string tension and vintage 1960’s rickenbacker 12

Prepared by: Simon Edwards of 4 Date: 20/05/2012 File: 140526 String Tension Paper Rev Initial Issue SRE

STRING TENSION AND VINTAGE 1960’S RICKENBACKER 12

STRING ELECTRIC GUITARS

1. INTRODUCTION

1960’s Vintage Rickenbacker 300 Series twelve string guitars with “set neck” construction are, over

time, known to experience changes in the neck to body angle. This can lead to valuable instruments

becoming difficult or impossible to play as the bridge runs out of downward adjustment to

compensate for the changing neck angle, and a very high string action becomes evident. The only

way to rectify the problem at this point, is to have the guitars neck to body connection re-set. The

problem is widely attributed to a combination of three factors, the design of the connection,

construction methods and string tension. This study was only to address the final factor, string

tension, as it is the only variable that can be controlled effectively without resorting to intrusive repair

to the instrument.

A second concern for owners of this type of guitar has been reported structural failures of the ‘R’

type string tail piece used on many models made since the 1980’s. The material composition used

to cast this item has apparently changed a number of times over the decades. Guitars with original

manufacturer supplied strings have been known to break the tailpiece, most probably due to string

tension on instruments made from approximately the late 1980’s and through the 1990’s.

Instruments from the 1960’s and 70’s have a different casting pattern and material makeup that is

more robust and typically have not been known to fail with any great regularity.

2. BACKGROUND – STRING TENSION

For the majority of enthusiasts string tension is most commonly determined for musical instruments

by using long standing and well understood physics formulas. This method is commonly described

in high school physics text books and of course is readily found on the internet.

Tension is commonly predicted by calculation rather than by measurement, by all but the string

manufacturers themselves. Obviously calculation methods are considerably less expensive and the

results are considered by many luthiers and enthusiasts to give acceptably accurate tension data.

However on the fragile neck design of the early Rickenbacker twelve string guitars, string tension is

critical and more accurate data would be valuable to owners of such instruments.

Available tension data from various manufacturers may not all be obtained with the same methods

and not all manufacturers publish their data. As such valid comparisons of measured tension

between types and makers are difficult to make, particularly when methodologies are not published

or understood.

3. STRING CONSTRUCTION

A wound strings construction make up, techniques of assembly, tolerances, materials utilised and

possibly the strings age can make for a complex set of variables. Each manufacturer varies these

parameters from one another in some obvious and in some very subtle ways.

These variables were studied by measurement and dissection for a number of the string sets to see

how they were constructed. This information is presented in the first table.


4. OBJECTIVE and COMENTARY ON STRING SETS TESTED

Debate surrounding the best type or maker of strings flourishes amongst enthusiasts even on the

single focus point of tension. The objective of this brief paper is to present the results of a

comprehensive set of measurements of string tension for a number of popularly used sets of strings

on Rickenbacker 12 string guitars. In addition to these modern string sets, one new old stock set of

Rickenbacker Redbox strings was also tested.

The sets tested were selected based upon what gauges were deemed to be widely available and

commonly used today by 1960’s period music enthusiasts. Sets and types that are commonly

debated on internet forums were targeted that fitted into this criteria.

Once preliminary testing had been completed two specially ordered sets of very light 0.009” gauge

strings were added to the testing, one from Thomastik Infeld (TI) and one from Pyramid. A set of

these very light strings (TI’s) was also sent to the owner of a 360/12c63 for playability testing.

As this undertaking was carried out entirely by a very small group of private enthusiasts, the number

of sets was limited on financial grounds. It is noted that other sets may be relatively commonly used

at present also. A total of eleven sets of strings were tested.

A key objective was to present the tension results to other enthusiasts in a completely impartial

manner.

5. METHODS and OBSERVATIONS

A testing rig was devised with importance placed around a robust design that would produce

consistently repeatable and accurate results.

