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Post subject: string tension in a stratocaster
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:32 am
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Is the same string tension in a stratocaster (25 1/2 scale) strung with 0.10-0.46 than a 24 3/4 guitar strung 0.11-0.49? More, less?

Has the angle of the headstock something to be with the tension?

Also the kind of bridge of a guitar (tailpiece, tune o matic, etc) affects the tension? I mean two 24 3/4 scale guitars with different bridges has the same tension?

Thanks a lot.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:03 am
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I am not sure but if I had to guess I would say No.
I imagine that the string tension between two different gauges with a different scale neck are not going to balanced in the way you are questioning. Maybe I am wrong but I don't think these elements are likely to be in scale with each other like that.

Also the strat headstocks aren't really angled, they are straight. But if a headstock is angled it makes sense to me that it would effect string tension.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:48 am
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Hi eladin: with guitars of a given scale length the tension to bring a string of a certain gauge to pitch will always be the same regardless of what goes on beyond the nut and saddles. Headstock angle, the distance the string has to travel to the tuner, through body stringing, etc etc etc, have nothing to do with the tension necessary along the "speaking length" of the string to produce a note. (Speaking length is the distance between the saddle and the nut.)

For a test, try stringing the top and bottom strings on a Strat both with 10s and tune them both to top e. The strings have different breaking angles across the nut and different runs to their tuners: but tuned to the same note they have the same tension.

A heavier gauge string has to be tuned to a higher tension to produce the same note. Compare stringing your guitar with 9s or 10s. The heavier strings exert more tension at a given pitch.

Guitars with shorter scale lengths require the strings to set at a lower tension to produce the same note. String a Les Paul and a Strat both with 10s and compare the tension on the top e strings. Lower tension on the Les Paul - easier to bend those strings.

Some different but related issues...

Cheers - C


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