STRING TENSION GHS STRINGS. Acoustic Guitar String Guide Updated April 2017 P L A Y W I T H T H E B E S T. Table of Contents

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1 STRING TENSION Table of Contents GHS STRINGS P L A Y W I T H T H E B E S T Acoustic Guitar String Guide Updated April 2 Introduction pg. 2 String Tension - A Primer pg. 2 How to Calculate Tension Frequency Chart Other Considerations pg. 2 Winding Technique String Materials String Geometry String Tension Charts pg. 3 Bright Bronze pg. 3 Contact Core Bright Bronze pg. 4 Bright Bronze Rollerwound Ground Phosphor Bronze Phosphor Bronze pg. 5 Signature Bronze pg. 6 Infinity Bronze pg. 7 White Bronze pg. 8 Silk and Steel pg. 9 Silk and Bronze Vintage Bronze pg. 10 Plain Steel Strings pg. 11 Final Thoughts pg. 11

2 Introduction Whether you are a luthier, a repair tech, or someone looking to find your ideal set for your application, string tension will play a role. It is with this in mind that we at GHS have put together our Acoustic Guitar String Guide, as a way to help you find the information you are looking for to help you in whatever role you fall. How to Calculate Tension String tension is the amount of force a string has when tuned to a specific pitch. To find out the tension of a particular string, you need three variables: the Unit Weight, the Scale Length, and the Frequency or Pitch of the string you will be using. We have taken the time to provide you with a comprehensive list of all of our current acoustic guitar strings, in single strings as well as in our pre-packaged sets. The formulas used to this end are the industry standard, and can be used to approximate other string tensions. For those guitarists that prefer to use altered - or down - tunings, we present our tension guide in such a way as to help facilitate your endeavors, to make choosing the ideal set of strings for your application much easier. UW L F UNIT WEIGHT: The weight of the string, measured in pounds per linear inch (lb/in). SCALE LENGTH: The vibrating length of a string. Measure the distance from the nut to the bridge of the instrument to find the scale length. GHS has used the 25.4 scale length in the enclosed guide. Your individual instrument may vary. FREQUENCY or PITCH: The specific pitch at which each note is expressed, represented in cycles per second (Hertz). To calculate the tension of a particular string in pounds, use the formula below, inserting the three needed variables. T (Tension) = (UW x (2 x L x F) 2 ) / For those looking for a specific tension, you can use the formula below to get the unit weight for your particular needs. With that, compare the unit weight against the ones listed in the following pages to find the string gauge that meets your needs. UW (Unit Weight) = (T x 386.4) / (2 x L x F) 2 PLEASE NOTE: We have provided this guide as a reference of the tension of our strings at various pitches. Please use caution when making sets that have extremely high tensions, as the set as a whole may put undue stress on the neck, as well as snap the core of the strings prematurely. Frequency Chart The chart below represents the frequency or pitch of each note, as it relates to the guitar fretboard. Standard tunings are shown in bold type; use the additional frequencies to calculate tension for strings when using altered tunings. E Hz F Hz F# Hz G Hz G# Hz A2 1 Hz A2 1 Hz A#2 1 Hz B2 1 Hz C Hz C# Hz D Hz D Hz D# Hz E Hz F Hz F# Hz G Hz G Hz G# Hz A Hz A# Hz B Hz C Hz B Hz C Hz C# Hz D Hz D#4 3 Hz E4 3 Hz E4 3 Hz F4 34 Hz F#4 36 Hz G Hz G# Hz A4 4 Hz Nut / Open First Fret Second Fret Third Fret Fourth Fret Fifth Fret Other Considerations A common misconception is that the tension of a string is the same as the feel of the string under your fingers. And while string tension plays a part, there are a number of other processes that will also have an affect on the tone and playability of a string. Winding Techniques: There are four types of winding techniques used for strings. The type providing the brightest tone (all else being equal) is the roundwound string. Next is the rollerwound, followed by the groundwound (also called a halfwound) and finally a flatwound. Roundwound Rollerwound Groundwound Flatwound String Materials: The hardness of common materials used in the cover wire of strings affects both the tone and feel of a string. Usually, with all else remaining constant, the harder the material the brighter the string. Common cover wire materials include (ranked by order of brightness) stainless steel, Alloy 52, nickel plated steel, pure nickel, and for acoustics, brass and bronze. String Geometry: String Geometry generally refers to the ratio of the core wire diameter to the cover wire diameter. These two parameters are utilized to come up with the final string gauge. All else remaining constant, a small core-to-cover ratio generally results in a string with greater flexibility and brighter tone. A larger coreto-cover ratio generally results in a string with greater volume, sustain, tone life and durability. Small Ratio Large Ratio 2 - GHS Acoustic Guitar String Guide