Key Design Points of the Testing Rig:

a. The scale length of the string placed in tension was set at 628mm (24.75”), the scale length

used on the 300 series full scale Rickenbacker 12 string instruments.

b. A substantial hardwood chassis formed the basis of the test rig. In testing this proved to behave

consistently in deflection as it was clamped to a substantial steel engineering workshop bench.

It was essential that the chassis was tested for deflection only in that it would yield consistent

behaviour and hence results in repeated testing.

c. The key instrument used was a precision Shimpo digital force gauge that had been recently lab

calibrated and certified. The gauge had a simple clevis attachment designed for it in an

arrangement that allowed a string to be wound around it three times. This set one end of the

string.

d. The string then extended along the scale length and passed over a vintage Rickenbacker 360

type guitar bridge, and then extended at a break angle the same as a 1966 360/12, down to a

Gotoh guitar tuner, thus allowing the string to be brought up to tension for any desired

frequency.

e. A chromatic digital Korg tuner was used for setting frequencies. Each string was stretched and

retuned several times to 441Hz concert pitch, as per standard guitar stringing practice.


Method:

a. Strings were installed on the test rig and tested individually, not complete sets of twelve strings

at a time.

b. The ball end of the strings was excluded from the effective scale length placed into tension for

testing.

c. The method utilised for testing was focused upon obtaining the best possible tension data that

would relate to strings as they would be used on a guitar. Results were recorded into a

spreadsheet directly in both metric and imperial units, and graphed.

d. Imperial units of measurement are almost universally used as the primary unit for string tension

data, so this was used for graphing purposes and total tension calculation

e. Ones fingers get quite sore after so much testing.

Observations:

It is noted that Pyramid strings have now reverted back to round cores for their strings, only one set

of hexagonal cored Pyramid strings were tested.

All strings were measured at a number of points along their length to obtain the outer diameter and

for wrapped strings the core was also checked in this manner.

Once strings were removed from the rig they were kinked at both ends, as anybody changing strings

would see when removing a string from a tuner string post, as such the testing proved to be

somewhat destructive by method.

6. RESULTS and INTERPRETAION

The results of tension testing are presented in the Appendix for the reader to interpret and utilise as

they see fit.

Tension data is tabulated for each individual string in Pounds of Force (Lbsf) and also in Kilograms

of Force (Kgf).

A further test was carried out and tabulated for some strings, whereby the string was deflected

downward 2mm to simulate the string being fretted and that tension figure is also presented. It can

be seen that additional tension was negligible with respect to the amount of additional tension that

the guitars neck connection must withstand. This could seemly weight to a study carried out by Bob

Benedetto into the ability of humans being able to perceive tension differences through their finger

tips.

The key figure for consideration by the reader is the total tension for any given set of strings tested,

as this is what the instrument has to withstand in practice

For each set of strings a complimentary polyline-fitted graph is provided that depicts the individual

string tension and provides a level of insight into the balance of the strings in each set.

The overlay graph provides a good visual comparative tool for seeing the relative tension between

all sets tested.


7. CONCLUSIONS

It can be seen that in practical terms there is very little difference in tension for the plain strings of

the same nominal gauge, regardless of manufacturer. However there are some notable differences

amongst the various types and makes of wound strings.

The Octave strings for the A and E strings have a relatively significant impact for all sets.

It may be argued that most of the gauges tested are too high in tension for valuable vintage

instruments. Clearly the extremely light gauged 0.008” to 0.032w” set of vintage Maxima strings

(Rickenbacker Redbox set) tested applies a significantly lower tension to an instrument.

Intonation of different gauge string sets is not addressed within this study, however there are many

articles available via the internet on the issues associated with varying string gauge pairs and twelve

string guitars.

A significant body of string data now exists that allows custom sets to be assembled and informed

decisions to be made by owners of valuable vintage instruments.

8. FUTURE EXPERIMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

It would be highly desirable to be able to test a set of vintage Maxima or Selmer nickel flat wound

strings, as would have been commonly fitted to the early 12 string models by the instrument

manufacturer in the 1960’s. The effects on tension due to age of such old strings is another area of

debate, that will not be entered into here.

