Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
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rah3
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:44 am Posts: 17
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Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
Hey Stickists,
I'm having trouble getting the 1st string to pitch without breaking.
On the Alto I'm using the 1st string in either Greg or Bob's Extended tuning. When approaching the High A, a fourth above "guitar high E", the string pops.
This is first time I'm having issues changing strings.
Any suggested "secrets"?
Thanking everyone in advance for assistance.
- RAH3
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Sun Jun 12, 2022 12:39 pm |
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mahabresq
Site Donor
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:55 am Posts: 185
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
Try with 0.08. It should work fine. From what I remember in the SE string set, it is even thinner. Rather, however, it will be hard for you to buy one single.
_________________ 10-String 5↓4↑ Internally C Matched Padouk Stick #351 with XXL GK & Stickup 12-String 5↓4↑ Internally C Matched XG Grand Stick #5428 with dual GK & Custom Pickups 10-String 5↓4↑ Internally A Matched Tarara Alto Stick #5689 with GK & Stickup
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Sun Jun 12, 2022 1:47 pm |
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rah3
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:44 am Posts: 17
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
mahabresq, Thanks for quick reply. - RAH3
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Sun Jun 12, 2022 2:41 pm |
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gpoorman
Elite Contributor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:45 pm Posts: 1733 Location: Leelanau County, MI
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
For both the "Greg's" and "Bob's" tuning, the highest string is a .007. I've used the "Greg's" tuning for many many years and it's extremely rare that I break a string. If you use a .008, you'll likely break tuning up to that high A. For the rare occasion that something happens, I keep extras that are not from SE. D'Addario makes a high carbon steel .007 in their NYXL set. If you search for D'Addario NYS007 (that's the singleton) you should find it. I know Strings By Mail has the singletons ( http://www.stringsbymail.com). I'm kind of partial to them as they're local and their owner is a really good guy. I nabbed about a half dozen around 10 years ago but have only used one.
_________________ Glenn http://www.121normal.com
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Sun Jun 12, 2022 3:22 pm |
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rah3
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:44 am Posts: 17
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
gpoorman, Thanks for the reply. - RAH3
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Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:01 am |
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rah3
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 5:44 am Posts: 17
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
gpoorman,
Thanks again for the referral to Strings by Mail. Great company. Excellent customer service and communication. Your suggestion of the NYS007 singles really did the trick.
- RAH3
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Fri Jun 17, 2022 4:25 am |
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ixlramp
Contributor
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2019 6:18 pm Posts: 171 Location: UK
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
Interesting fact about plain steel strings ...
For a particular pitch and vibrating length (in this case, A4 and 25"): As you alter gauge, tension and 'yield force' (the maximum tension the string can withstand) both vary in exactly the same way, both are proportional to the cross-sectional area of the string. This suggests that for a particular pitch and vibrating length, all gauges are equally breakable. (Although, there might be some real-world factors that slightly alter this behaviour.) This would mean that the choice of gauge is only determined by tension preference.
So it seems a .008 is not necessarily more breakable than a .007, it will have more tension, but also more ability to withstand tension, it will have a different tone, and perhaps more volume. I suspect the choice of .007 in the official Alto string sets is more due to a preference for low tension than reliability (i might be wrong). It might be worth trying a .008 to see how it behaves, and to discover your preferred tension.
A4 over 25" is very close to the practical limit for steel, so needs careful setup, and a high strength steel (such as D'Addario NYXL) is helpful.
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Wed Sep 14, 2022 10:32 am |
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gpoorman
Elite Contributor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:45 pm Posts: 1733 Location: Leelanau County, MI
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Re: Alto and SG12 Classic 1st string question
I reliably broke the 0.008s with the tuning I use until Emmett started sending me 0.007s. That was before I started buying the NYXL strings as spares. I have broken 0.007s but ... maybe ... twice in ten years.
_________________ Glenn http://www.121normal.com
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Wed Sep 14, 2022 12:12 pm |
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