10-52 for tuning down to C

[75lespaul]

Just wondering. I've got a Turser (yeah, yeah) LP copy that the action is just wicked on, and 9s are just too light for this guitar. So I just got a set of 10-52 strings in, when I get this bright idea that I wanna start playing with lower tunings, some drop tunings, etc. What should I expect as far as string sloppiness with a gauge this light for lower tunings? Not that bad, should still sound good? Don't waste your time and get heavier strings? May as well put boiled Angel Hair Pasta on the piece of poo poo? What say you? Have fun with this and hit me with your best sarcastic and downright hideously rude answers, lol. But I really do wanna know what to expect when I put these things on the guitar.

EDIT 4/9/16: PLEASE SEE MY LAST POST BELOW. Didn't think this question deserved a "new" thread.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

Down-tuned 10-52 gauge strings are going to be just as unsatisfactory as 9-42 in Standard tuning.

 

[Demanic]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I would try some of the Dunlop Heavy Core strings.

 

[Sunshine1901]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I have a Schecter C1 Classic that I recently tuned a 5th down (BEADF#B). To compensate for the lack of tension, I had to put 13s on it. I went with DR Spiders, which are made by a British company and specially designed (apparently) to be drop tuned. They sound great, but I've been looking into special ordering a set of Dean Markley Blue Steels (my favorite for standard and Eb tuning) to see how they work. The DRs sound great, but don't compare to the Blue Steels in terms of longevity.

I initially tried using 14s, but even with the bridge mount (mount? saddle?) for the 3rd string moved as far back as possible, I couldn't get the intonation right... it was still just a tad sharp... so I had to settle for 13s. I'm currently working on a build with a Floyd Rose that I plan on making my B Standard guitar. The FR bridge offers a bit more wiggle room in this regard compared to the fixed bridge that you see on Schecters and similar guitars, so I'm expecting the 14s to work well.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

C tuning requires .012 gauge strings and maybe even .013.

.010 gauge strings would flap in the breeze and you'd constantly be warping the intonation by slightly bending the strings when you play.

 

[akio]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I've done C-standard with 10-52 in Gibson scale a few times. It's kind of floppy, but not unmanageable. 10-60 works out a little better for me on a 25.5" scale though.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I think what I'm gonna do is use the 10s on the Turser as planned, but use that guitar for standard tuning and put a couple of replacement pickups in it. Now, my Epiphone 60s Tribute is loaded with a Duncan Distortion and Jazz, and would probably be better suited for low tunings, no? I saw someone recommend in an old post a set of Dunlop Heavy Core 7 strings and ditch the 10 E string, effectively making it a set of 13-60s. Would a standard Epi nut accommodate those strings, or would I need something lighter? EDIT: I was messing around with the Epi tuned to C with 9s and it was pretty funny, lol. Barely touching the strings threw it way outta tune, but it sounded sooo sweet. I'm gonna go with the heavy core strings, but just need to decide which ones.

 

[gottalovethe80s]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I use 10-52 for half step down/drop C#
you'd need at least 11-56 for C standard

 

[koshikas]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

i normally play 10-46 on my 25.5" scale guitar with a floating trem. for experimentation, i strung it with 12-54, and the trem angle returned to previous state (parallel to the body) only when i tuned to C# standard.

since yours is a shorter scale guitar, tuning down to C with 10-52 would be very floppy.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

And a year later, hahaha. I did get the heavy core strings, right after this thread. 11-50. I also bought a single .60 because I was going to use it for my 7 string, but I never played the thing. Bought it on a whim, never had the desire to learn it. I'm old. So I'm going to string up an original era Epiphone Genesis with the Heavy Cores today. What is the lowest tuning I should be able to get without floppiness and sharpness when pressing the strings? I'd like to get down to at least C# or drop C#. I was thinking about maybe not using the high E string, and stringing it up 14-60 but I'm assuming the nut won't handle that, and I'm not good with nuts (hee hee..deez nuts). Okay, I'm 52 but a REALLY immature 52. Thanks bros!

 

[Lampy H]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I would use a 12-60 set, but then again I use 11-56 in Eb.

EDIT: Didn't realize how old this post was.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

EDIT: Didn't realize how old this post was.

I just made an adjustment above so people can see that

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I wouldn't use anything below a 54 for C standard. As someone mentioned above the D'addario 12-60 set is designed for that tuning. Then again I hit quite hard in Drop C and I use a 56, but want to go to a 62!

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

You might get away with drop C with an 11-50 set, but I wouldn't try any lower. The 50 is still gonna be hella loose, at least by my standards. I'd use those for D standard or E flat.

If you really want to go C standard look for a 12 or 13 to 56/58. You could try the sets with the 60, I just usually like them in B better. 12-60 makes a good drop B set, 13-60 for B standard. I recommend B anyway, C standard, meh, unless you're really wanting to play Matt Pike riffs.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I use 9-46 for Drop C and I've never had a problem. However, I'd imagine they might be a bit "flappy" for standard C tuning.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: 10-52 for tuning down to C

I've always used 10-52s for standard and half step, 11-56s for D standard and drop C, and 12-60s for b and a#. All d'addario, on both gibson and fender scales. It's perfect for me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk