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String tension v playing

Dan Shipway

Slim Shady
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    726
    158
    9
  • #1
    I have restrung my guitar today after a long time of playing in d standard/ drop c. It is now tuned to E standard and it is a pain to work with. Does the change in tension also affect ease of play? It doesn’t really help how glossy they are, They sound amazing but they are way too slippy haha.
    Just wondered if anyone else has the same issues
    Any help would be massively appreciated.
     

    Ed Seith

    Supreme Galactic Overlord
    Staff member
    Legend+
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    3,882
    15
    6,603
    54
    Marana, AZ USA
    soundcloud.com
    35
  • #2
    Absolutely. And if you’re using the same gauge of strings for tuning an entire step sharper, you’ll likely need a setup, too. You could consider a lighter gauge of strings – If you were using 11s for D standard, try 10s for standard. If you were using 10s, try 9s. That will make the transition notably easier, for you and the neck of the guitar.
     

    Jake Arnold

    Free Bird Player
    Nov 11, 2019
    49
    0
    31
    Traverse City
  • #7
    I was going to say the same thing as Ed, Also your neck may have moved a little bit being in D standard with light strings. Someone years ago told me that if the guitar is set up in standard E (with say, 10s) use heavier gauge strings if you drop the tuning down to even out the tension on the neck so that it doesn’t move around. You may just need a truss rod adjustment (I think). Ed probably knows a lot more than I do but those are just my thoughts on it.
     

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