What strings for Standard tuning on 21.5" scale?

danowens · November 2021

Hi everyone,

I bought a Vintage Viator from here a while ago and I've had it in Terz tuning since (like a capo on the 3rd fret). As much as I love this sound, I'd like to sometimes use this guitar as a backup so I'd like to put it in standard tuning, but 21.5" is SHORT! What would you use?

For reference, I like a higher tension string anyway. My tele has 13s on and my seller-style has 11s on, so if someone says 'put 16s on' then challenge accepted!

drofluf · November 2021

sounds like a job for stringtension pro. You can enter your preferred gauge, tuning and scale and then if it will suggest a set that feels the same for a different configuration.

drofluf · November 2021

sounds like a job for stringtension pro. You can enter your preferred gauge, tuning and scale and then if it will suggest a set that feels the same for a different configuration.

Lewy · November 2021

drofluf said:

sounds like a job for stringtension pro. You can enter your preferred gauge, tuning and scale and then if it will suggest a set that feels the same for a different configuration.

Alas it is no more. The old url just takes you to an “under construction” page nowadays.

ICBM · November 2021

16s sounds about right. If you capo'd a set of 12s at the 5th fret, that would raise the B string (16 gauge) to E, but it's a slightly longer scale length on your guitar so the tension will be a bit higher, probably around the same as the 13 on a standard scale.

Tannin · November 2021

https://tension.stringjoy.com

https://stringtensioncalculator.com

Using the Stringjoy calculator the nearest I can get is 15-20-28 38-50-56 for 173.6lbs, which is just slightly more than the 173.5lbs of their standard 12s on a standard scale.

Stringjoy's thickest string is a 56, and you need about a 58 or so for the 6th. Trying to get the same tension as 12s on a standard scale, I'd also want slightly lighter 3rd, 4th, and 5th than I listed just now - say 26, 36, and 48.

But those numbers put you into the ball park, and Newtone will run you up whatever set you like. My best guess to try first is: 15-20-26 36-48-58 or 16-20-28 38-50-60.

Winny_Pooh · November 2021

IMO some little guitars dont always sound better with fatter strings. Seen this on a Martin Backpacker and GS Mini. Also, a very fat low E on a short scale can sound dead and just "thonk", instead of ring.
Id pop on 13s to start with & if you want more tension the elixir nanowebs seem stiffer than equivalent non-coated strings.

more · November 2021

danowens said:

Hi everyone,

I bought a Vintage Viator from here a while ago and I've had it in Terz tuning since (like a capo on the 3rd fret). As much as I love this sound, I'd like to sometimes use this guitar as a backup so I'd like to put it in standard tuning, but 21.5" is SHORT! What would you use?

For reference, I like a higher tension string anyway. My tele has 13s on and my seller-style has 11s on, so if someone says 'put 16s on' then challenge accepted!

I have a set , Standard E tuning, .014 .018 .022 plain .034 .046 .056 .

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What strings for Standard tuning on 21.5" scale?

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