Pedal Steel Guitar String Gauges

For pedal steel the choices are more limited due to the physics of raising and lowering strings.

Pedal steel guitar string gauges.

Care must be taken when selecting string gauges to get the proper amount tension on all of the strings. The scale length of a pedal steel is the distance from the center of the changer finger to the the center of the nut roller the full vibrating string length. The string gauge chart below could be used as a general guide for pedal steel guitar but is primarily aimed at steel guitar without pedals. Depending on your tuning and other factors there is leeway and room for personal choice when stringing up a straight steel guitar.

The pedal steel guitar makes severe demands on electric guitar strings. Good strings keep your guitar sounding its best stay in tune better and sustain longer. Pedal steel guitar strings are available in many different tunings. The chart below will serve as a guide for making up custom sets of strings for a pedal steel guitar.

Most pedal steels have a scale length in the range of 24 to 24 5 though a few are 25 or longer. We carry string sets designed for 10 string c6th and e9th tunings as well as 12 string sets. Our goal is to provide the very best set of strings for each individual pedal steel guitar and we continue to strive for that goal. These sets will work on pedal steels some table steels and lap steel guitars.

It is normally recommended to use between a 013 to a 015 gauge string for a high e note. Pedal steel guitar strings are designed to be used only on steel guitars. Changing gauges or brands may require some adjustments to the travel action and balance of the various pulls. The gauges are based on the ability of a string to retain its memory accurately over time.

To use this chart select the gauge from the highest pitch created on. Beloved steel guitar legend jerry byrd 1920 2005 said he preferred to use a 016 string for his top e string. Ernie ball pedal steel 10 string c6 tuning nickel wound electric guitar strings are precision manufactured to the highest standards and most exacting specifications to ensure consistency optimum performance and long life. The following chart shows recommended guages for each pitch over the entire range of the instrument.

Strings are the lifeblood of your steel guitar. If you re new to the pedal steel guitar it can be intimidating to look at 20 or so strings and imagine the time and expense of changing them all.