Can I get some help with string gauges for a sort of Metheny baritone setup?

[Jim Soloway]

I want to take a 25.5" guitar and do something close to the Metheny baritone. I don't think I could get to A but I can certainly get to B. So it would be B standard tuning: B E A D F# B with the A and D tuned up an octave.

I don't use heavy strings. Even on a 24.75" guitar, I use a set of Chrome 10's in standard pitch and even that took some effort. So I was thinking either 12's (12,16,24,32,42,52) or 13's (13,17,26,35,45,56) to get to B. So the question is with either of those set's, what do I use for the two middle strings that are raised to A and D an octave higher?

I'm pretty sure some of you have this figured out or know how to figure this out.

[Peter C]

With the 12-52 Chromes set (not double checked):
024 tuned to G = approx. 30lbs = plain 0115 one octave up
032 tuned to D = approx. 28lbs = plain 015
For the 13-56 set, see the good old D'Addario tension chart for the corresponding plain string at a similar tension one octave up.
https://www.daddario.com/globalasset...hart_13934.pdf

[StoneWaller]

Aquila has a classical set - 141c, that are designed to achieve low A tuning on non baritone scale lengths. I don't know the gauge/tension, but they were not particularly huge, and required no additional setup. Tension was low, and fingerstyle they sounded incredible on a beat up 70s Aria classical "campfire special"
A friend who doesn't play, proclaimed "your guitar sounds like a piano." Talking about them, I think I need to order a set again. That low A tone is so deep it almost growls. A haunting sound.

[Mick-7]

I want to take a 25.5" guitar and do something close to the Metheny baritone. I don't think I could get to A but I can certainly get to B. So it would be B standard tuning: B E A D F# B with the A and D tuned up an octave.

I don't use heavy strings. Even on a 24.75" guitar, I use a set of Chrome 10's in standard pitch and even that took some effort. So I was thinking either 12's (12,16,24,32,42,52) or 13's (13,17,26,35,45,56) to get to B. So the question is with either of those set's, what do I use for the two middle strings that are raised to A and D an octave higher?

I'm pretty sure some of you have this figured out or know how to figure this out.

Don't know if this helps but it addresses the question I asked you in your Pat Metheny guitar thread
-- How to Tune a Baritone Guitar | Taylor Guitars

[Jim Soloway]

Don't know if this helps but it addresses the question I asked you in your Pat Metheny guitar thread
-- How to Tune a Baritone Guitar | Taylor Guitars

Thanks but that part I've got no problem with. It was how to get those two octave strings in the middle of his tuning. But I got it solved and I'm messing with it now.

[Mick-7]

Thanks but that part I've got no problem with. It was how to get those two octave strings in the middle of his tuning. But I got it solved and I'm messing with it now.

Is it the D&G strings that are tuned up? Someone said they use these strings on their PRS guitar:

Ernie Ball 2839 Baritone Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

[Jim Soloway]

Is it the D&G strings that are tuned up? Someone said they use these strings on their PRS guitar:

Ernie Ball 2839 Baritone Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Yes but rather than D&G, think of them simply as the "two middle strings". It works relatively the same in any tuning. I've tuned it B to B. so the full tuning low to high is B E A D F# B. I've used D'Addario Chromes 12's and replaced the two middle strings with plain wound 16 and 13 for the A and D and they are tuned up an octave. I sounds very much like what Metheny is doing on his acoustics. I don't know if I'll keep it that way for the long run or just go B to B standard. Standard would probably be more useful but with the two raised strings is probably more fun.

[Mick-7]

Yes but rather than D&G, think of them simply as the "two middle strings". It works relatively the same in any tuning. I've tuned it B to B. so the full tuning low to high is B E A D F# B. I've used D'Addario Chromes 12's and replaced the two middle strings with plain wound 16 and 13 for the A and D and they are tuned up an octave. I sounds very much like what Metheny is doing on his acoustics. I don't know if I'll keep it that way for the long run or just go B to B standard. Standard would probably be more useful but with the two raised strings is probably more fun.

I see, it matches the Taylor Guitars chart:

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/...%2520Piano.jpg

[Jim Soloway]

I see, it matches the Taylor Guitars chart:

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/...%2520Piano.jpg

If you're even remotely interested in trying this, then just dive in. This is as much fun as anything I've done with a guitar in a long time.

[Mick-7]

If you're even remotely interested in trying this, then just dive in. This is as much fun as anything I've done with a guitar in a long time.

Thanks, don't think any of my guitars would be suitable... actually, my old super-strat might work, I'll look into it. What guitar did you say you were using?

[Jim Soloway]

Thanks, don't think any of my guitars would be suitable... actually, my old super-strat might work, I'll look into it. What guitar did you say you were using?

I'm using one of the guitars that we built. It's a 25.5" scale length with a neck humbucker. I think anything with a 25.5" scale length would work. The tension levels are pretty normal. Here's something I just recorded with it a few minutes ago. Check out the chord fragment right at the end. I literally laughed out lough the first time I played that.

[Mick-7]

That chord would make a great phone ringtone!

[M-ster]

The soundcloud snip is beautiful!

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

The soundcloud snip is beautiful!

+1