Beatrice Lang
String tension is a crucial factor in determining the playability and feel of a guitar. While string gauge is more commonly associated with electric guitar strings, string tension plays a significant role as well. The relationship between string gauge and tension is straightforward: thicker strings generally have higher tension. However, the length of the diapason also influences tension, with shorter scales like Gibson's having lower tension and longer scales like Fender's having higher tension. This variation in tension affects the 'feel' of the strings, with higher tension making strings harder to bend and lower tension making them more likely to go sharp when struck. Additionally, the tuning of the guitar affects tension, with lower tunings reducing tension and higher tunings increasing it. Artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Quo are known for using very high tension in their setups, sometimes exceeding 30lbs of tension per string. Ultimately, the choice between higher and lower tension strings depends on factors such as the player's preference, the guitar's scale length, and the desired tuning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Strings with higher tension | Feel harder to bend |
| Strings with lower tension | More likely to go sharp when struck, hold tuning poorly |
| Strings with higher tension | More common on Fender guitars, which have a longer scale length |
| Strings with lower tension | More common on Gibson guitars, which have a shorter scale length |
| Strings with higher tension | Have thicker gauges |
| Strings with lower tension | More desirable for players with older, vintage instruments or those with tendinitis or arthritis |
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What You'll Learn
String gauge and tension
String tension is a function of three aspects: string gauge, scale length, and pitch. String gauge refers to the thickness of the strings. Scale length is the distance of a vibrating string on a given instrument, usually measured from the nut to the point of contact with the bridge or tailpiece. Pitch refers to the note or sound the string is tuned to.
String tension is measured in pounds or kilograms and is important to understand as it affects the playability of your guitar. Higher tension strings feel harder to bend, while lower tension strings are more likely to go sharp when struck and may hold their tuning poorly.
The tension of a string can be calculated using the unit weight, scale length, and frequency of the string. Generally, heavier gauges of strings will give you increased string tension when tuned to pitch. For example, when comparing 9-42 strings and 11-52 strings, the 11s will have greater tension than the 9s when both are tuned to the same pitch.
It is worth noting that string tension will be different for every string in a set due to variations in gauge and pitch. However, D'Addario has engineered balanced tension string sets, where the deviation in tension between strings is minimal, creating a different and desirable playing experience for some.
Experimenting with different string tensions can help you find the best setup for your guitar and improve your playing.
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The effect of string tension on playability
String tension is a critical factor in determining the sound and playability of a stringed instrument. It refers to the tightness of a string stretched between two fixed points, such as the nut and bridge of a guitar. The playability of an instrument is influenced by several factors related to string tension:
Pitch Frequency
The standard pitch of an instrument, such as A = 440 Hz, determines the tension required for the strings.
String Length
The distance between the nut and the bridge, or the length of the string that vibrates, impacts the tension. Longer strings generally require lower tension to produce the same pitch as shorter strings.
String Gauge (Thickness)
Thicker strings typically have higher tension. For example, in a set of gauge 10's, the A and D strings are 15% higher in tension than the others.
String Angle
The angle at which the strings press against the instrument's body is influenced by the bridge's height. A higher bridge will result in a sharper angle and increased tension.
String Weight
Heavier strings demand more tension to achieve the same pitch as lighter strings. For example, going from a 0.009" to a 0.010" string increases the tension from 13 lbs to 16 lbs.
Volume
Higher tension strings can produce more volume, but this may come at the cost of warmth and resonance. Lower tension strings, on the other hand, vibrate more freely, resulting in a warmer and more resonant tone.
Sound Quality
High-tension strings can make the instrument sound tighter and more focused but may constrain the sound and reduce its richness. Lower tension, meanwhile, can lead to a more balanced and natural overall sound.
Playability
Higher tension strings are harder to bend and can cause discomfort, as evidenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitar tech, who recalled the musician's shredded fingers after playing with very high tension. Lower tension strings, on the other hand, are more likely to go sharp when struck and may not hold their tuning as well.
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The feel of strings and tension
The feel of the strings and their tension are important factors in a guitarist's experience. Tension in strings is influenced by the diapason length or scale, with shorter scales resulting in less tension and longer scales resulting in greater tension. For example, the Gibson scale (24.75") is characterised by less tension, while the Fender scale (25.5") produces greater tension. This difference in tension between the two scales leads to a variation in the "feel" of the strings, with the same string gauge and tuning feeling softer on a Gibson and harder on a Stratocaster.
The tailpiece height also impacts the feel of the strings. Increasing the tailpiece height creates a smoother and softer attack, while lowering it results in a harder-feeling string with a greater attack, which is often preferred for rock genres. Guitars like the LES PAUL feature a height-adjustable string clamp, allowing players to customise the string tension according to their desired style or genre.
String gauge is another critical factor influencing string tension. Typically, thicker-gauge strings produce more tension when tuned to pitch. For instance, a Telecaster with 10-46 gauge strings will exhibit increased tension if changed to a heavier gauge like 11-49. Additionally, the specific notes or pitch being played on a string impact its tension. Tuning a .046" gauge string from a standard E note to a lower pitch like drop D reduces tension and makes the string feel looser, while tuning it up to an F increases tension.
