String gauge to try Drop Bb out?

[Rex_Rocker]

OK, I wanna play some 'N Flaymz and stuffz.

I'm probably going to tune my Fender Strat to that tuning. Gonna have to file the nut, more than likely, but I needz me some Drop Z chuggz in my life.

I'm doing my research about string gauges. I use a custom 11-59 set for Drop C on all my guitars, 24.75" and 25.5" alike. I don't want to order a custom set for Drop Bb if I'm not 100% sure I'll keep the guitar in that tuning long-term, though. So before I commit... what should I be looking at just to test the waters? Is someone making like a 12-64 set somewhere?

Thanks!

 

[Seashore]

.067 would give you the same tension you're used to on the low string.

D'Addario makes a .012-.062 set that I used in drop B flat for years. Not my fave but they're ok. I ended up buying thicker low strings because the .062 was too floppy and intonation suffered.

If you just need low strings, JustStrings has Ernie Ball singles, order a few and see what you like. I like EBs better than D'Addario.

 

[Chistopher]

That's a really strange set you got there. Your top 5 strings are the same size as I tune in E standard and then your low E is 30% larger. To me, part of the allure of drop tuning is the sound of the low E string getting absolutely thwacked while under-tensioned.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

.067 would give you the same tension you're used to on the low string.

D'Addario makes a .012-.062 set that I used in drop B flat for years. Not my fave but they're ok. I ended up buying thicker low strings because the .062 was too floppy and intonation suffered.

If you just need low strings, JustStrings has Ernie Ball singles, order a few and see what you like. I like EBs better than D'Addario.

Is it 12-60? I wish they had a 12-62, but only 12-60 or 13-62.

I kinda like the tone from EB's too, but I MUCH prefer the way D'Addario sets are put together. And I prefer the packaging from D'Ads better too when ordering single strings. Keeps them fresh for longer in a really humid environment like it is here.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

That's a really strange set you got there. Your top 5 strings are the same size as I tune in E standard and then your low E is 30% larger. To me, part of the allure of drop tuning is the sound of the low E string getting absolutely thwacked while under-tensioned.

It's not that bad. It does get progressively heavier from the 1st to the 5th string, but it's just pretty much kinda like a hybrid set kinda like a 9-46 in E, just better planned. And that 59 in C is actually the same tension as a 46 in E which is around 16-ish lb.

The undertension doesn't really work for me. I play hard, and I play relatively fast music. Seashore actually recommended I'd go heavier, but I also really like the tone of lighter strings, so I kinda stuck to a middle ground between feel and tone, I feel.

 

[Mincer]

I say, just try it out with what you have. If you can't keep it in tune, or want to take a deeper dive, dedicate the guitar (string size, nut, intonation, etc) to it.

 

[Seashore]

Is it 12-60? I wish they had a 12-62, but only 12-60 or 13-62.

I kinda like the tone from EB's too, but I MUCH prefer the way D'Addario sets are put together. And I prefer the packaging from D'Ads better too when ordering single strings. Keeps them fresh for longer in a really humid environment like it is here.

Shoot, I guess the D'Addario set is 13-62. Sorry. It's been a long while since I last used them. Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinky is 12-62.

If you want .011 on top and something like what you're used to on the bottom, get a set of Hybrid Slinkys and a separate EB single .068, and leave the highest string from the Hybrid set off.