TTorque

Hey there, I'm about to get my first seven string which has a 26.5" scale.
Is it ok if I put ernie ball 9-52 strings on it with the B-E-A-D-G-B-E tuning? Or is the tension to great for this scale and I should put 10's on it? Thanks

Wesbanez

It'll be fine. You'll probably get a few people chipping in telling you to put thicker strings on and a much thicker string for the low B, but really, its all about personal preference.

I have a fanned fret 7, 25.5" - 27" scale length and only have a 58 on the low B. Feels and sounds fine to me.

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TTorque

I'm actually concerned about the high E. I'm affraid of it snapping cause of the extra tension. That's all

Snake_42

Thicker strings means greater tension. So you're pretty much better off with the 9's man.

Dayn

You'll be perfectly fine. I've had an .008 tuned up to G at 27". Not optimal, but really, unless you tune your .009 up to F#, or suddenly jump to a 32"~ scale, you'll be fine.

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thebestjoe

Meshuggah uses 9's on a 30 inch scale, you'll be fine.

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TTorque

Okay, but is it the EADGBE tuning?

MrFlibble

A lighter gauge is less likely to break than a thicker one. Strings break when they get caught, worn down or tension is increased too much. The breaking point for a .08 string is more or less the same as a .012.

So long as the guitar is made decently and every part is set up properly, there's no reason to fear string breakages.

I would avoid thicker string gauges and use .009s at most simply because the tension, while not a problem for the strings, can be a problem for the neck itself, not to mention it'll be harder to bend strings accurately and control vibrato.

Use the string gauge that lets you play your best.

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W4RP1G

So are Ernie Balls just weak strings? Because I used EB 9s for many years before moving up to Rotosound 10s and then D'Addario 10s, and I swear that the EB 9 had a tendency to break, but I can't recall breaking a string since since I changed. I always thought it was the gauge change that made the difference, but I suppose it could be the brand.

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