Low tunings + low tension = good

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

Swapped the 74 on my 8 for a 65. Didn’t look at the tension stat so I’d be judging purely by feel and sound, not numbers. Love it. It’s obviously looser than the 80 I was originally using, but the tone is exactly what I was after and it’s still super playable. Power chords on the bottom 2 strings ring clearer, even tuned to E and A (octave below a standard 6 string).

I’m done with tension calculators.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Low tunings + low tension = good

Hey JB, have you tried the D’Addario NYXL strings? I just put a set of 9-46 set on my Parker. That’s my regular set for that guitar.

They have slightly higher tension. I had to tighten my truss rod to get the neck flat again (I use very low action and no relief)

Very stable tuning.

The bass strings have no flab at drop tunings. The treble strings have a smoother top end. They sound like 10s. You might like them. They’re expensive, but are supposed to last a long time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

I have a set of 10-46 NYXL on my ‘62 LP. They’ve been on for a couple years, and still stay in tune (it lives in the case mostly, but still...). Unfortunately, the 9 gauge 8 string sets have an 80 on the bottom. Once I’m 100% decided on gauges for this guitar, I’m gonna piece together NYXLs for it. The other guitars are getting them when I run out of EXLs.

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

I played a gig with them last night on my Parker P-38. No locking tuners, and a non locking Wilkinson trem. I dive-bombed some feedback at the end of one of the songs. The strings were totally slack. I was expecting to be totally out of tune afterwards and I wasn’t! Just had to tweak the low E a bit. I was in drop D.

Totally impressed with them.

I said “totally” too many times in this post. [emoji16]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weepingminotaur]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

Ty Tabor tunes low and uses light strings. So I did the same.
It works for him, and it works for me.

I went as high as 12-56 tuned to D with my old Les Paul.
Now I'm using 10-46, the tone is almost the same and I can play for hours with no discomfort. I dig it.
Heavier strings feel great, but playing a buttery instrument feels even better.

My Ibanez SZ which I normally use for E currently has 10-49, but I think I'll drop it to 9-42 and see what happens.

Funny, I own the same LP you do, I think (Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro). I keep it in E standard. Current string gauge is 11-52, which has a great tone, but is not geared to play fast. I think I am going to try 9-46 and see what happens.

[Diego]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

Funny, I own the same LP you do, I think (Les Paul Standard PlusTop Pro). I keep it in E standard. Current string gauge is 11-52, which has a great tone, but is not geared to play fast. I think I am going to try 9-46 and see what happens.

That's correct. Mine is definitely not set for playing fast tho, I've got 2 mm. of action in the high strings and 2.5 mm in the low strings side. So it's medium action I guess.

I'm not sure I'd go for a 9 for the high E, that's gonna be very slinky but hey, might be your ticket for sweet, effortless bends.

Let us know how it goes!

[weepingminotaur]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

That's correct. Mine is definitely not set for playing fast tho, I've got 2 mm. of action in the high strings and 2.5 mm in the low strings side. So it's medium action I guess.

I'm not sure I'd go for a 9 for the high E, that's gonna be very slinky but hey, might be your ticket for sweet, effortless bends.

Let us know how it goes!

Yeah, not sure if I'll do 9 for high E or 10. I want slinky but not all the way spaghetti noodle. :P

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

Hey JB, have you tried the D’Addario NYXL strings?

Got the 9-80 NYXL set for my 8 string by cashing in Player's Points. The F# (80) and B (60) are super tight on the 27" scale, but they sound great. I need to go through and tweak the action now, as I think the heavier strings can definitely go lower.

As an aside, this guitar (Ibanez TAM10) is my first 5 piece neck with Wenge reinforcement strips. It's incredible how much this stabilizes the neck. You know how when you're removing the strings the others raise in pitch a little? In the past, I'm used to the high E being almost pulled flat against the frets. On the TAM10, I took off 7 strings, and the high E was still at pitch. Even with the giant headstock and long neck, if I shake the guitar, there's only the slightest amount of pitch wobble. Pretty incredible.

[Progbusters]

Re: Low tunings + low tension = good

Eb standard is nice.