What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I agree with DB

I used 60s for my short scale guitar for the Drop C tuning. It was good. For low B you get to the direction of 70. Try a 64/66 first.

[Quibby]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

So you don't have a bass player? 'cause seems like you'd be playing his parts. Is it even possible to downtune to a B, considering a guitar was designed to be tuned at E. Tuning down 5 steps? All the best, but I don't see how you could have any tension at all. I wouldn't think your nut and bridge would even go high enough on a Les Paul, maybe on a baritone...

[Lux84]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I will borrow this theme a bit...i am planning on going with my Hamer Explorer, to C Standard/Drop B tuning. it has 24-3/4 scale. in Standard E/Drop D i am using 10-48. which gauge should i use in C Standard/Drop B that the tension will be the same ? and which humbucker would be darker sounding in maple body guitar... SH-5 Custom ( ceramic ) or SH-4 JB ( alnico V ) ? i am looking for a stoner/sludge/southern sounds. which would be better with that maple explorer 24-3/4 guitar in C Standard/Drop B ?

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

C Standard Dropped B (not sure why your E string isn't dropped Bb at C standard) should equal to .012 gauge strings... you might even need to crack open a .013 and grab the low E and A strings... and then you might have a stiff G string and might need to go a lower gauge on that one. I usually grab a "D" string (.024) from a set of .009 gauge strings and use that as my G string since .026 is just too stiff for my wide bending style.

When I do dropped B I need 3 PACKS OF STRINGS! Lolz! I use Blue Steels and they don't need changing after even a year of playing, so it's all good.

My custom set for dropped B tuning (C#) is: .012, .015, .024, .034, .046, .056

I have been tuning to dropped B since 1994 and this is what I have come by as the ultimate string gauge set, but like I said, it takes me 3 packs of strings to accomplish.

[Lux84]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Damn, it was my mistake.. not drop b, but drop Bb as you said. from standard c you can do drop Bb. so which strings for C Standard/ Drop Bb ? i guess some 13-60 ?

[CTN]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I'd go with a 12-56 or 58 if you can find it, or 13-60 depending on if you like your strings with a bit more flex or like steel bridge cables.

A friend of mine goes 13-60 in D standard on his 7 string with a 65 low A. Every time I do a setup for him I'm scared sh!tless that either the strings will snap and take one of my eyes out, or that the neck is gonna snap in half.

It feels like piano strings though. No flex whatsoever.

[Grindspine]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Since I use 10-46 for Eb on a 24.75" scale guitar, tuning to B with 13-56 should yield approximately the same tension.

I know I was pretty comfortable going down to A with the low string being a 56 on an Ibanez RGD with the 26.5" scale. That set was 10-46 on the higher six strings with a 56 on the low A.

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I'd go with those cables that they use to hold up suspension bridges.

[PFDarkside]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I will borrow this theme a bit...i am planning on going with my Hamer Explorer, to C Standard/Drop B tuning. it has 24-3/4 scale. in Standard E/Drop D i am using 10-48. which gauge should i use in C Standard/Drop B that the tension will be the same ? and which humbucker would be darker sounding in maple body guitar... SH-5 Custom ( ceramic ) or SH-4 JB ( alnico V ) ? i am looking for a stoner/sludge/southern sounds. which would be better with that maple explorer 24-3/4 guitar in C Standard/Drop B ?

I did the 12-56 set posted above for my LP in C standard and it was too floppy for me. (I tuned it up to D and it feels great) Might need the 13-60 for what you're doing.

On the topic of pickups, I play the same style stuff with the aforementioned LP and love the Custom. It's got great bass, it cuts with out being harsh and the ceramic magnet keeps the bottom tight. The JB could be an interesting combo with that tuning/style, especially if you like a bit looser bass. I might try a C5 though if you want the Alnico sag.

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Jim Root uses a 13 to 56 or 58. Considering his guitars are a 25.5 scale length, I'd go with something int he neighborhood of a 13-60 or 64.

Also known as The Dick Dale Light gauges.

[FretFire]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

This is what baritones are for . I'd think that even 12s or 13s would feel floppy tuned that low on a 24.75" scale guitar.

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Actually, I've gotten away with using 12-54's in that gauge. They even worked down to Drop A, back when I was on a Slipknot craze.