Further testing of alternative and/or custom sets may take place and be published in the future. This

would be desirable to allow a larger number of custom gauge sets to be deduced from the individual

string data available.

Another worthwhile test data set may be to re-test the most popular 0.010 sets tuned down in pitch

by half a step E-flat, which is not an uncommon practice amongst owners of vintage 12 string

instruments, to determine how significant the drop in tension would be.

Requests from third parties for testing to the same methods as above, may be considered on the

basis that strings are supplied.

It would be interesting to repeat this experimental process for a number bass guitar string sets.

Simon Edwards and Karl Teten, May 2012.

[DOCUMENT ENDS]

RICKENBACKER ELECTRIC 12 STRING SETS CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS (Selected Sets Only)

Plain Plain Plain Wound Core%

Core/ODPlain Wound Core

%

Core/ODWound Core

%

Core/ODWound Core % Core/OD Wound Core

%

Core/ODWound Core % Core/OD Comments

BRAND /

SETUNIT e B

Octave Octave Octave Octave

REDBOX 484 Imperial (") 0.0075 0.0100 0.0750 0.0120 N/A 0.0095 0.0210 0.0125 0.5952 0.0120 N/A 0.0265 0.0155 0.5849 0.0220 0.0125 0.5682 0.0325 0.0155 0.4769 Unopened vintage Rick/Maxima.

Metric (mm) 0.1905 0.2540 1.9050 0.3048 N/A 0.2413 0.5334 0.3175 0.3048 N/A 0.6731 0.3937 0.5588 0.3175 0.8255 0.3937

RIC95404 Imperial (") 0.0950 0.0125 0.0950 0.0205 0.0110 0.5366 0.0125 0.0255 0.0140 0.5490 0.0205 0.0110 0.5366 0.0340 0.0155 0.4559 0.0255 0.0140 0.5490 0.0405 0.0165 0.4074RIC's 2010 standard 12 string set. Compressed

round wound

Metric (mm) 2.4130 0.3175 2.4130 0.5207 0.2794 0.3175 0.6477 0.3556 0.5207 0.2794 0.8636 0.3937 0.6477 0.3556 1.0287 0.4191

Pyramid 308/12 Imperial (") 0.0095 0.0125 0.0095 0.0195 0.0115 0.5897 0.0125 0.0240 0.0105 0.4375 0.0195 0.0105 0.5385 0.0320 0.0140 0.4375 0.0250 0.0105 0.4200 0.0370 0.0140 0.3784 Pyramids Ultra Light Set direct from factory

Metric (mm) 0.2413 0.3175 0.2413 0.4953 0.2921 0.3175 0.6096 0.2667 0.4953 0.2667 0.8128 0.3556 0.6350 0.2667 0.9398 0.3556

Pyramid 09-34 Imperial (") 0.0095 0.0125 0.0095 0.0190 0.0100 0.5263 0.0125 0.0230 0.0100 0.4348 0.0190 0.0100 0.5263 0.0290 0.0130 0.4483 0.0230 0.0100 0.4348 0.0335 0.0100 0.2985 Custom 09-34 super light

Metric (mm) 0.2413 0.3175 0.2413 0.4826 0.2540 0.3175 0.5842 0.2540 0.4826 0.2540 0.7366 0.3302 0.5842 0.2540 0.8509 0.2540

TI's 09-34 Imperial (") 0.0085 0.0120 0.0085 0.0180 0.0100 0.5556 0.0120 0.0230 0.0100 0.4348 0.0180 0.0100 0.5556 0.0280 0.0150 0.5357 0.0230 0.0100 0.4348 0.0345 0.0120 0.3478 Custom 09-34 super light

Metric (mm) 0.2159 0.3048 0.2159 0.4572 0.2540 0.3048 0.5842 0.2540 0.4572 0.2540 0.7112 0.3810 0.5842 0.2540 0.8763 0.3048

TI's 10-39 Imperial (") 0.0100 0.0125 0.0100 0.0205 0.0125 0.6098 0.0125 0.0250 0.0120 0.4800 0.0205 0.0125 0.6098 0.0325 0.0100 0.3077 0.0250 0.0100 0.4000 0.0385 0.0155 0.4026 Matching gauges found in 1964 redbox set.

