D'Addario EXL220+ for DGCFA# tuning?

[Nick-H]

Preamble: After quite a lot of shopping around, I got hold of a third-hand Ibanez SR305E. Other than a single visible chip, it's in good shape, and sounds great. My original idea was to buy one additional string from the same set and convert it to a high C, but I don't know if the strings on this thing are the original D'Addarios. Also they have a lot of curious black marks all over them. I dunno if it's the coating chipped off, or some remarkably dark-coloured dirt. Anyway, the point is, I don't know if a new single string would fit in with the rest. Might buy all new strings.

The main bit: If I'm going to buy all new strings, it means I have much more choice in tuning. The current strings seem a little bit floppier than I'd like, and I don't see any need to play lower than D. I tried this web string tension calculator here and aimed for slightly higher poundage all around, but for DGCFA#. It looks like D'Addario EXL220 is a good fit for what I'd be after, if I add a single 120 for the lowest string. And hey, I guess I wouldn't need to worry about needing a nut change.

Thought I'd do a sanity check before jumping, though. Does this sound like a good set? Also... 'tapered' means that the string is thinned down just after the nut, correct? The low string peg is only about 3" away from the nut... so I guess tapered string is the one I would need?

Picture of tension calculations for proposed set attached.

 

[michael_t]

Here's my suggestion...

D'Addario EXL160BT (Balanced Tension), 50-67-90-120, are designed to be roughly 40-42 lbs. each when tuned to DGCF. All you need is a single .035 for the high A# (Bb) to complete the set. It would work out to be cheaper than having to add a single .120 to a 4-string set.

 

[Nick-H]

Here's my suggestion...

D'Addario EXL160BT (Balanced Tension), 50-67-90-120, are designed to be roughly 40-42 lbs. each when tuned to DGCF. All you need is a single .035 for the high A# (Bb) to complete the set. It would work out to be cheaper than having to add a single .120 to a 4-string set.

It's an idea... it would be more cost effective... but I wonder if it might be a bit on the light/loose/floppy side?

Ah! I just found that they do a set of EXL220-5. I think that would be the pick if it's about saving the money.

 

[michael_t]

It's an idea... it would be more cost effective... but I wonder if it might be a bit on the light/loose/floppy side?

Here are the tension figures for 35-50-67-90-120 tuned to D-G-C-F-Bb. Nicely balanced, and no, it won't be too light or floppy.

Bb 035 - 35.78 lbs.
F 050 - 39.92
C 067 - 40.55
G 090 - 40.52
D 120 - 39.08

 

[Nick-H]

Here are the tension figures for 35-50-67-90-120 tuned to D-G-C-F-Bb. Nicely balanced, and no, it won't be too light or floppy.

Bb 035 - 35.78 lbs.
F 050 - 39.92
C 067 - 40.55
G 090 - 40.52
D 120 - 39.08

Fair enough. Does tension being more balanced mean that the sound between the same note on different strings will be more tonally consistent?

 

[michael_t]

Fair enough. Does tension being more balanced mean that the sound between the same note on different strings will be more tonally consistent?

Balanced tension can help in achieving tonal balance, but it's not a guaranteed thing, so you will need to experiment. I personally prefer a set of strings that are balanced in feel, but it's up to your personal preference as to how you would want them to feel under your fingers.