Can I Use Light Gauge

Subject: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: scouse
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 04:14 AM

Can I use light gauge guitar strings on my old Gibson Tenor Guitar and tune it up to 440??
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: mandotim
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 05:11 AM

As always; depends! Are you using a CGDA tuning? How old is the guitar? Is it an archtop or a flattop? Are the top braces in good condition and properly attached? Are there any signs of top sinkage? Is the neck straight? Pictures?
I'll help if I can, but I need a bit more info!
Tim

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: nickp
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 05:46 AM

As Tim says it'll depend on what you want to tune it to. There's a thread about a month ago about the new tenor guitar from Hobgoblin which I have and am using in octave tuning (GDAE) rather than tenor and the gauges I'm using (which are just a touch heavy) 40 - 30 - 20 - 11.

I may go for a fraction lighter next time.

here's the other thread

See if there's anything there helps

Nick

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: scouse
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 05:58 AM

It's a big old 1935 Gibson archtop Model TG75. In perfect condition with it's original case. It has a truss rod. I could Email you some photo's. Everything about it is perfect.I Would tune it as per a normal guitar DGBE!! Is that possible??
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 08:29 AM

Those very nice people at Oakwood instruments gave me (many years ago) a small chart listing string length, pitch and appropriate gauge. I have found it invaluable when figuring out the right gauge strings for alternative tunings. Perhaps they might give you one, too? I've just had a look for you to see if there is such a thing on the web, but didn't find anything really helpful.

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: mandotim
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 08:52 AM

I've done a bit of looking; and I came up with this It's a string gauge/tension calculator. Enter the gauge and the note the string is tuned to, and it will calculate how much strain you are putting on the guitar.
Gibson archtop tenors used the same bodies as the six-string versions, but with a four string neck. I'm guessing that yours is one of the tenor versions of the L7, which was a big jazz guitar built to take enormously heavy strings. (This was to produce the volume needed to play unamplified with jazz bands)Legend has it that some of the old jazz guitarists played bottom E-strings that were .075" ! Strings for real men! If the guitar is in good condition and has no bracing issues, I can't see any reason why it wouldn't handle four strings tuned to the top four strings of a 'standard' guitar. Wouldn't be my choice though; I think the 'voice' of the tenor needs a tuning in fifths, preferably CGDA...but I would say that, I'm a mandolin player and I like fifths! Good luck with your choices.
Tim

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 11:23 AM

Hi Scouse,
   Jazz player Tiny Grimes tuned his guitar DGBE as did folky Nick Renolds. I think your guitar would easily handle light or even medium guage strings.

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 11:51 AM

Check the nut, if there's wear you may get a rattle with lights

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: scouse
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 05:17 AM

Thanks Guys for your swift help. I will try it!!
as Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: Can I Use Light Gauge
From: Sugwash
Date: 08 Feb 08 - 05:58 AM

There is a Yahoo group dedicated to the tenor guitar http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/tenorguitarregistry/ which discuss, often a great lenght, string guages and tunings.