Downtune to B: What string gauges?

[Wakizashis]

Hi. To the thing. I would like to donwtune a lot to B.
My dilema is what string gauges. 12 or 11 is not enough. One need to have equal tension on all strings. I am mostly worrying about neck of my XPT700. I am afraid of neck-whirl. I have seen nice tension article here on Jemsite but not with thick strings for so low tuning.

On my other 25,5" scale I have E standard and GHS Boomers 10-46, on my Xiphos now I have 12-52 in D standard (For treble strings it would be ok even 11).

What I am asking for gauge of treble strings and gauge of bass strings. For bass ones I saw GHS 10-60 which had ok bass strings but 10s for treble ones in B? That must be pretty sick for the neck. In pack 13-56 I am worrying about bass ones if are thick enough. I saw Earnie Balls ( no experience with em) for seven string 11-58 where I could take away the highest string. But I can buy my favourite GHS in half price, so If I woul use bass strings of 10-60 pack and maybe 12 of 12-52 pack It would cost still less than EB pack. And maybe 13-56 would be good choice too. What do you think?

I am asking because a floating tremolo factor. When I set up guitar to be in tune and neck and so, I would like to have ok guitar totally save.

Thank you for any advices and I am sorry for my English which is not very good.

[brothersnowgone]

In my band we are tuned to dropped B. So I can advise you on the B string. I use a 56 on the B I believe and it not too loose, almost like a 46 in standard tuning. I don't like Ernie ball strings, they corrode too fast for my taste. I'd stick with the GHS (my favorite strings too) if I were you. I think you should try your idea out, the 13-56 set, you might have to lighten up the treble strings a bit, but it's a good set to start with I think.

[ColinMmmmm]

could you not just get a 7-string set and use the bottom 6? If you couldn't find a gauge heavy enough . . .

[dogdaysunrise]

Use this string tension calculator:
http://www.bangzero.org/stringtension/

With your 10-46 on your 25.5 scale you have a string tension of 46.99kg

len 25.5"

E .010" PL == 7.35kg
B, .013" PL == 6.98kg
G, .017" Pl == 7.52kg
D, .026" nw == 8.35kg
A,, .036" nw == 8.86kg
E,, .046" nw == 7.93kg
total == 46.99kg

E 23# PL == 0.3024mm
B, 23# PL == 0.4037mm
G, 30# PB == 0.607mm
D, 30# PB == 0.8049mm
A,, 30# PB == 1.068mm
E,, 26# PB == 1.3442mm

Ok to B now:
With the 13-56 set he recommended you have 45.52kg, slightly lower than with E -10 - 46

len 25.5"

b,, .013" PL == 6.98kg
^f,, .017" PL == 6.7kg
d,, .026" nw == 8.35kg
a,,, .036" nw == 8.86kg
e,,, .046" nw == 7.93kg
b,,,, .056" nw == 6.71kg
total == 45.52kg

E 23# PL == 0.3024mm
B, 23# PL == 0.4037mm
G, 30# PB == 0.607mm
D, 30# PB == 0.8049mm
A,, 30# PB == 1.068mm
E,, 26# PB == 1.3442mm


The closest you would be with a light Baritone set:
len 25.5"

b,, .013" PL == 6.98kg
^f,, .017" PL == 6.7kg
d,, .026" nw == 8.35kg
a,,, .036" nw == 8.86kg
e,,, .046" nw == 7.93kg
b,,,, .062" nw == 8.23kg
total == 47.05kg

E 23# PL == 0.3024mm
B, 23# PL == 0.4037mm
G, 30# PB == 0.607mm
D, 30# PB == 0.8049mm
A,, 30# PB == 1.068mm
E,, 26# PB == 1.3442mm

[Timbaline]

The solution lies with a 7-string guitar.

[Wakizashis]

Originally Posted by Timbaline

The solution lies with a 7-string guitar.

Thanks for an advice, but I cannot afford some good seven string now. Guitars here in Europe are much more expensive than in USA for example.

Thanks to others for hints and that calculator. I maybe try firstly that 13-56 pack, Later maybe I ll try to use bass ones from 10-60 if 56 will not be enough. I hope that the bass string will fit in bridge parts and will not be too thick Also IŽ ll try GHS Boomers, maybe I take a look for suggested Baritones if we have some set in our shop (I have doubts about it).

Thank you a lot people. I am going to send you results when I finish the procedure.

[Timbaline]

.58 gives a pretty good low B on a 25.5 scale

[crossbones]

I've successfully used d'addrio 7 strings without the high e and I'm quite enjoying the Kerry King signature sets. He plays in standard c sharp but his sets come with an extra .56 low string for down tuning. I've Been using them on my RG with a floyd rose.

With the correct setup and truss rod adjustments I wouldn't worry too much about the neck.

[Wakizashis]

Hello again. As I said I am back with the fact I have my guitar in B tuning now. So I used strings from 10-46 without high e and then I have used 60 from ZW signature. It is good. Strings are bit bigh than before, but now I do not have any fret buzz. Before, it was very imminent. Maybe I try some trust rod adjustment but I guess it will not be necessary. I checked and corrected intonation as well as the tuner permited. Tuning was quite fun, but if you block tremolo and tight claw screws, tuning is made in few seconds. Then only the correction of claw screws in needed. This is my fastest way how to tune a double-floater Thanks for help mates.