Get a strings set of whatever tuning from SE you fancy but tune the whole shebang up a half note higher than the SE recommendation! Adjust the truss rod accordingly. This will transform your Stick sound from a dusty broom-bass into a blistering shiny Grand Piano.

Example:
At the moment I have a set of Medium RMR and instead of tuning it form high C sharp to low C sharp I tune it D to D. Wow, wow, wow... and wow - what a sound!

No strings broken so far, after several hours of playing in "Raised Raised" I'd estimate my Grand's strings in this tuning being about at the same tension as my SG-12 with normal Medium MR.

I have tried MR at light, medium and heavy guage for my Grand and found them all too sloppy for a good sound. The logic behind that seems to be that (long scale) Stick strings in general are tuned at a too low tension for an optimal timbre. Same goes with DMR medium and my current RMR medium I've had.

Interesting recommendations, Per. So, you are using medium gauge on your SG12?

Yes. But the sound of that instrument is perfect, so no reason for experimenting with tunings. It already has a good string tension (while most recommended Grand sets feel too sloppy for my taste in sound)

Do NOT try this with the Classic tuning. The D string will almost certainly break.

Thanks for chiming in, Greg. I have not used Classic myself, only variations of MR. I would guess that tuning up a Light MR might break the thinnest string too. It is when tuning up a Medium MR set on the 36" Grand that I like what I'm hearing - and of course only that is what I dare to recommend.

The SG12 I have is equipped with light gauge. Light gauge were recommended by SE for the backup set I just ordered.

I've enjoyed the tone of your SG12. Must be the medium gauge (along with your musicality of course).

Randy

I use a custom set of strings on my SG12. It starts with a medium set and then the outer two strings on both sides are one gauge heavier. I've had a few chats with Emmett about this and the result is an evenness of tone across all strings. I was finding that the highest strings sounded too different than the rest of the instrument. There was a noticeable change in tonality when playing a scale. I liked the thicker tone of the middle strings but the high ones were just too tinny sounding for me. I used heavy gauge guitar strings back in my guitar days and I'm sure that has an influence on this now. I love the tone of my SG12! And since it's my only Stick, this is good.

-Eric

I've noticed the same in the outer two strings. Different tone, difficult to get a nite to sustain as on other strings.

Your idea a notes for future tweaks!


Randy

The raised D tuning for my 10-string is my choice as well. I like the singing sensation even on 36" scale instruments. The increased tension allows energy to be transferred from the finger to the string to the fretboard at a faster clip. Good post Per.

and in the other direction my DBR's are tuned a half-step down. i like the snakiness in the low end, the ability to REALLY bend those strings (even the higher unwound strings. DBR aint that much lower, especially 12 string Grand, just more overlap)