EvO:R Entertainment The Ask Rick Andrews Section

Hello, this is Rick Andrews owner of Andrews Guitar and a long time member of EvO:R. This section has been put together to help you with your guitar related questions. I did not agree to do this so I could simply plug my guitars, I did this so you could finally have answers to many of those burning questions you may have had about your guitar.

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Question- String tension
From: Mark Humphrey
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 2:36 PM
Subject: String tension

Hello,
I'm attempting something that most say is inadvisable. But, I think it can be done. I have a beautiful 1960 Martin 00-28G which is fan braced for gut or nylon strings. I bought it for the incredible Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. I'm a flat top acoustic player, and I don't care for the feel (or sound) of nylon strings.

So, I want to put very light gauge silk and steel strings on it and tune down a whole step. The tension lbs. on this 25.5" scale guitar tuned to concert pitch is 122.2 lbs. for these strings. A typical set of classical hard tension strings pull at 90 tension lbs. It seems to me, by tuning down one whole step, I would bring the tension of the silk and steels very near, or maybe even below, 90 tension lbs. There must be some way to calculate exactly what the tension lbs. would be under the above described circumstances.

I appreciate any advice/direction/opinion/etc. you may be able to offer.
Thank you,

Mark Humphrey

Ricks Answer to - String tension
From: Rick Andrews
To: Mark Humphrey
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 2:24 AM
Subject: Re: String tension

Well I must say you have done your research very well and you know what you are talking about.

There is no doubt in my mind the string tension will be less than that of the classical strings if you tune down the one octave as you said. Those light guage strings will be limp as a fresh wet noodle, and you talk about easy to play, you should have very little resistance at all.

I love your idea about this. I have been toying around with some new ideas myself very similar and I already know there are some awesome tone ranges droping down in tuning. Of course this will effect the resonation of the Martin top but I think you will pick up some fantastic bass tones in that box by doing this.

As far as string tension on the neck goes, if anything you may see the neck bow backward the opposite direction beause I am sure in my mind the tension will be less and the rod will take over a little, but you can always adjust and allow for what becomes necessary.

I think it is a terrific idea and no problem on the tension. Let me know how it works out.

Rick Andrews
Andrews Guitar

Rick Andrews
Andrews Guitar

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