Question 1

What is unit weight and where do I find it?

Accepted Answer

Unit weight (UW) is the mass per unit length of a string, measured in lb/in. String manufacturers like D'Addario publish unit weight charts for every gauge. You can also find it on their website or in their string tension guide PDF. It varies between plain and wound strings of the same gauge.

Question 2

How does scale length affect tension?

Accepted Answer

Longer scale lengths produce higher tension for the same string and tuning. A 25.5" Fender scale has about 7% more tension than a 24.75" Gibson scale. This is why the same string gauge feels tighter on a Strat than on a Les Paul. Baritone guitars (27-30") and bass guitars (34-35") have even higher tensions.

Question 3

What tension should I aim for?

Accepted Answer

Most players prefer 14-22 lbs per string for standard 6-string guitar. Lighter tension (12-16 lbs) suits players who bend a lot. Heavier tension (18-24 lbs) gives a firmer feel with more volume and sustain. The key is balanced tension across all strings so the guitar feels even from string to string.

Question 4

How do I keep tension balanced in drop tunings?

Accepted Answer

When you drop a string by a whole step, tension drops roughly 20%. To compensate, go up 2-3 gauges on the dropped string. For Drop D, try a .052 instead of .046 for the low string. For Drop C, consider .056 or .060. Many companies sell drop-tuning optimized sets for this reason.

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