Best scale length for C# standard?

[Thundermtn]

I'm going to be dedicating a guitar to this tuning specifically. I don't want the strings to be normal E tension, slightly less for just a little bit of that floppy sound but still be able to pick relatively fast and not have them mush completely out. 25.5"? What should I go with? 6 string guitar with the low C# in the .46-.50 range. Thanks

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I have my strats in D# standard at that tension you described with 10-54s. I think if you go with 25.5" scale with 6 in line tuners and regular headstock, 11- 59s will be perfect. 11,15,20,30,43,59. Balanced overall with the bass strings slightly tighter than the treble but still a lil loose and not flappy. Treble strings are easy to bend.

 

[frostopsy]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I played C# for years. I went with the Ernie Ball 11-49, and they were perfect. It reminds me of using 9-42s on E standard.

I used a Jackson JJ, which is probably the Gibson scale.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

It doesn't matter. I've used 24.75, 25 and 25.5 for C# standard, all work well. Strings and pick ups make a far bigger difference than scale length. I like GHS GB-Low for C#. Those are 11-53, although also gotten away with 10-52 TNT set.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

Depends on how you play. Some can't deal with floppy strings, some can't deal with tight strings.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

^Yas. You'll be good to go with Fender, PRS, or Gibson scale, don't really need anything longer. Tuning down a half step lowers the tension around going down half a gauge. So if you tune 11s down 3 half steps, it'll feel similar to 9.5s in standard tuning. And if you end up getting Fender style, you should let me talk you into my custom 11- 59s.

 

[dave74]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

C#-standard for me on a 25" or a 25.5" would be;

11,15,22w,32,42,54

On a true gibby-scale I'd just bump-up the 5th to 44 and the 6th to 56.
That smidget difference between Gibson and PRS/Carvin is just enough to force me up on the big wounds.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I've have a 24.75" guitar that's had crazy light .42-.009 strings in C# for a few years. For what I was doing then the overly floppy strings with slightly latter blooming notes worked. It was a unique sound that i was the only guy using for the most part in comparison with the other bands we played with.

Now I'm moving into more of a lead type situation and need more tension than that setup for lead, speed, and triplet parts that are more consistent.

First I tried a .52-.10 hybrid set, it had very slightly too much tension @ 24.75" and I hated how big the low strings were.

Next I went with a .44-.0095 set, comfortable but still too floppy.

Tried it out briefly on my LP with the Gibson's. .46-.009, it was getting closer, loved the gauge size but wanted a little more tension.

I've messed briefly with a tension calculator and it looked like a standard .49 medium set of strings in C# with Fender scale length will give me around or slightly less tension than the 24.75" .42-.009 E standard set I learned to play with. It's just a calculator though and was wondering if would be correct "feel" wise.

Keep the responses coming, I'm going to try a lot of stuff before I lay down the $ for a new guitar built for C# standard. Thanks

 

[frostopsy]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I played lead in my band while using 11-49s, I say give them a shot. I hate floppy strings, the reason I started using 11-49 is because I used heavy strings on my standard E tuned strats. Good luck!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

If you want to achieve the tension of 9-42 in E standard on your Gibson, 10-52s in C# standard on a Fender style will get you there.

If you want to get more accurate readings on the tension calculator to compare different guitars or to build your own custom sets, multiply the string length outside the scale by .5 and add that to the scale for each string. For example on a Gibson:

27.25
28
28.75
28.75
28
27.25

 

[baritone]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

C#-standard can be done on pretty much any scale length. Just keep up w/ the trial & error til you find what's right.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

On a fender style guitar I find that 11's feel about right for C#, a little bit loose but 12's feel a bit too heavy. Maybe 11-52 if you want to chug on low strings but still want some more normal tension for the upper strings. I find heavy strings easier to play fast on because of how rigid they stay across your picking hand, whereas I find looser strings flop around meaning that the centre of your pick attack is constantly moving, making you sloppier (though it can be adjusted for, plenty of players use 10-52 in drop C or C standard without issue, just too floppy for me).

My other advice here is just to get a 27 inch~ baritone guitar and start writing music in B. It's way cooler sounding.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I just tuned my Strat down to C#. I think I'm into it, it sounds good. The strings are 10,13.5,18,28,39,54. It feels nice and loose but not floppy. Tension is balanced all across. I think you should go for the custom 10-54 set.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

My 52-10 set feels too thick, does sound better though.

A baritone isn't out of the question, never played one though. Need to get some time on one if I can find it.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

Oh. The individual strings' tension in packs are pretty much all over the place. If you're really picky about your tension like I am, you have to make custom sets. stringtensionpro.com <-- Add half the non sounding string length to the scale length for each string and it will get you close to the correct tension readings. This way you can make a custom set however you want.

Take 10-52 Daddarios for example. Regardless of what they say the tensions are, on a Strat, the 13 and 17 are gonna be looser than the 10. And the 30 and 42 are gonna be way tighter than the 52. It kind of throws off the feel of the set.

 

[dave74]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I just tuned my Strat down to C#. I think I'm into it, it sounds good. The strings are 10,13.5,18,28,39,54. It feels nice and loose but not floppy. Tension is balanced all across. I think you should go for the custom 10-54 set.

Balanced by torque-pull?,,,,, or balanced by "perceived-tension"?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

^ I used the tension calculator with revised scale length for each string to choose the gauges and it came out pretty well. After playing it for a month, I'd increase the gauge of individual strings which seemed the loosest then they would end up tighter than the rest of the set. Like going from a 39 to 40 or 13.5 to 14. Pretty sure it's very close to balanced.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Best scale length for C# standard?

I've had my Epiphone Les Paul Custom (24 3/4" scale) down to dropped B/C# standard. I just upped the string gauge (IIRC I ran an 11 set). I didn't have any problems, used it in a metal band, played through my JVM for awhile, and later a Triple Rec I no longer own. Worked just fine. It's currently tuned dropped C/D standard with the same string gauge.

I also used some of my other guitars with a 25 1/2" scale (Jackson, Ibanez) when my old band was tuned lower like that, again with 11s, IIRC. Same thing, no problems.

The point is, you just need to maintain adequate string tension. Longer scales will let you use lighter gauges, and heavier gauges will let you use shorter scales. Simple as that.