Metric (mm) 0.2540 0.3175 0.2540 0.5207 0.3175 0.3175 0.6350 0.3048 0.5207 0.3175 0.8255 0.2540 0.6350 0.2540 0.9779 0.3937

Key:

BLUE Wrapped string

RED There were two seperate wire wraps around the core wire, wound in opposite directions to each other.

OD Outside diameter of string

E lowG D A

STRING TENSION RESULTS BY SET

STRING TENSION RESULTSProject:

Prepared by: Simon Edwards

Date:

String Effective Length:

1/ e 10 14.2 6.5 Not takenRIC 95404 NOS 10-42 e 10 14.2 6.5 28.4

b 13 13.8 6.3 Not takenb 13 13.8 6.3 27.6g 10 20.3 9.2 9.2G 20w 18.5 8.4 18.6 38.8d 13 19.4 8.8 8.8D 26w 16.2 7.4 7.4 35.6a 20w 23.8 10.8 10.9A 34W 16.3 7.4 7.5 40.1e 26 20.7 9.4 9.5E 42W 13.4 6.1 6.1 34.1

Avg: 17.1 Total Set Tension: 204.6

2/ e 10 14.6 6.7 6.7RIC 95404 2011 10-46 e 10 14.6 6.7 6.7 29.2

b 13 13.7 6.2 6.3b 13 13.7 6.2 6.3 27.4g 10 20.7 9.4 9.4G 20w 17.6 8.0 8.0 38.3d 13 19.5 8.8 8.9D 26w 16.6 7.6 7.6 36.1a 20w 22.1 10.0 10.1A 36W 17.0 7.7 7.8 39.1e 26w 21.2 9.6 9.7

E 46W 15.6 7.1 7.2 36.8 For some reason the single most difficult string to get to pitch stably


String Set Tested StringGauge

(nominal)Comments

String Set Tested

Nickel ground wound hex core set no longer sold by RIC. Made by SIT

strings and repackaged for RIC?

Latest RIC Set 2011

String tension measurement comparisons between commonly used string sets for the Rickenbacker 330/360/370 series 12 string guitars.

20/05/2012

630mm, Rickenbacker 360/12 string scale length, uncompensated

Lbsf KgfKgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Tension

Nickel Round Wound hex core set. The current 2011 RIC factory

packaged set possibly now made by Dadarrio?

No longer available Compressed

Round Wound Set

Lbsf KgfKgf

plus 2mm

StringGauge

(nominal)

Tension

CommentsPaired

Tension

10 10 13 13 10 20w 13 26w 20w 34W 26 42W

e e b b g G d D a A e E

Lbsf 14.2 14.2 13.8 13.8 20.3 18.5 19.4 16.2 23.8 16.3 20.7 13.4

14.2 14.2 13.8 13.8

20.3 18.5

19.4

16.2

23.8

16.3

20.7

13.4

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: RIC95404 NOS GROUND ROUNDS

10 10 13 13 10 20w 13 26w 20w 36W 26w 46W


Series1 14.6 14.6 13.7 13.7 20.7 17.6 19.5 16.6 22.1 17.0 21.2 15.6

14.6 14.6 13.7 13.7

20.7

17.6

19.5

16.6

22.1

17.0

21.2

15.6

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

PO

UN

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OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: RIC95404 2011 ROUND WOUND


Date: 13/05/2012

File: 120520 String Tension Test Results Rev 07 SRE


3/ e 10 14.6 6.6 6.6 Nickel flat wound round core sete 10 14.6 6.6 6.6 29.2b 13 14.1 6.4 6.4b 13 14.1 6.4 6.4 28.2g 10 20.1 9.1 9.2G 20w 20.7 9.4 9.4 40.8d 13 19.3 8.8 8.8D 24w 18.8 8.5 8.6 38.1a 20w 26.1 11.9 11.9A 32w 17.0 7.7 7.8 43.1e 24w 24.0 10.9 10.9E 39w 12.8 5.8 5.9 36.8


