Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)

Subject: Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)
From: Chris C
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 02:45 PM

Hi All:
Came across some single nylon strings, presumably for guitar, but maybe not. The little envelopes that the strings are in say this:
6th D=Bb
4th B=G#
3rd E=C#
2nd X=F

Obviously, I'm missing some, and I don't have the outer package that the whole set came in, which might have had a brand name or more clues. They are tie-end (no ball), and the string in the envelope marked "4th" is a plain (not wound) string. (Could have been put in the wrong envelope?) These could be from Israel(??), as they were in a case with a guitar that appears to be Israeli made. Then again, text is English, so could be UK, US, or pretty much any origin.
Anyone know about these strange designations? I'm super curious and perplexed. Thanks in advance!
~CC

Subject: RE: Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 04:15 PM

Look like a set for a guitar tuned Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, F, Bb (6->1) ie like a guitar with a capo on the 6th fret. I'm assuming higher than normal since you say the 4th is unwound, but I have come across a guitar tuned like this but lower than normal (ie (6) down to Bb and then the same relative tuning as normal).

I don't offhand know of a guitar that uses this as standard (the tertz is a minor 3rd up ie (6)->G, the alto a 5th higher (6)->B, and the soprano an octave higher than normal)

Mick

Subject: RE: Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 05:25 PM

Is it possible that the strings are such that they could be used on two different instruments?

Of particular interest is the X=F thing on the 2nd string.

Subject: RE: Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)
From: Chris C
Date: 12 Oct 12 - 06:30 PM

I think I've got this figured out.
Mick: yes, it's gonna be the tuning you said.
I don't think it's or 2 different instruments.
Also, i see that the designations 6th, 4th, etc are printed on teh envelopes; the D=Bb, X=F, etc is extra info affixed with stickers, possibly not by the manufacturer.
here's what it is:
The 6th string is the gauge of a normal D sting, but it's gonna only be tuned up to a Bb. Thus: 6th D=Bb. (It's a thin string too; the eye test says it's about a normal D, clearly not a low E.)
The 4th string will be what is normally a B/2nd string, but only tuned up to a G#, thus 4th B=G#. It explains the plain 4th string.
It also explains the X=F, as this set's 6th string is a normal 4th string; 5th is normal 3rd (we assume), 4th is normal 2nd, 3rd is normal 1st; the 2nd and 1st strings for this set have no corresponding "normal" string. So I guess the 5th string would say 5th G=D# (Eb) and 1st string would say 1st X=A# (Bb).
Solution to the puzzle is:
6th D=Bb
5th G=D#
4th B=G#
3rd E=C#
2nd X=F
1st X=Bb

(Sorry to mix sharps & flats; I'm going with how it's printed on the stickers.)

Get it?
Seriously, sorry so to waste anyone's time with this little oddity. Thanks for the replies. (It was drivin' me nuts for a few minutes!)
Best,
CC

Subject: RE: Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 13 Oct 12 - 09:33 AM

Glad you got it figured out, CC.

Subject: RE: Odd Designations on Gtr String Pack(?)
From: Stanron
Date: 13 Oct 12 - 11:57 AM

If the strings play the D, G, B, E notes at normal tension on a standard guitar string length, i.e. 63 to 65 cm, then the bracketed notes could be for an instrument with a string length of about 37 to 40 cm. Or the same as a guitar with the capo at the 8th or 9th fret.