A, .020" PB == 24.9#
D .013" PL == 20.49#
D .013" PL == 20.49#
It looks a little daunting, but it's pretty easy to use, once you get a handle on it.
Once I've calculated the string gauges, I then just buy bulk strings (12 packs), at the right gauges, instead of trying to buy sets. (http://juststrings.com is where I usually buy from)
So jasbas, the quick course (there are more detailed instructions on the page)
len = scale length
A,, - low octave
A, - higher octave
.020" - string gauge
PB - string material (phosphor bronze)
22.8# - calculated string tension
So if you just put in:
len 24.75"
A,, .038" PB
A, .020" PB
And then hit the calculate button, it will calculate the string tensions for you. (those would be octave A strings, the first one is the low, the second one is the higher octave.) You can adjust the numbers until you have matching tension all the way across.
Or, if you put in:
len 24.75"
A,, 22# PB
A, 22# PB
It will calculate the string gauges needed to get 22 pounds of tension at that scale length (basically a .037 and a .019, which would be hard strings to get, probably, so you can adjust the numbers around).
aDAD bouzouki string gauges
aDAD bouzouki string gauges
Hi all,
I have a couple of bouzoukis tuned GDAE...I would like to tune one of them to ADAD...any suggestions on string gauges?
# Posted on March 31st 2011 by jasbas
Re: aDAD bouzouki string gauges
I use a string tension calculator that my friend, Dan, wrote several years back.
Basically, you can put in the scale length of your instrument, the string materials (PB = Phosphor/Bronze, PL = Plain Steel, etc). And then you can put in a string gauge, and it will tell you the tension. (Or you can switch it around, and put in tension, and it will tell you string gauge).
I find it's best to try to have pretty consistent tension across all the strings, and for my bouzouki, I like tension in the 20-23# range (per string).
So your bouzouki might look something like this (with octave strings on the lower two courses... you can switch that around to match your settings and scale length...)
len 24.75"
A,, .038" PB == 22.8#
A, .020" PB == 24.9#
D, .028" PB == 22.04#
D .013" PL == 20.49#
A, .020" PB == 24.9#
A, .020" PB == 24.9#
D .013" PL == 20.49#
D .013" PL == 20.49#
It looks a little daunting, but it's pretty easy to use, once you get a handle on it.
Once I've calculated the string gauges, I then just buy bulk strings (12 packs), at the right gauges, instead of trying to buy sets. (http://juststrings.com is where I usually buy from)
# Posted on March 31st 2011 by Reverend
Re: aDAD bouzouki string gauges
thanks a lot Reverend. I am not really understanding the formula...
# Posted on March 31st 2011 by jasbas
Re: aDAD bouzouki string gauges
Where can one find this string tension calculator?
# Posted on April 1st 2011 by CleverName
Re: aDAD bouzouki string gauges
Ahh geez, I can't believe I forgot the link! http://www.surveyor.com/guitar/stringtension.html
So jasbas, the quick course (there are more detailed instructions on the page)
len = scale length
A,, - low octave
A, - higher octave
.020" - string gauge
PB - string material (phosphor bronze)
22.8# - calculated string tension
So if you just put in:
len 24.75"
A,, .038" PB
A, .020" PB
And then hit the calculate button, it will calculate the string tensions for you. (those would be octave A strings, the first one is the low, the second one is the higher octave.) You can adjust the numbers until you have matching tension all the way across.
Or, if you put in:
len 24.75"
A,, 22# PB
A, 22# PB
It will calculate the string gauges needed to get 22 pounds of tension at that scale length (basically a .037 and a .019, which would be hard strings to get, probably, so you can adjust the numbers around).
So yes, it's geeky, but I use it all the time
# Posted on April 1st 2011 by Reverend
Re: aDAD bouzouki string gauges
thanks much i"ll give it a try...
# Posted on April 1st 2011 by jasbas