Best string gauge for down tunes???

[Warheart]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

No, that's what a truss rod is for.

My friend and I had custom guitars made, Similar in shape, materials and build, except that He went with a thick Boat Strat shaped neck, a lot of wood. He can use 9's at drop C, and it is a little loose, but stays in tune. My guitar has a jackson shaped neck, much thinner, and is basically useless with 9's at drop C.

Check out Ratherdashings thread about neck bending...Logic dictates that a thicker neck would provide more resistance than a thinner neck, I just happen to have proof of this.

A truss rod is merely for relief, it is not the only thing countering string tension.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

If yours is useless with those strings, you'd just adjust the trussrod to compensate for the neck bending - that's what it's for.

Ratherdashing's thread has nothing to do with this; that's the changing in distance between the nut and the bridge, which changes tension. We're talking about adjusting the fretboard distance from the strings in order to straighten the neck to compensate for different string tensions.

Your guitar being useless has more to do with the bridge/neck joint combo you chose, and whether or not you have the guitar set up (both truss rod and bridge height) for those strings in that tuning.

 

[Warheart]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

If yours is useless with those strings, you'd just adjust the trussrod to compensate for the neck bending - that's what it's for.

Ratherdashing's thread has nothing to do with this; that's the changing in distance between the nut and the bridge, which changes tension. We're talking about adjusting the fretboard distance from the strings in order to straighten the neck to compensate for different string tensions.

Your guitar being useless has more to do with the bridge/neck joint combo you chose, and whether or not you have the guitar set up (both truss rod and bridge height) for those strings in that tuning.

sure

 

[Invader09]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

I use 9-43 GHS ROCK-ITS and tune Eb. Sounds and feels good to me.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

I dont think thick strings are neccesary for downtuning.

I tune down to drop A regularly, using .10-.46s

i like skinny top heavy bottom sets too: .10-52

 

[CTN]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

I'd say 11-54 also

and yes, if you want your tone to sound defined still and come through clearly, thicker gauges are ABSOLUTELY necessary. otherwise your 9-42s or 10-46s will sound like mud soup.

 

[MrD4rK5]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

I play in standard B tuning most of the time and sometimes C and D. I play in standard E seldom.

I use Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Strings and they are perfect for all the tunings that I've mentioned, IMO.

There is just enough sting on the low side with a normal high side. There is plenty of string to grab and the set is easy on the fingers.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

my guitar with 11-54s felt real nice when i had it in D/drop C. thats my pick.

11s sound right. I have been using 9s for D tuning but they will a little loose. I heard Alexi from COB is also using 11s with drop C tuning. I will give them a try next time.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Best string gauge for down tunes???

I use 64 for the C , and it feels very tight.