Rosco Guitars
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Label Info
String Count
GUITAR
BASS
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String Gauges & Tuning — Click to Adjust
D'Addario XL Nickel Wound / Plain Steel
Select a scale length and tuning to load a pack.
The Rosco Standard

Rosco Suggested Tensions

Every Rosco custom pack is built around a progressive tension ladder. Each string feels a little stiffer as you move from treble to bass, so no single string stands out as unusually loose or tight under your fingers. You choose the scale and tuning, we show you a good starting point to achieve that even tension. Adjust as desired.

Guitar  (6 / 7 / 8 string)

String 1 (high)13.5 lbs
String 214.5 lbs
String 3 (plain)15.5 lbs · 16.0 if wound
String 418.0 lbs
String 519.0 lbs
String 620.0 lbs
String 721.0 lbs
String 822.0 lbs

Bass  (4 / 5 string)

String 1 (high)32.0 lbs
String 234.0 lbs
String 336.0 lbs
String 438.0 lbs
String 5 (low)40.0 lbs
String 3 — plain or wound? On guitar, string 3 stays plain up to a .019 gauge. Once your tuning calls for anything thicker, the calculator switches you to a wound 3rd and bumps the target from 15.5 to 16.0 lbs. Wound strings of similar gauge feel a touch softer at the same tension, so the small lift keeps them even with the rest of the ladder.
Tapered (T) vs. Regular

For Bass, the calculator defaults to Tapered for heavy strings because it’s the professional standard for modern clarity.

Go Tapered (T) for:

  • Maximum Clarity: essential for metal, “clank,” and low-tuned definition.
  • Easy Setup: sits deeper in the bridge and intonates accurately.
  • Top-Load Bridges: if your strings hook into the back of the bridge.

Go Regular (Non-Taper) for:

  • String-Through-Body: if your strings go through the back of the guitar body (tapers can snap at the bend).
  • Vintage Tone: if you want a thumpy, old-school sound with less “snap.”

Each string is color-coded by how close it lands to its target:

On target  ≤ 2 lbs (guitar)  /  ≤ 3 lbs (bass) Near target  ≤ 4 lbs (guitar)  /  ≤ 7 lbs (bass) Off target  beyond that