Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

[JB_From_Hell]

What string guages do you use?

I was using EB Beefy Slinky, but that plain 22 is rediculous, plus I've realized I prefer a wound third (stays in tune better w/ non-floyd guitars). At a local shop, I can put together custom sets of GHS, so I've been using 11,15,18w,32,44,60. I really like it, but it costs way more this way than if I was using a standard set.

Anybody have a really good stock set for tuning down in the drop C or B range?

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

i play all my guitars with 10's (10-46), and i have my ibanez tuned down to drop C. 10's are a little loose and floppy for being tuned this low, but i simply don't have the funds or the know-how to set it up for heavier strings.

i'd try 11's or 12's.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

GHS Zakk Wylde strings is what I'd use. His standard tuning strings are 10-60 and his low tune strings are 11-70. Work pretty well for anywhere in the Drop A to C range IMO.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I've tried virtually everything from GHS, Dean Markley, SIT & Ernie Ball.

Does D'addario or DR make a good low-tuning set (with a wound 3rd, if they're heavier than 10's)?

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

how about these? Everly X Rockers....

-Mike

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

Has anybody ever tried them? No local stores stock X-Rockers, so I'd have to order them.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I use GHS Boomers for Drop C (Strat).

13-17-26w-36-44-70

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

Is that the 13 set with a 70 instead of a 56?

 

[some_dude]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

Is that the 13 set with a 70 instead of a 56?

Yeah. I used to use standard DYMs (13s) and they sounded great. But I switched from Beefy Slinkys to ZW-LOs for standard E tuning 'cause they had the whole skinny top/heavy bottom thing going on, except I replaced the 70 with a 56 out of the DYM set....

....so I ended up with a bunch of 5-string packs of strings, and a bunch of 70s lying around doing nothing. You can figure the rest out for yourself.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

The only thing I don't dig about the Zakk sets is the 52 A string. 46 is about the heaviest A I like, regardless of tuning. Unless you're using at least a 64 for the E, they (the E & A) feel too close.

So you're using a 52 for the A, and a 56 for the E, and it doesn't feel goofy?

 

[some_dude]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

So you're using a 52 for the A, and a 56 for the E, and it doesn't feel goofy?

Not really. I've been thinking of switching it for a 58 or 60, but if it ain't broke....

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I tune to D with D'addario's EXL140: .010 - .013 - .017 - .030 - .042 - .052
When I drop to C I prefer an earnie ball power slinky set that is .011 - .054 (don't know what's inbetween but the 3rd is plain)

How come you guys use so insane heavy gauge strings? Do you prefer the strings real tight? I'd like to see your fingertips then!

 

[Kac]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I have a Fender Deluxe Fat Strat in Drop B I ONLY use Bullets on my strats, and the heaviest bullets are .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .052.... They work perfectly fine after I set-up the guitar.
Rock On :13:

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

How come you guys use so insane heavy gauge strings? Do you prefer the strings real tight? I'd like to see your fingertips then!

I have a really hard right hand attack, and I like to play really fast. Thin strings + low tuning + fast picking = slop. For the life of me, I do NOT understand how Slayer tune 9's down a half step. Heavier strings also last a lot longer, and I like to use a Floyd, so it eliminates worrying about breaking them.

It's also really funny to watch a friend pick up one of my guitars strung 13-60 and flip out when they try to play :laugh2:

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I tune to D with D'addario's EXL140: .010 - .013 - .017 - .030 - .042 - .052
When I drop to C I prefer an earnie ball power slinky set that is .011 - .054 (don't know what's inbetween but the 3rd is plain)

How come you guys use so insane heavy gauge strings? Do you prefer the strings real tight? I'd like to see your fingertips then!

I like heavy strings on everything. Like 11 or 13 on standard E. I love the tone you get with them. Kind of a Stevie Ray Vaughn thing I guess. I usually dont play with anything but 10-46 in standard though because it feels like you slammed your fingers in a door a couple hundred times after you play for a half hour :smack: :blackeye: :laugh2: lol But I need heavy strings for the lower tunings...I just cant play detuned without em.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I usually dont play with anything but 10-46 in standard though because it feels like you slammed your fingers in a door a couple hundred times after you play for a half hour

After a few hours or days (depending upon the jump in size) heavier strings feel normal. It's the light ones that I can't get used to Seriously, whenever I go into a store, I have to be really careful not to break strings, not to mention how 9s make a guitar feel like a toy.

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

I just tried a 11-50 set Ghs Sub Zeros. They are good in drop d, C. No loose action there.

I like the ZW set 10-60 but I like to be able to tune up to standard on a whim. I was told that tuning standard on a heavy gauge set like that could ruin your guitar. So Im trying to find that perfect compromise.

Jb. I did the same as you here in this semi-small town and make a custom set out of GHS it yeald some pretty good results....Not much more expensive but it was a good difference.

Oh yeah....Remember to add springs to your Floyd rose. Most of them can use two more springs. That makes a hell of a difference tuning low. You can use a 9-50 in a tuning as low as C and them not flap around the fret board when you add springs.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

i Installed a set of 08 tune the guitar in B or A t oget that WHERE THE SLIME LIVE riff of the morbdi angel ... and it was great
a lot of easyness to do bends, artificial harmonics and no STRESS with string tensions
AHHAHAAHAHHAH
and the guitar was not a baritone

 

[frigginalex]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

For the life of me, I do NOT understand how Slayer tune 9's down a half step.

I remember reading an interview where Kerry King explained that he and Jeff Hanneman use a very light attack when recording. They try not to dig in too much in order to get the best sound quality from their recordings. The thinner strings are also easier to bend.

The same isn't true live however, since they apprently put ruts in their fretboards from digging into them so much.

 

[shred me good]

Re: Hey, low-tuners (down in the B or C range)...

i know im not a detuner atall (concert e please) but i would reccomend EB not even slinky
i play them up in the regions of e and can still do bends and vibrato as well as is needed.
the guages go from 12 up to 56 which means your top strings are playable and your low three strings chug like broken trains. very nice!!!
the tone advantages of fat strings (imo) outnumber the playing drawbacks.