setting up a guitar in a drop tuning?

[devilfish]

Hey,

I need some tips/advice on how to set my different guitars up for different tunings. I've now decided for my new band I want my highway strat to be in drop C/# (probably just drop D but half a step down, possibly a full step)

But obviously if I just drop everytihng down the strings sound "loose" and I'm getting fret buzz etc.. What are the best tips for setting guitars up for heavier drop tunings?

Thanks

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: setting up a guitar in a drop tuning?

heavier strings, raise your bridge a turn or two, reset intonation, check nut slots to make sure the strings fit. if not, just get a little bit of fine grit sandpaper in there by putting a little piece between the nut and string, then just file it until it fits. that's pretty much it.

 

[John_L]

Re: setting up a guitar in a drop tuning?

Get a set of DR's new Drop Down Tuning strings and for Drop D you probably won't have to do much more than a small tweak on the intonation. If you get the Drop Down 10's they will work fine with out you having to raise the bridge and mess up the nut and so on. They really work I use a set in open D on a short scale length Duo Sonic and they feel firmer than the 10-52's I was using before.
For a Strat going down to C≠ or D DDT's 10-46 will do the job no trouble.
http://www.drstrings.com/catalog/ddt-electric-strings