String tension: does my guitar need to be readjusted when I place a different type or thickness of strings?
This was an interesting question we recently received from our Guitar Studio website. Not to spin around the pot, the answer is “yes” ! The tension of the strings depends on the thickness of the string, material and pitch. This table below serves as an example and is based on D’Addario nickel wound [NW] and plain steel [PL] strings for 6-string electric guitars with 25.5″ neck scale in standard tuning/tuning.
Heavier (thicker) strings need to be stretched tighter to produce the same pitch. The values in kg (kilogram) show why thicker strings are more difficult to play and bend, and also give a good idea of why a guitar should be adjusted according to the type of strings. If you have bought a guitar that came with a 009-042 string set and want to switch to, for example, a 011-049 set for a fuller sound, be sure to have your guitar adjusted to this tension: the curvature of the guitar neck must be adjusted, in many cases also the bridge, In some cases also the action (height between fret and string) and the comb. Once your guitar has been adjusted by a guitar specialist or luthier, it is advisable to place the same thickness and type of strings on your guitar afterwards.
Some examples of d’Addario strings
d’Addario 9-42 Standard Set
E: .009″ [PL] = 5,96 kg
B: .011″ [PL] = 4,99 kg
G: .016″ [PL] = 6,66 kg
D: .024″ [NW] = 7,15 kg
A: .032″ [NW] = 7,15 kg
E: .042″ [NW] = 6,7 kg
Total pulling force = 38,61 kg
d’Addario 10-46 Standard Set
E: .010″ [PL] = 7,35 kg
B: .013″ [PL] = 6,98 kg
G: .017″ [PL] = 7,52 kg
D: .026″ [NW] = 8,35 kg
A: .036″ [NW] = 8,86 kg
E: .046″ [NW] = 7,93 kg
Total pulling force = 46,99 kg
d’Addario 11-49 Standard Set
E: .011″ [PL] = 8,9 kg
B: .014″ [PL] = 8,09 kg
G: .018″ [PL] = 8,43 kg
D: .028″ [NW] = 9,66 kg
A: .038″ [NW] = 9,79 kg
E: .049″ [NW] = 8,93 kg
Total pulling force = 53,8 kg
d’Addario 12-54 Standard Set
E: .012″ [PL] = 10,59 kg
B: .016″ [PL] = 10,57 kg
G: .020″ [PL] = 10,4 kg
D: .032″ [NW] = 12,75 kg
A: .042″ [NW] = 11,93 kg
E: .054″ [NW] = 10,97 kg
Total pulling force = 67,21 kg