Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

[papersoul]

Hi all,

I am bumping the gauge on my LP Standard which is totally stock to 11-56. This is exactly 11 14 30 42 56 in EB and most often dropped C#. Is this nuts??? It feels fine to me so I went with it. I tend to like a very tight feeling and sound because I play aggressively when gigging and rehearsing. We play a fairly heavy modern style so it seems to work well. I hate any flop in my strings although I know supposedly it is easier to play with lighter strings.

My low end is so much tighter and punchier with the .56.

The .56 seems to fit fine through the tuning peg but I can only get about one
wrap after I use the wrap and lock technique.

Any thoughs?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

No, it´s not nuts. I string everything with 12-52 (Standard tuning) or heavier, up to the point where on 2 or 3 axes the e string tuner is modified (drilled out) to accept an 0.080

As long as you set the axe up correctly, you should have no problems

 

[papersoul]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

How are you able to wrap a .80 around the post!!!??? Do you think I'll need to use a file to hollow out the tuning post a little more? It seems fine.

Since my LP is mostly in dropped C#...I had a difficult time finding the right C# and Ab strings for optimal balance, size and tension. Maybe a 44 and 56.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

How are you able to wrap a .80 around the post!!!???

I string my wound strings differently, I go directly through the post and go above the string with the first wrab, below with the rest (See Dan Erlewine´s "Guitar Player Repair Guide", first section "getting Started" for a pic)

Do you think I'll need to use a file to hollow out the tuning post a little more? It seems fine.

Nope, most tuning pegs are built to work with up to 0.070, so you shouldn´t need any mods there

 

[papersoul]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

So you go above for the first wrap? do use the locking wrap technique like in his book? I can only get the lock in and about one wrap with a 56.

What do you think about 56-44-32-18-14-11 rather than my set?

 

[Imp]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

just have a truss rod adjuster and a knowledge of how to use it handy, you should be fine man

put it this way - who would sell strings capable of hurting a guitar that quickly?

i got 30-135 on a five string bass.. nothing surprises me anymore :laugh2:

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

Well if it feels good than it's perfectly normal!
That's exactly the set of strings I'm getting too, I find a regular .11 set too floppy on the low E string in D tuning.
For modern style music you definately need that tight and heavy low E string for uber chunk.

I'm not shure I understand the wrap thing, is the string too fat or not long enough?

 

[papersoul]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

Well if it feels good than it's perfectly normal!
That's exactly the set of strings I'm getting too, I find a regular .11 set too floppy on the low E string in D tuning.
For modern style music you definately need that tight and heavy low E string for uber chunk.

I'm not shure I understand the wrap thing, is the string too fat or not long enough?

I thread the string through the post thern lock in place. From hear I just wrap below as normal. He was saying for heavier strings because they are so fat, may have to be wrapped on top once....I have never tried this.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

I read an article from the guy who makes SOS strings...good guy. He was saying a .90 gauge string on a guitar is poinless because it would be utter mud and I wondfer about the .80??

 

[Hellion]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

My guages on Lizzie (76 Custom) are 10-52, with a standard tuning. I can't even imagine an 80 on there. I'll bet you're getting plenty of bottom end!

 

[strat_master]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

an .80?!?!?!?! zerb what tuning do you play in with that bad boy?!?!?

 

[Nate]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

*coughstaindcough*

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Heavy strings on a Les Paul.

0.080 = B

I used to have a seven string Baritone, there I used the 0.080 all the way from A down to e :saeek: