Proper gague for high F string

raymondl3 · #1 10-10-2010, 02:58 PM

What is the proper gauge for a high F string? Who makes them and are they usually wound or unwound. Thanks.

MNAirHead · #2 10-10-2010, 03:03 PM

I've had both wound and unwound..

Unfortunately we're kind of at the mercy of what's out there..

Circle K does have them.. I have periodically found GHS..

Singles are toughter to find..

I've used both wound and unwound.. .. often they're 23 or 25

I try to find unwound stainless.. I then don't change this single string.. just install a 6 string set --

Tim

ixlramp · #3 10-10-2010, 03:47 PM

Conklin Guitars sell F strings; plain steel .018, wound .020 and wound .022.

Wound .020's usually have thin core wire, and are more prone to breakage. Wound .022-.025s are tight. A plain .018 is much more durable and is better for string bending. A plain steel .016 would be light and perfect for tapping, chording, Ebow, string bending.

If you can find Rotosound plain steel single guitar strings, they are just long enough to reach the bass tuner, just detach a ball end from a dead bass string and thread it onto the guitar string to make the ball fit the bass bridge.

ixlramp · #4 10-10-2010, 04:24 PM

Octave 4 Plus sell high quality plain steel bass strings .007 to .018.

I wouldn't recommend plain strings larger than .018. As gauge rises past .018 they become increasingly inflexible, with a stiff inharmonic sound. Not surprising as they are after all solid steel bars.

So for the reasons of thin cores in wound strings and stiff plains I try not to use anything between .016p and .025w.

raymondl3 · #5 10-10-2010, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the information and advice. How does the unwound F feel on the fingers?

raymondl3 · #6 10-10-2010, 08:09 PM

OK I just found single strings available from LaBella, S.I.T, GHS, and Ernie Ball. Thanks all!

ixlramp · #7 10-11-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymondl3

How does the unwound F feel on the fingers?

Smooth and slippery under the fretting fingers, little string noise and good for slides. For the plucking fingers, not quite as slippery as the windings of a roundwound. Some bassists hate plains, they can take a little getting used to if you have never played plains before. I love them.