Quote:
Originally Posted by guitar344
Because I had strings break after going up a half step. I want to see how many notes the strings can tune past their intended tension. I'm figuring how to do it mathematically.
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The G (3rd) string on a six-er is the tightest string, with the thinnest core. If you are going to break one going too high, that is the most likely. The comparatively tiny 0.009" octave strings in a 12-string set are also vulnerable and break often of you go past concert pitch for them.
I play in several altered tunings. Most strings are slackened from normal pitch (hence the term Hawaiian "slack-key"). But some tunings tighten certain strings up too. In the blues world, open E tuning (open D plus one step) and open A tuning (open G plus one step) are done commonly. Working through these tunings, I think that at one time or another all six strings get tuned up a whole step from normal. I also accidentally go past pitch sometimes when tuning up new strings for the first time. You should be good at a whole step up and even 1½ steps on some strings, but beyond that you are definitely testing the tensile strength of the string.
And testing the glue joint on your guitar bridge.
As for doing it mathematically, I am a mechanical engineer and see where you are coming from. But to be perfectly candid, unless you are doing a project for a class, my gently offered opinion is that you are seriously over-thinking this issue.
Hope this has been a useful discussion.
10-21-2014, 12:27 PM