3 Bright Bronze - Tension 008 1/2 BB18 BB20 BB22 BB24 BB26 BB28 BB30 BB32 BB34 BB36 BB38 BB40 BB42 BB44 BB46 BB48 BB50 BB52 BB54 BB56 BB /20 Copper Zinc Alloy Wound on a Hex Core Wire Retains the Richness of Bronze, with a Crisp Sparkle to the Finish TOTAL 1-E BB10U ½ BB20 BB26 BB36 BB46 Ultra BB20X Extra BB30L BB40M BB50H Heavy BB BB24 2 BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB STRING SETS BB60X Extra BB80 BB100 TOTAL 1-E BB26 BB34 BB BB BB20 BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB30 Play With The Best - 3

4 Contact Core Bright Bronze - Tension CBB20 CBB22 CBB24 CBB26 CBB30 CBB32 CBB36 CBB38 CBB42 CBB46 CBB50 CBB54 CBB /20 Copper-Zinc Alloy Wound on a Hex Core Wire Exposed Core for Rich and Defined Bass Tone with Piano Like Clarity CCBB10 Ultra CCBB20 Extra TOTAL 1-E TOTAL 1-E 2-B 3-G 4-D 5-A CBB20 CBB26 CBB36 CBB46 CBB30 CBB24 CBB32 CBB42 CBB CBB22 CBB30 CBB38 CBB50 CBB CBB CBB CBB CBB Bright Bronze Rollerwound - Tension 38 Winding/40 Overall Length Wound Strings RB RB34 RB44 RB /20 Copper Zinc Alloy Wound on a Hex Core Wire Rollerwound for a Smooth Feel with Minimal Finger Noise Ground Phosphor Bronze - Tension 38 Winding/40 Overall Length Wound Strings SFB24 SFB28 SFB36 SFB46 SFB Copper-Tin-Phosphor Alloy Wound on a Hex Core Wire Ground Smooth for a Mellow Tone with No Finger Noise GHS Acoustic Guitar String Guide

5 Phosphor Bronze - Tension 008 1/2 B18 B20 B22 B24 B26 B28 B30 B32 B34 B36 B38 B40 B42 B44 B46 B48 B50 B52 B54 B56 B Copper-Tin-Phosphor Alloy Wound on a Hex Core High End Shimmer without Harsh Overtones TOTAL 1-E DDS325 ½ B22 B30 B42 B54 Doyle Dykes, S315 Extra S325 TM335 True S Heavy B B B B26 B B B B B B B B B B B B B54 B56 2 B56 2 B STRING SETS 605 Extra TOTAL 1-E B26 B34 B B B B26 B B B B B48 B26 2 B B Play With The Best - 5

6 Signature Bronze - Tension LJ11 LJ12 LJ13 LJ14 LJ16 LJ17 LJ19 LJ22 LJ24 LJ26 LJ30 LJ32 LJ36 LJ38 LJ42 LJ46 LJ50 LJ54 LJ Copper-Tin-Phosphor Alloy Wound over a Hex Core Wire Cryogenically Treated for Extended Longevity Bronze-Plated Plain Steel Strings LJ20X Ultra LJ30L TOTAL E TOTAL 1-E 2-B 3-G 4-D 5-A LJ11 LJ14 LJ22 LJ30 LJ38 LJ50 LJ40TM LJ13 LJ17 LJ24 LJ32 LJ42 LJ True LJ12 2 LJ LJ LJ LJ LJ LJ40M LJ LJ17 LJ LJ LJ LJ GHS Acoustic Guitar String Guide