The angle of incidence at the bridge and nut influences the perception of hardness in the strings when bending them. A higher angle of incidence at the saddles on the bridge side gives the impression of a harder string to pluck, even with a plectrum. This perception of hardness or softness affects the overall feel of the strings and the guitarist's playing experience.
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String tension and pitch
The relationship between string tension and pitch is an important one for guitarists to understand. String tension refers to the amount of tension or pressure that a string exerts when it is strung up on a guitar. This tension can be adjusted in various ways, such as by changing the string gauge or the tuning.
Firstly, it's important to understand the relationship between string tension and string gauge. The string gauge refers to the thickness of the string, and generally, thicker strings will have higher tension when tuned to pitch. For example, a Telecaster with 10-46 gauge strings will have lower tension than the same guitar with 11-49 gauge strings. Additionally, within a set of strings, certain strings may have higher or lower tension relative to the others. For instance, in a set of gauge 10's, the A and D strings are 15% higher in tension than the rest, while in a set of gauge 9's, the B string is 13% lower in tension.
The tuning of the guitar also affects string tension. Lowering the pitch of a string reduces tension, making the string feel looser, while increasing the pitch raises the tension. For example, a .046" string tuned to a standard E note exerts 17.5 lbs of tension, but when tuned down to D, the tension decreases to 13.9 lbs. Conversely, tuning the same string up to F increases the tension to 19.6 lbs. This relationship between tension and pitch is why some guitarists choose to use lower tunings to achieve a "looser" feel, while others may opt for higher tunings for a tighter, more "attack-oriented" sound.
The scale length of the guitar, which is the distance between the nut and the bridge, also influences string tension. Longer scale lengths, such as the 25.5" Fender scale, result in greater string tension compared to shorter scale lengths like the 24.75" Gibson scale. This difference in scale length is why many Gibson players prefer gauge 10 strings, while Fender players often opt for gauge 9 strings.
Lastly, it's worth noting that string tension can impact the playability and feel of a guitar. Higher tension strings can be harder to bend, while lower tension strings may be more prone to going sharp when struck and may hold tuning poorly. Adjusting the tailpiece height can also influence the feel of the strings, with higher tailpieces providing a smoother attack and a softer feel. Ultimately, the choice of string tension depends on the guitarist's preferences, the type of guitar, and the desired sound and playability.
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String tension and guitar type
The tension of a guitar string is influenced by several factors, including the type of guitar, string gauge, and diapason. Let's explore the relationship between string tension and guitar type:
Electric Guitars vs. Acoustic Guitars
When comparing electric and acoustic guitars, string gauge is typically the more prevalent factor considered, as manufacturers often provide technical information on string gauge rather than individual string tension. However, it's important to note that string tension can vary between electric and acoustic guitars due to differences in diapason lengths.
Electric Guitar Brands
Different electric guitar brands, such as Fender and Gibson, are known for their distinct diapason lengths, which influence string tension. Fender guitars, with their longer diapason, exhibit greater string tension compared to Gibson guitars with shorter diapasons. This variation in string tension contributes to the unique "feel" associated with each brand's instruments.
String Gauge Considerations
The string gauge refers to the thickness of the string, and it plays a crucial role in determining string tension. Typically, thicker strings result in higher tension when tuned to pitch. For example, a Telecaster with 10-46 gauge strings will exhibit lower tension compared to heavier gauge strings such as 11-49. Additionally, within the same guitar, different strings can have varying tensions. For instance, in a set of gauge 10's, the A and D strings are typically 15% higher in tension than the other strings.
Scale Length and Tension
The scale length of a guitar, which is the distance between the nut and the bridge, also affects string tension. A longer scale length, such as the 25.5" Fender scale, increases string tension compared to a shorter scale length like the 24.75" Gibson scale. This difference in scale length is one reason why players may prefer different string gauges on different guitar brands.
Adjusting String Tension
It's worth noting that string tension can be adjusted to suit different playing styles and preferences. For example, lowering the string clamp on a Les Paul can create a softer and sweeter attack, suitable for jazz or blues, while raising the stringlock can provide a more aggressive attack for rock genres. Additionally, changing the tuning of the guitar, such as tuning down to Drop D, will also affect the tension of the strings.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric guitar string tension depends on the scale length of the guitar. A longer scale length, such as the 25.5" Fender scale, will have higher string tension compared to a shorter scale length, such as the 24.75" Gibson scale.
Generally, a thicker gauge string will have higher tension when tuned to pitch. For example, a .046" gauge string tuned to a standard E note will exert 17.5 lbs of tension.
Higher tension strings are less likely to go sharp when struck and hold their tuning better. They also provide a harder-feeling string to bend, which some guitarists may prefer.
Lower tension strings are easier to bend and can be more comfortable for guitarists with tendinitis or arthritis issues. They are also preferable for older, vintage instruments with delicate bracing, as higher tension can put more stress on the guitar's components.