4/ e 10 15.4 7.0 7.0

e 10 15.4 7.0 7.0 30.8b 12 12.5 5.7 5.7b 12 12.5 5.7 5.7 25.0g 10 22.0 10.0 10.0G 19.5w 20.9 9.5 9.5 42.9d 12 18.1 8.2 8.3D 30w 26.9 12.2 12.2 45.0a 19.5w 26.0 11.8 11.8A 36.5w 21.4 9.7 9.8 47.4e 30w 33.7 15.3 15.3E 46.5w 18.1 8.2 8.2 51.8

Avg: 20.2 Total: 242.9

5/ e 10 14.6 6.6 6.6

e 10 14.6 6.6 6.6 29.2b 12.5 14.1 6.4 6.4b 12.5 14.1 6.4 6.4 28.2g 10 20.1 9.1 9.2G 20w 20.7 9.4 9.4 40.8d 12.5 19.3 8.8 8.8D 27.5w 22.6 10.2 10.3 41.9a 20w 27.2 12.4 12.4A 34w 18.7 8.5 8.6 45.9e 27.5w 28.4 12.9 12.9E 41.5w 15.4 7.0 7.1 43.8

Avg: 19.2 Total: 229.8

Octave String broken in testing near ferule. Hex cores are more brittle

perhaps

Lbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Comments

Lbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Comments

Pyramid 10-465 Hex Core "Old

McGuinn recommend"

Older type Hex Core Set. Hex cores no longer made?


(nominal)

Tension


(nominal)

TensionComments

Lbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Nickel flat wound round core set

Pyramid 10-42 round core

Pyramid #308 Round Core 10-39


(nominal)

Tension

10 10 13 13 10 20w 13 24w 20w 32w 24w 39w


Lbsf 14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1 20.1 20.7 19.3 18.8 26.1 17.0 24.0 12.8

14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1

20.1 20.7 19.3 18.8

26.1

17.0

24.0

12.8

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: PYRAMID #308

10 10 12 12 10 19.5w 12 30w 19.5w 36.5w 30w 46.5w


Lbsf 15.4 15.4 12.5 12.5 22.0 20.9 18.1 26.9 26.0 21.4 33.7 18.1

15.4 15.4 12.5 12.5

22.0 20.9 18.1

26.9 26.0

21.4

33.7

18.1

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: PYRAMID HEX CORE 10-465

10 10 12.5 12.5 10 20w 12.5 27.5

w 20w 34w

27.5w

41.5w


Series1 14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1 20.1 20.7 19.3 22.6 27.2 18.7 28.4 15.4

14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1

20.1 20.7 19.3

22.6

27.2

18.7

28.4

15.4

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

PO

UN

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STRING TENSION: PYRAMID 10-42


Date: 13/05/2012



6/ e 8 9.3 4.2 4.2

e 8 9.3 4.2 4.2 18.6b 10 9.1 4.1 4.1b 10 9.1 4.1 4.1 18.2g 8 13.7 6.2G 12 9.1 4.1 9.3 22.8d 10 12.3 5.6 5.6D 21w 12.9 5.8 6.0 25.2a 12 10.7 4.9 4.9A 26.5w 11.6 5.2 5.3 22.3e 21w 18.4 8.4 8.4E 32w 8.7 4.0 4.0 27.1

Avg: 11.2 Total: 134.2

7/ e 10 15.2 6.9 6.9

e 10 15.2 6.9 6.9 30.4b 13 13.1 5.9 5.9

(custom POR set) b 13 13.1 5.9 5.9 26.2g 10 21.6 9.8 9.8G 20w 22.8 10.3 10.4 44.4d 13 18.5 8.4 8.4D 25w 19.3 8.8 8.8 37.8a 20w 28.5 13.0 13.0A 35w 18.1 8.2 8.3 46.6e 25w 24.4 11.1 11.1E 44w 16.6 7.6 7..65 41.0

