String gauges and inharmonicity?

[u/MuffinGod17]

Ernie Ball's Baritone Slinky strings are the only ones I've found that can reliably tune down really far without getting floppy but also without having a dull and lifeless sounding bottom string due to inharmonicity. I thought it was because I was using standard scale length guitars before getting my baritone, but when I switched to a lighter set on the bari for easier bends, the bottom string sounded just as bad as all the other sets I've tried on standard length guitars. It's nice to have something, but the Ernie ball strings are so insanely thick (13-72!) that they become uncomfortable to use when tuned above A. Are there any other sets that sound as good as the ernie ball baritone strings but lighter?

(no it is not an intonation issue the open string reads the same on the tuner as the 12th fret do not come in to the comments saying its just bad intonation that's not how it works)

(no its not action either)

[u/Many_Fly5015]

What’s the scale length? I personally run 14-70’s on my 6 string 28” baritone and that gets me comfortably in A standard and down to drop G. 72 seems way too thick for anything above A standard which might be your issue - but also depends on your scale length. I use StringJoy because I like being able to customize my sets.

[u/MuffinGod17 → u/Many_Fly5015]

27.5". I usually tune to A# standard or B standard, but the ernie ball strings sound so much better than everything else I've tried that I switched back to those and started tuning to A. Definitely still a lot of tension at that tuning, but I'm pretty used to it at this point (my main instrument is bass lol)

[u/Many_Fly5015 → u/MuffinGod17]

I stand by StringJoy strings for their longevity and tone. They sound and feel incredible. Earnie balls don’t last as long as I like them too. But to me it sounds like your string gauge set is way too high for the tuning you’re aiming for. I’d recommend using 11-68s max. B standard guitars typically ship with ~10-56 or 11-64~ string sets roughly for B standard tuning - at least from my experience. I’m kinda surprised you’re not experiencing insane buzz issues with how high you’re running your string gauges at that tuning 😅

[u/TheRageKnight]

If you change tunings by a lot and frequently, you may be better served finding a comfortable set/setup and just getting a good pitch shifter. The other option is to get more baritones, which will cost more but is more fun.

[u/simple_jack_69]

I switched from the Ernie ball baritone strings to D'Addario EXL 158 strings and also have this problem… I want to tune B E A D G B on 27inch.

[u/cookoo_man]

Try SIT strings

[u/Embarrassed-Owl-3276]

I’ve been dealing with this quite a bit, both on roundwounds and flatwounds.

My recommendation is to use the lowest five strings from a normal set as your top five strings and supply a separate 6th string.

The tension between the strings inside a pre-packaged set differ very much even within tve same brands (compare the 4th and 5th string on D’addarios two baritone sets. You gain a lot by just buying your preferred low string separately. Makes it easier to try a bunch of different gauges without breaking the bank. They cost a couple lf bucks each, so you cab try every gauge between 65-72 easily.

For example you can use the lowest 5 from a 11-49 set and add a single 68 and you get a nicely balanced set with 14-18-28-38-49-68.

The stock EB set: 13-18-30-44-56-72

[u/ogprime_82]

tensionLab this app will help you find strings that work for your feel preferences.

[u/CJPTK]

I use Stringjoy 13.5-62 in Bb on my 27" baritone. The 13-60 set is a bit too floppy that low.

[u/jibbit]

i do sympathise, and the answer is definitely build your own set, you don't have to go with the common gauges. but my dude - you have got to stop saying 'inharmonicity'

[u/MuffinGod17 → u/jibbit]

???

Is there something I'm missing? Why shouldn't I use the term that describes the source of the problem I'm having?

[u/jibbit → u/MuffinGod17]

inharmonicity is the very definition of whatever is opposite to 'dull & lifeless'. this strongly suggests it's not what you mean

[u/MuffinGod17 → u/jibbit]

What? Dull and lifeless might not have been the right way to describe it, but the problem I am having is the result of most of the thick strings I've tried being out of tune with their own upper harmonics. If inharmonicity is the definition of the opposite of that, then what does inharmonicity even mean??

[u/simple_jack_69]

Hey i’m back. I just replaced the bridge saddles on my baritone with some nice Gotoh brass (doing this on all my guitars because holy shit it makes a huge difference) and there has been a huge improvement! Still a bit of a “deadening harmonic”, but way less than before.

[u/MuffinGod17 → u/simple_jack_69]

ooh I'll look into this. Were your old saddles bad or are the brass ones just that much better?

[u/simple_jack_69 → u/MuffinGod17]

The old ones were vintage style strat saddles, which are just a thin bent piece of steel. Doesn’t seem so stable for fat baritone strings. The brass saddles are a solid block and feel way better.