What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

[jrbowen81]

I have been experimenting with string gauges for quite some time, and I would like to know, what string gauges seem to be the best for dropped tunings, such as C# Standard and drop B on a 24-3/4" scale guitar?

When I say "best", what I mean is:

Proper string tension, overall tone, intonation issues, etc. Mainly focused toward those who play Gibson or other Gibson-scale (24-3/4") guitars.

Right now, I use the Cleartone Drop Tune 11-56 set on my Les Paul. These are actually (according to Cleartone) made for only tuning down 1 full step (aka D Standard) but I find that they still hold up pretty well in C# Standard (down 1-1/2 steps) or Drop B without buzzing (although I use fairly high action anyway). I do find them to be lacking a bit in string tension.

What gauge of strings have any of you guys used in the aforementioned tuning that still feel like a guitar in standard tuning with, say, a regular set of 10s or 11s on it? I know I should probably know this stuff by now, but I thought I'd have a little fun with it and get some opinions from other players.

Thanks in advance for your answers! Cheers.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

On a 24.75 inch scale guitar, 60 for the low B string (6th string), 46 for the E (5 string) and 36 for the A (4th string).
Top three strings, guess it depends on how much you bend and stuff

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

might as well get a 7 string lol

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I have a set of .012 - .056 Not-Even -Slinky's on the one guitar that I drop tune. I have them tuned to standard tuning down a fourth - B to B. They don't feel too slack. But the scale length of that guitar is 27".

I tend to want the low strings to feel and sound fairly stout, so even on the guitars I tune to standard tuning, I use light top-heavy bottom strings.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Yayuh.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I personally recommend stealing highway lightpoles for this purpose.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Haha!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I'd look at what 7-string set use for the bottom 6 strings.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I used 60s for my short scale guitar for the Drop C tuning. It was good. For low B you get to the direction of 70. Try a 64/66 first.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I use that exact tuning on an SG and a LTD EC100 (24.75). I use D'Addario 12-60.

That 24p from the EB NES set SUUUUUXXXXXX.

 

[Warheart]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

On a 24.75 inch scale guitar, 60 for the low B string (6th string), 46 for the E (5 string) and 36 for the A (4th string).
Top three strings, guess it depends on how much you bend and stuff

+1.
I use a .059 for C, and its as tight as a 46 in E.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Cool, thanks guys! I may go for 12-60 & see how that goes.

 

[metaljake666]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

i prefer these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...7-string-electric-guitar-strings--heavy-gauge without the 10 guage string on an mtm1 with REALLY low action.

 

[Chad]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Very subjective and guitar dependent. But I'd start by using whatever gauge you like for standard tuning, toss the high E, then experiment with a few gauges to determine what you like for the B string. I don't like the tone or feel of overly heavy gauges. Also, I like the slack feel that lower tunings give.

Here's a thread with a lot of detailed analysis of string selection that might be helpful:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=202676

 

[Koreth]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

For Drop C on a 25.5" scale, I run 10, 14, 18, 26, 36, 56. This gives me a similar tension and feel to 9, 12, 16, 24, 32, 44 for E Standard. Keeping with the same rising tension from high to low, for drop B on a 24.75 scale , I'd try 12, 16, 20, 30, 42, 64. That would probably come out heavier, but 11s at Drop B on a 24.75" scale would feel looser than 9s on a 25.5" scale

 

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I agree with DB

I used 60s for my short scale guitar for the Drop C tuning. It was good. For low B you get to the direction of 70. Try a 64/66 first.

 

[Quibby]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

So you don't have a bass player? 'cause seems like you'd be playing his parts. Is it even possible to downtune to a B, considering a guitar was designed to be tuned at E. Tuning down 5 steps? All the best, but I don't see how you could have any tension at all. I wouldn't think your nut and bridge would even go high enough on a Les Paul, maybe on a baritone...

 

[Lux84]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

I will borrow this theme a bit...i am planning on going with my Hamer Explorer, to C Standard/Drop B tuning. it has 24-3/4 scale. in Standard E/Drop D i am using 10-48. which gauge should i use in C Standard/Drop B that the tension will be the same ? and which humbucker would be darker sounding in maple body guitar... SH-5 Custom ( ceramic ) or SH-4 JB ( alnico V ) ? i am looking for a stoner/sludge/southern sounds. which would be better with that maple explorer 24-3/4 guitar in C Standard/Drop B ?

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

C Standard Dropped B (not sure why your E string isn't dropped Bb at C standard) should equal to .012 gauge strings... you might even need to crack open a .013 and grab the low E and A strings... and then you might have a stiff G string and might need to go a lower gauge on that one. I usually grab a "D" string (.024) from a set of .009 gauge strings and use that as my G string since .026 is just too stiff for my wide bending style.

When I do dropped B I need 3 PACKS OF STRINGS! Lolz! I use Blue Steels and they don't need changing after even a year of playing, so it's all good.

My custom set for dropped B tuning (C#) is: .012, .015, .024, .034, .046, .056

I have been tuning to dropped B since 1994 and this is what I have come by as the ultimate string gauge set, but like I said, it takes me 3 packs of strings to accomplish.

 

[Lux84]

Re: What is the ideal string gauge for drop B tuning?

Damn, it was my mistake.. not drop b, but drop Bb as you said. from standard c you can do drop Bb. so which strings for C Standard/ Drop Bb ? i guess some 13-60 ?