Avg: 18.9 Total: 226.4

8/ e 10 14.4 6.5 6.6

e 10 14.4 6.5 6.6 28.8b 13 14.0 6.4 6.4b 13 14.0 6.4 6.4 28.0g 10 20.3 9.2 9.2G 20w 19.1 8.8 8.8 39.4d 13 19.9 9.0 9.07\D 26w 16.5 7.5 7.5 36.4a 20w 24.5 11.1 11.2A 34w 15.3 6.9 7.0 39.8e 26w 20.9 9.5 9.5E 42w 13.6 6.2 6.2 34.5

Avg: 17.2 Total: 206.9


(nominal)

TensionComments

Lbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

TensionVintage NOS round wound set. Note very light gauges. Strings

probably from 1970's or very early 1980's.Rickenbacker Redbox 483


(nominal)

TensionComments

Lbsf Kgf

Nickel Wound Fusion Matched set

CURT MANGAN 10-42


(nominal)

TensionComments

Lbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Nickel flat wound round core set

Thomastik Infeld 10-44

8 8 10 10 8 12 10 21w 12 26.5w 21w 32w


Series1 9.3 9.3 9.1 9.1 13.7 9.1 12.3 12.9 10.7 11.6 18.4 8.7

9.3 9.3 9.1 9.1

13.7

9.1

12.3 12.9

10.7 11.6

18.4

8.7

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

PO

UN

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OF

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CE

STRING TENSION: Redbox 483

10 10 13 13 10 20w 13 25w 20w 35w 25w 44w


Series1 15.2 15.2 13.1 13.1 21.6 22.8 18.5 19.3 28.5 18.1 24.4 16.6

15.2 15.2 13.1 13.1

21.6 22.8

18.5 19.3

28.5

18.1

24.4

16.6

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

PO

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OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION TI Flats 10-44

10 10 13 13 10 20w 13 26w 20w 34w 26w 42w


Series1 14.4 14.4 14.0 14.0 20.3 19.1 19.9 16.5 24.5 15.3 20.9 13.6

14.4 14.4 14.0 14.0

20.3 19.1 19.9

16.5

24.5

15.3

20.9

13.6

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

PO

UN

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OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: CURT MANAGAN 10-42


Date: 13/05/2012



9/ e 8 9.2 4.2 4.2e 8 9.2 4.2 4.2 18.4b 10 8.1 3.7b 10 8.1 3.7 16.2g 8 13.4 6.1 6.1G 14 9.8 4.4 23.2d 11 13.9 6.3D 24w 15.0 6.8 28.9a 17 19.4 8.8A 32w 12.8 5.8 32.2e 22w 15.6 7.1E 40w 10.0 4.6 4.6 25.6

Avg: 12.0 Total: 144.5

10/ e 9 11.5 5.2e 9 11.5 5.2 23.0b 12 11.5 5.2b 12 11.5 5.2 23.0g 9 16.4 7.4G 19w 20.0 9.1 36.4d 12 16.5 7.5D 23w 15.6 7.1 32.1a 19w 25.2 11.4A 29w 13.3 6.0 38.5e 23w 19.4 8.8E 34w 9.5 4.3 28.9

Avg: 15.2 Total: 181.9

11/ e 9 12.0 5.4e 9 12.0 5.4 24.0b 12 11.3 5.1b 12 11.3 5.1 22.6g 9 17.0 7.7G 18w 17.7 8.0 34.7d 12 16.4 7.5D 23w 16.5 7.5 32.9a 18w 22.4 10.2A 28w 13.9 6.3 36.3e 23w 20.9 9.5E 34w 9.5 4.3 30.4

Avg: 15.1 Total: 180.9

ERNIE BALL 8-40


(nominal)

TensionComments

CommentsLbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Lbsf Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm

