String Tension 101+Modern music has become so sub-divided and fragmented that there is no longer one turn-key string solution for every playing style or desired sound. At one point in time, there were no standardized string gauges, but John D’Addario Sr.
FAQ Stringed Instruments: Banjo, Banjo Uke, Ukulele, Banjolele. How do you play a banjolele? We discourage the use of metal banjo strings. Don’t be afraid to change and experiment with strings (try a low G – it sounds great!) I’m left handed. How do I change the strings so I can play?
Changed all that in 1939 with the introduction of light, medium and heavy gauges for acoustic instruments. Throughout most of the 20th century, standardized electric and acoustic guitar gauges were sufficient for needs. Occasionally, new gauges (often hybrids of existing sets), were created for specific purposes and string offerings from manufacturers became immense. However, today there are so many popular styles and trends that it is often necessary for players to go outside of standard gauge sets to get the effect they desire. Whether it’s open tunings, drop tunings, baritone guitars, 5-string guitars, 7-string guitars or a variety of other reasons, many players are opting to go their own way and customize their string selection and sound.Why Do You Need To Know About String Tension?D’Addario receives hundreds of inquiries each year from players who have questions or problems to solve related to string gauges or tensions. To assist players in determining the appropriate string for their needs, we created the Online String Tension Guide, a complete book of charts for determining the appropriate string to be used in just about any situation. The guide includes formulas for determining string tension for any string on any instrument type or scale length using three basic measurements: the Unit Weight, the Scale Length of the instrument, and the Frequency of the string.
![Banjo Changing Between Nylon And Metal Strings Banjo Changing Between Nylon And Metal Strings](/uploads/1/2/5/3/125385082/902044925.jpg)
If scientific formulas aren’t your strong point, we have pitch/tension charts for just about every string we make, including electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, and bass guitar.T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F)2) / 386.4String Tension Facts and FiguresBefore we dig in to examples of how to determine various string tensions, here is a brief summary of what string tension is and what effect it has on your instrument and your playing.Guitar Fingerboard Layout(Standard Tuning)String tension is determined by vibrating length, mass, and pitch. The string diameter alone does not determine a string’s tension. By using different raw materials (nickelplated steel or phosphor bronze, etc.) or by varying the ratio between the core and the wrap wire, two strings with the same diameter, tuned to the same pitch, could have two different tensions.There are many factors other than string gauge that determine the actual and perceived string tension on your instrument:. Scale length, or the distance between the nut and the saddle.