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Old 02-23-2011, 12:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker View Post
The way I understand it, solos are designed to maintain "normal" tension when tuned UP a semitone on a standard 41.5" scale. So tuned down to EADG on a 41.5" scale reduces the tension quite a bit, which some people like.

However, to maintain that same lower tension on a 43" scale you'd need to tune down to Eb - so bringing it back up to EADG restores the tension almost to the "normal" spec.

So in fact, my logic would be that putting solos on may well be the LEASTdrastic of all changes!

And they are available and not too dear

Well, I don't know how the math works really so I suppose the tension might work out to be about right - but I think the problem has more to do with the fact that the solo strings are also thin. It isn't like they're a lower-tension string and can thus be tuned up a semitone; they're just a light gauge (thin) version of the same string. So tuned down (EADG), even if the tension of the longer string length is closer to normal, they still feel strange I think.


edit: actually, I'm not sure that makes sense. Have to think about this.
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