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String tension


fryer
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[quote name='fryer' post='1157016' date='Mar 10 2011, 06:25 PM']Just bought a new / used Hagstrom HB 4. The bottom, E, string seams a bit loose when in tune - the others are ok.

Do I need a thinner or thicker gauge string to allow more tension ?[/quote]
A thicker (or heavier gauge) string will have more tension as long as it's the same make/model of string as the one being replaced. If it's a different make/model of string then it will depend upon it's construction because string tension doesn't depend directly on gauge.

Tension depends upon three things only:

(1) frequency to which you tune it - that will remain the same with your replacement string;
(2) scale length - which will also remain the same;
(3) mass per unit length of the string - which will change if you use (A) a heavier gauge of the same make/model string or (B ) a different make/model of string with a different mass per unit length.

Edited by EssentialTension
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[quote name='LawrenceH' post='1157162' date='Mar 10 2011, 08:38 PM']But there is also compliance/elasticity, which is different and can in theory be affected by other factors like string length including that beyond nut/bridge, and the break angle and friction at those points.[/quote]
Yes, we've had this one many times before but here's the standard link:

[url="http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/perception.htm"]Lutherie Myth/Science: Human Perception of String Tension and Compliance in Stringed Musical Instruments[/url]

Edited by EssentialTension
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