FEATURE > STRINGS
DOWN TO THE WIRE
GAUGES, TENSION, AND THE
Core-to-Wrap ratio
Guitarists are typically used to thinking about string tension—that is, how easy or difficult a set of strings is to play—in terms of
gauge. For instance, tuned to high E, a plain .011 string has more tension than a .009 made of the same material—a fact our fingers can easily confirm. However, when it comes to wound strings, there’s more to
the question of tension and feel than meets the eye. It’s true that, tuned
to low E, a .048 string feels tighter than a .046. But can there be a difference in tension between .046 strings made by different companies,
assuming they’re on identical guitars and tuned to the same pitch?
The answer is yes, and although the differences may be subtle, it’s
an area worth exploring. As you can see when you clip a wound string
and peer at its cross section, it comprises two elements: the core wire
and wrap wire. To achieve a given string gauge, manufacturers may
vary the ratio between these two wires. One brand may have a thicker
core and thinner wrap, while another may use a slightly thinner core
but make up the difference in diameter by using a bigger wrap.
These differences affect feel, explains Eric Cocco, vice-president of
LaBella Strings. “The tension of a musical string can be adjusted by
simply combining different core and wrap wires. This can also be varied
by using different tensile strength for the core and wrap wires. As an
example, an electric guitar gauge of .042 can be made by using a .016
core and a .013 wrap wire. Another way of building that string could
be with a .019 core and a .0115 wrap. The gauge would be the same—
.042—but the string with the .019 core would be much stiffer.”
The core-to-wrap ratio also impacts tone. “You want a sig-
nificant mass on the winding,” says Jason Everly, president of
Cleartone Strings, “because that’s what makes the sound waves. The
thicker the mass of the wrap, relative to the size of the string, the
more audible low-end frequencies you’re going to get. You’re try-
ing to get close to a 1-to- 1 ratio between core and wrap wires—at
least on an acoustic string—but that’s difficult because the wrap
wire will shear the core wire when you reach that ratio. So that’s
the game, and everyone has their own top-secret formula as to how
they overcome this and how they adjust for it.”
If you’re interested in fine-tuning your guitar’s playability and
tone, it pays to experiment. Companies put a lot of thought into
how they manufacture wound strings, and the core-to-wrap ratio is
an important factor in their designs. —Andy Ellis
the Straight Truth About Pickups by Jason Lollar
This was more like the dragon chasing us–over the years
it’s been one of our most requested pickup designs. Of
course, we had to add our own twists, including sizing it to
drop into a standard humbucker route. A2 magnets, custom covers, lot’s of attitude.
Starting with a ‘60s Country Gentleman as a benchmark,
we went after the classic rock-a-billy ‘bucker tone, adding
some “Lollar” along the way. The neck pickup is warm and
buttery, with a clear, present top end. The bridge pickup is
fat and honky, with a rich, defined low end. Combined, they
sparkle and spank with clarity and punch. They’ll cover everything from “OZ” rock to “Nashville Super Pickers” to “Hot
Rods and Hot Babes…” Go Man, Go!
I’ve personally design over a hundred different pickup
models, including most of the vintage classics, some obscure
works of art from steel guitars to clavinets, and even a few of
my own designs that have never existed in the past.
I invite you to visit our website for sound clips, videos and
current product information or feel free to give us a call.
Lollar Pickups PO Box 2450 Vashon Island, WA 98070 (206) 463-9838 www.lollarguitars.com
116 PREMIER GUITAR JUNE 2012
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