Pedal Steel Guitar String Gauges

Pedal steel guitar strings are available in many different tunings.

Pedal steel guitar string gauges.

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. Pedal steel 10 string c6 tuning nickel wound electric guitar strings 12 66 gauge. 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. 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.

Changing gauges or brands may require some adjustments to the travel action and balance of the various pulls. For pedal steel the choices are more limited due to the physics of raising and lowering strings. Good strings keep your guitar sounding its best stay in tune better and sustain longer. 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.

Beloved steel guitar legend jerry byrd 1920 2005 said he preferred to use a 016 string for his top e string. Jagwire strings is the only string company 100 devoted to the pedal steel. It is normally recommended to use between a 013 to a 015 gauge string for a high e note. Strings are the lifeblood of your steel guitar.

Pedal steel guitar strings are designed to be used only on steel guitars. Jerry liked the tone obtained from using a slightly thicker gauge string. These sets will work on pedal steels some table steels and lap steel guitars. The chart below will serve as a guide for making up custom sets of strings for a pedal steel guitar.

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 gauges are based on the ability of a string to retain its memory accurately over time. Care must be taken when selecting string gauges to get the proper amount tension on all of the strings. Depending on your tuning and other factors there is leeway and room for personal choice when stringing up a straight steel guitar.

To use this chart select the gauge from the highest pitch created on. Most pedal steels have a scale length in the range of 24 to 24 5 though a few are 25 or longer.