Paired

Tension

Nickel Round Wound 2230 Set

Kgf Kgf

plus 2mm


(nominal)

Tension

Paired

Tension

Custom ordered set for testing purposes. Nickel flat woundThomastik Infeld 09-34

Custom ordered set for testing purposes. Nickel flat woundPyramid Extra Super Light

Round Core 09-34


(nominal)

TensionComments

Lbsf

8 8 10 10 8 14 11 24w 17 32w 22w 40w


Series1 9.2 9.2 8.1 8.1 13.4 9.8 13.9 15.0 19.4 12.8 15.6 10.0

9.2 9.2 8.1 8.1

13.4

9.8

13.9 15.0

19.4

12.8

15.6

10.0

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: ERNIE BALL 08-40

9 9 12 12 9 19w 12 23w 19w 29w 23w 34w


Series1 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 16.4 20.0 16.5 15.6 25.2 13.3 19.4 9.5

11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5

16.4

20.0

16.5 15.6

25.2

13.3

19.4

9.5

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: Pyramid Extra Super light 09-34

9 9 12 12 9 18w 12 23w 18w 28w

e e b b g G d D a A

Series1 11.3 11.3 17.0 17.7 16.4 16.5 22.4 13.9 20.9 9.5

11.3 11.3

17.0 17.7 16.4 16.5

22.4

13.9

20.9

9.5

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FOR

CE

STRING TENSION: TI 09-34.5


Date: 13/05/2012


TENSION TEST RESULTS OVERLAY


Rickenbacker Redbox 483 9.3 9.3 9.1 9.1 13.7 9.1 12.3 12.9 10.7 11.6 18.4 8.7

RIC 95404 NOS 10 -42 14.2 14.2 13.8 13.8 20.3 18.5 19.4 16.2 23.8 16.3 20.7 13.4

CURT MANGAN 10-42 14.4 14.4 14.0 14.0 20.3 19.1 19.9 16.5 24.5 15.3 20.9 13.6

RIC 95404 2011 10-46 14.6 14.6 13.7 13.7 20.7 17.6 19.5 16.6 22.1 17.0 21.2 15.6

Pyramid 10-42 round core 14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1 20.1 20.7 19.3 22.6 27.2 18.7 28.4 15.4

Pyramid #308 14.6 14.6 14.1 14.1 20.1 20.7 19.3 18.8 26.1 17.0 24.0 12.8

Thomastik Infeld 10-44 15.2 15.2 13.1 13.1 21.6 22.8 18.5 19.3 28.5 18.1 24.4 16.6

Pyramid 10-465 Hex Core "Old McGuinn recommend" 15.4 15.4 12.5 12.5 22.0 20.9 18.1 26.9 26.0 21.4 33.7 18.1

ERNIE BALL 8-40 9.2 9.2 8.1 8.1 13.4 9.8 13.9 15.0 19.4 12.8 15.6 10.0

Pyramid Extra Super Light Round Core 09 -34 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 16.4 20.0 16.5 15.6 25.2 13.3 19.4 9.5

Thomastik Infeld 09 -34 12.0 12.0 11.3 11.3 17.0 17.7 16.4 16.5 22.4 13.9 20.9 9.5

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

PO

UN

DS

OF

FO

RC

E

STRING TENSION OVERLAY

Prepared By: Simon Edwards

Date: 14/05/2012


11.2

12.0

15.1 15.2

17.1 17.2 17.2 18.0

18.9 19.2

20.2

12.0

Rickenbacker Redbox 483 ERNIE BALL 8-40

Thomastik Infeld 09-34 Pyramid Extra Super Light Round Core 09-34

RIC 95404 NOS 10-42 RIC 95404 2011 10-46

CURT MANGAN 10-42 Pyramid #308 Round Core 10-39

Thomastik Infeld 10-44 Pyramid 10-42 round core

Pyramid 10-465 Hex Core "Old McGuinn recommend"

AVERAGE STRING TENSION / SET (Lbsf)

string tension and vintage 1960’s rickenbacker 12

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