string size for cgda and cfgBb

[DENNY7P]

I have a 23"scale goldtone tenor guitar.i'am tuning it with a tuner and i have tune the last 3 strings c3-g4-d4-and it seem to me that the tenson is getting to tight to make it to a4 on first string. I'am using strings 12-16-24-32- and i'am thinking about trying c-f-g-Bb

[Pete Martin]

I can only seem to get .010s to tune up to A. Even .015s break most of the time just flat of A. If you find anything different, I'm all ears.

[acousticphd]

Yes - Your C and G strings should be about the right guage, but the treble strings are way too heavy. I have experimented a little but use gauges of about 35/25/14/10 for CGDA . Some players use even lighter, but I like a bit heavier strings for the bass. These guages work ok with me to tune down a step to BbFCG.

For GDAE tuning you will need considerably heavier bass strings - there is another thread discussing this. Maybe in the neighborhood of 48 on the bottom and 12 on the top, but you may need a wound A string (like a 20-22 guage).

[mrmando]

Martin and D'Addario both make tenor sets ... either one works for CGDA tuning on my tenor.

[DENNY7P]

PETE I'am using D'addario ej16 guitar strings 12-16-24-32- and i got it to tune in ,what i did was take it very slow.When tuning i would get it close then wait for 10 minutes,and then get it closer and wait again.I used this on line tuner http://www.hotshare.net/en/file/87728-689298873d.html this will tune to to differant octaves tune to c3 g3 d4 a4 let me know if that helps(you might not need to wait ,but i did)

[Charles E.]

I have used both Martin and D'Addario tenor sets and I like the D'Addario J66-tenor guitar/bronze set the best. They seem to last a little longer.