7 Infinity Bronze - Tension LJ11 LJ12 LJ13 LJ14 LJ16 LJ17 LJ19 IB22 IB24 IB26 IB30 IB32 IB36 IB38 IB42 IB46 IB50 IB54 IB Coated 80/20 Copper Zinc Alloy Wound over a Hex Core Wire Extra Longevity with Increased Brightness Bronze-Plated Plain Steel Strings TOTAL 1-E IB 20X LJ11 LJ14 IB22 IB30 IB38 IB50 Ultra IB30L IB40M LJ12 2 LJ LJ LJ17 IB IB IB IB IB IB IB IB Play With The Best - 7

8 White Bronze - Tension WB20 WB22 WB24 WB26 WB30 WB32 WB36 WB38 WB42 WB46 WB48 WB50 WB52 WB54 WB Nickel-Iron Alloy 52 Wound on a Hex Core Ideal for Acoustic/Electric Guitars Extra Volume, Clarity and Shimmer TOTAL 1-E WB-XL WB20 WB26 WB36 WB48 Extra WB-TL True WB-L WB-M WB WB24 2 WB WB WB32 2 WB WB WB WB WB WB WB STRING SETS WB-12L TOTAL 1-E WB20 WB30 WB38 WB WB WB GHS Acoustic Guitar String Guide

9 Silk and Steel - Tension Unit Weight G4 F#4 F4 E4 D#4 D4 C#4 C4 B3 A#3 A3 G#3 G3 F#3 F E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C3 Silver Plated Copper Wound on a Round Core Wire Silk run the Length of the Core, to give a Rich, Mellow Sound with a Feel B2 A#2 A2 G#2 G2 F#2 F2 E2 D#2 D2 C#2 C2 B1 A#1 A1 G# S S S S S S S S S S S TOTAL 1-E 345 S20 S26 S34 S S S S S STRING SETS TOTAL 1-E S20 S26 S34 S S S S S S S Silk and Bronze - Tension Unit Weight G4 F#4 F4 E4 D#4 D4 C#4 C4 B3 A#3 A3 G#3 G3 F#3 F E3 D#3 D3 C#3 C3 Copper-Tin-Phosphor Alloy Wound on a Round Core Wire Silk run the Length of the Core, to give a Sweet, Warm Sound with a Feel B2 A#2 A2 G#2 G2 F#2 F2 E2 D#2 D2 C#2 C2 B1 A#1 A1 G# SB SB SB SB SB SB SB SB TOTAL 1-E 370 SB23 SB29 SB39 SB SB SB SB SB STRING SETS L TOTAL 1-E SB23 SB29 SB39 SB SB SB Play With The Best - 9

10 Vintage Bronze - Tension 1/2 VN20 VN22 VN24 VN26 VN28 VN30 VN32 VN34 VN36 VN38 VN40 VN42 VN46 VN48 VN50 VN54 VN56 VN /15 Copper Zinc Alloy Wound on a Hex Core Wire Warm and Rich Tone Perfect for those Overly Bright Guitars TOTAL 1-E VN-UL ½ VN20 VN26 VN36 VN46 Ultra VN-XL Extra VN-L VN-B Bluegrass VN-M VN VN24 2 VN VN VN30 VN VN36 VN36 VN VN42 2 VN VN VN VN VN56 2 VN STRING SETS VN-12CL Custom VN-12L TOTAL 1-E VN20 VN26 VN36 VN VN VN20 VN30 VN VN VN GHS Acoustic Guitar String Guide

11 Plain Steel - Tension /2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/ Overall Length Final Thoughts This tension guide is just that; a guide. You re the expert at your own personal playing style and needs, so if something doesn t feel/sound right, you can change it. Music is a very organic art form, so while you can start with science, you perfect it by touch and feel. If you re perfectly happy with playing a pre-packaged set of strings, GREAT! If you re excited about putting together that balanced tension set, GREAT! If you want to try a set with less/more tension than what you re used to, GREAT! You re playing. You re learning. That s the important part. We ll provide the strings; you provide the inspiration High-Grade Carbon Steel Wire Proprietary Lock-Twist on Ball End Incredible Stability and Durability Play With The Best - 11

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