Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

StratFreak

StratFreak

New member
I'm going guitar hunting tomorrow morning, and I've decided a long time ago that I'm gonna tune this guitar to Drop C (CGCFAD) because most music I now listen to falls to that tuning. Enough talk, my question:

If I prefer 10-52 for E Standard Tuning, what is the ideal string gauge for me if I'm tuning a guitar (most likely a Les Paul (24.75) or a Schecter Blackjack solo-6 (25.5)) to Drop C tuning ?? ? (CGCFAD)

(This may have been asked before, but I couldnt find exactly the same idea in another thread.)

Thanks for the help bros :D
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

if there is some skinny top heavy bottom kind of set for .11, i'd say that's your best bet.

.12 and .13 are INSANE.

I sometimes use b strings (.13) when I break my high e and have no replacement.

I can't bend at all, so any type of technique on that string is limited to hammer ons and pull offs... two handed hammer ons..
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

I like .012 gauge for dropped B on 24.75 scale guitars.

.011 gauge should be good for dropped C, for every step you usually go up one gauge in strings.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

^ I didn't know D'addario made those. They'd be perfect for drop C.

I use 11-52 for D standard tuning on a 25.5" scale, floating trem and all that jazz, and find that the 52 to be ideal. Not too stiff, but still flexible enough to gvie back a little bounce to the pick. If you're going down to C on that lowest string, then a 54 or 56 would be better.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

ConvoysToNothingness said:
^ I didn't know D'addario made those. They'd be perfect for drop C.

I use 11-52 for D standard tuning on a 25.5" scale, floating trem and all that jazz, and find that the 52 to be ideal. Not too stiff, but still flexible enough to gvie back a little bounce to the pick. If you're going down to C on that lowest string, then a 54 or 56 would be better.
Click to expand...

Alright thanks man! I'm gonna try that pack then. Is there any thing i should know when setting it up ??
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

Prepare yourself to Maybe have to enlarge the nut slots for the 3 wound strings (little sand paper job can do the trick, take care not to sand DEEPER, but only the sides of the slot). You'll understand once there, the string might not get in easily and you could be victim of some tuning issues. I had to do this a little for my PRS SE Custom that is currently in drop C with 11-54 (25"). I use Ernie Ball cause Beefy Slinky sounds so bad arse.

Edit : And I approve your choice on Schecter Solo-6 models, I dig the shape a lot and Schecter are great guitars in my book!
 
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Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

There is no set gauge for any tuning. The only real option is to experiment for yourself. It is very possible to downtune light strings. Out of curiosity I downtuned my Les Paul with 8s to Db standard with absolutely no problems. Didn't get any intonation problems and there weren't any needs to change technique. If you like light sets, use a light set. If you like heavy sets, use a heavy set.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

^ +1

I use 13-62 for B/drop A in LP guitar. I'd use 12-60 for drop C. I just like heavy sets.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

Drop tunings never have the right tension on the sixth string if you're using a standard set.

Use a set on the top five strings, a much thicker string than would match with that set on the sixth for the dropped tuning.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

StratFreak said:
So 11-56 ?

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=26

Would these be fine?
Click to expand...

Yes, they work Perfectly. Thats the exact set I've been using in my Band,

Coyle which is in Drop C Tuning. The .56 on the Low E has the exact amount

of tension IMO to prevent the string from going sharp, which is a common

problem if you hit the strings hard and use lighter gauge strings for drop

tuning yet they won't fight you on string bends like a .12-.13 would. The

Price, Longevity, & Sound is what keep me coming back to D'addario

EXL-117's. Other sets I've used that work well for Drop C :

- Ernie Ball Beefy Slinkys (.11-.54)

- DR JH-10 Tite Fits (.10-.56)

Try the D'addario EXL-117's, you'll thank me and whoever else recommended

them later!!
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

You'll never get a set of strings to have the same tension of 10-52's in standard if you tune down to drop C...

You'll HAVE to settle and just hope for a set of strings that don't feel like rubber bands.

If I were you I'd start with something like this...

12-15-19-28-48-60

I know that sounds HUGE but you already use strings with big wound strings and you're dropping the D and A strings a full step and then the low E 2 full steps plus you're also looking at a 24.75 inch scale...
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

I personally like the sound of the low E string going sharp the harder you hit it.

One of the things about Metallica that Bob Rock "corrected". The slight sharpening gives an aggressive edge to the sound and adds a bit of tension. I personally love the sound... it's very human and emotional... "fixing it" makes the music seem less realistic and bland.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

I'd say 12 to 54 seems like it would be best for you.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

zenmindbeginner said:
I personally like the sound of the low E string going sharp the harder you hit it.

One of the things about Metallica that Bob Rock "corrected". The slight sharpening gives an aggressive edge to the sound and adds a bit of tension. I personally love the sound... it's very human and emotional... "fixing it" makes the music seem less realistic and bland.
Click to expand...

Yeah I see what you mean.... but there is a big difference between slight shapening when you dig in that can sound pissed off and sharpening caused by lack of string tension that will make you sound out of tune/like Sh!t
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

JOEBACCA said:
Yeah I see what you mean.... but there is a big difference between slight shapening when you dig in that can sound pissed off and sharpening caused by lack of string tension that will make you sound out of tune/like Sh!t
Click to expand...

True. But again you can use any strings for any tuning. When I use 8s in Db standard, I didn't really get much if any slight sharpening even though I am using 1.18 mm picks. I've seen all points of the spectrum. I've used 12s, 13s, 11s, 9s, 8s in the same tunings and I can say this: It doesn't really matter. Whatever feels right and works for you. You're really just going to have to experiment, especially since every post suggests a different string gauge. Just go with your gut and move on from there.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

On my V guitar that I have tuned to drop C I took a 10-46+ 58 (bulk) set and left off the 10.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

I use these for my drop c guitars and they have blown my mind, tune up great, stay that way, stay bright, never lose tension, never break, and they're cheap too!

I have used them for years.

Not that big of a change from what you already use, and the tension is plenty good for even fast hyper picking...

beefy__88280_zoom.jpg
 
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Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

Thanks everyone for the help, I did go with the 11-54 Ernie Ball's, and they're awesome. Love the feeling of them.
 
Re: Drop C tuning tension. Need help!

i always used the 10-52 for drop c but i was thinking maybe the zakk wylde set. they are hybrid with 10's or so on high strings and down to 60 on low e.
 
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