What gauges should I use? Thanks

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 27 Oct 2001 9:23 pm

I have a 6 string Dobro like guitar and I'm tuning it to B6th. Please advise me as to the lowest (thickist) guages I should use for all 6 strings.
And one more thing, does (or did) Jerry Byrd use flat wound strings?
Thanks, Don McClellan

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 28 Oct 2001 12:19 am

You should go to the top of this page, click on "Articles" then find Bobby Lee's String Gauge Guide - he lists different gauges for each pitch. It's for nickel or stainless pedal steel strings, but it should give you a starting point. If you're concerned about warping, GHS has a nifty string tension calculator at their site, ghsstrings.com. Click on "electric guitar strings" or "acoustic guitar strings" and follow the guide. Scale length makes a difference. I use electric strings on everything, but that's just because between short and long scale electric guitars, the pedal steel, and various oddly-tuned raised-nut pawnshop beater lap guitars I seem to have every string gauge imaginable lying around here somewhere.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 29 Oct 2001 10:01 am

If my notes are accurate, Jerry Byrd used to use (in the days of his Rick and the Opry)
flat wound Black Diamond strings on his last two (bottom) strings...... the first four strings being unwound, non-wound or whatever. Ole "Hotpoint" Keoki Lake would have the latest word on the topic of Jerry Byrd and his strings!