Tuning to C?

Gex · #1 11-13-2006, 06:28 PM

Hey guys, I've always tuned to E and played 9's and loved the tone/feel from that setup.

Recently, I've been wanting to try out tuning to C.

I bought 10's and tried to tune my Washburn KC-70V to C, and it still feels quite rubber-bandy and thin sounding.

What string guage do you guys typically use for having fun down in C tuning?

Remember, I play 9's otherwise, so something that would compare to that as far as string tension.

Gracias in advance.

pawel · #2 11-13-2006, 06:52 PM

My fretless guitar has .13 flatwounds tuned to C and the tension is ideal, but that probably won't help you much...

560licious · #3 11-20-2006, 05:27 PM

Yeah, I used 9's for years and in just the last few years I switched to 10's. I love them. For the band I'm in, we tune in E. try the 10's there for A LOT better tone. As for tuning down to C, I have no problem with that. I use older RG's and just have to adjust the bridge a little between C and E. They do feel really bendy. It's something to get used to I guess. Maybe attempt to try 11's. I haven't yet, but that should clear up that spongy feeling of the 10's a little.

ibanezdiehard · #4 11-20-2006, 07:13 PM

i use 10-52 for c but thats on a trem guitar.

if i used hard tails i would probably go 11-54

S-man · #5 11-20-2006, 09:23 PM

^ yeah

+!

I use 10-52's on my 97 S540FMTP in drop C and I'm very happy. It plays like my 9-42 equipped S. The tension and playibility is close. I've tried Many gauges. THe 10-52's seem the best...to me. YMMV.

ibanezdiehard · #6 11-20-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-man

^ yeah

+!

I use 10-52's on my 97 S540FMTP in drop C and I'm very happy. It plays like my 9-42 equipped S. The tension and playibility is close. I've tried Many gauges. THe 10-52's seem the best...to me. YMMV.

It's funny that we both find them very comfortable on trem guitars.

alot of peoples opinions are that the top light and bottom heavy strings are too uneven for a floyd. i don't find that the case at all

crevis · #7 11-20-2006, 09:35 PM

I have 9s in standard and 10s in D standard. I found this is the closest you can get in tension but theres still a fair bit of difference, the 10s in D are stiffer, to the point i have to pick and generally play differently. I think its that the other strings go up more, as in the difference in the E (.009 / .010) is less than the difference in the B (.011 / .013) etc.

GlassCasket · #8 11-20-2006, 10:43 PM

i got 11-49s tuned to B on a S540 still floating too, you shuold be fine with them or 10s

toshiro · #9 11-21-2006, 02:00 AM

I use 11-56 in C#, I would go up to something like 12-60 in C.

ibanezdiehard · #10 11-21-2006, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toshiro

I use 11-56 in C#, I would go up to something like 12-60 in C.

you would get on well with my guitarist.

he uses 12-56 for a floyd equiped guitar in C, i hate playing his guitars!

fettouhi · #11 11-21-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gex

Hey guys, I've always tuned to E and played 9's and loved the tone/feel from that setup.

Recently, I've been wanting to try out tuning to C.

I bought 10's and tried to tune my Washburn KC-70V to C, and it still feels quite rubber-bandy and thin sounding.

What string guage do you guys typically use for having fun down in C tuning?

Remember, I play 9's otherwise, so something that would compare to that as far as string tension.

Gracias in advance.

If 10s are to loose go to 11

.

Regards

André

S-man · #12 11-21-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toshiro

I use 11-56 in C#, I would go up to something like 12-60 in C.

56 felt crazy thick to me. I felt like I was abusing the poor little wizard I neck.

I will never put anything that thick on my S series guitars again unless it's a 7 string.

And it felt NOTHING like the guitar did with more conservative string gauges.

But, if it works for you....that's all that matters.

toshiro · #13 11-21-2006, 11:25 AM

Eh, I usually use a 52 in D and a 46 in E, it just sorta feels the same to me.

I don't care for tuning below C# on a regular scale instrument anyway.

The 7 string I have is 26.5" scale, and I use a 60 in Bb.

LonePhantom · #14 11-21-2006, 04:54 PM

Jeez I play 10-52s in standard tuning on my Floyd equipped axes, I think the tension and tone is excellent.

S-man · #15 11-21-2006, 06:04 PM

I play 10-46 at standard on another S I have. I like it. The 56 was just over the top for me. It didn't seem like the same guitar. Additionally, I have to wonder about the nut with such large strings. I had to raise the string tree considerably and the guitar just didn't seem happy. Beyond that, I had to crank the trem claw to the max and use an arrow pattern to get it to work. I don't block my trems and I'm not willing to install a 4th spring.

I have...

(1) 2006 S2170 9-42 at standard and occasionally drop D.

(1) 1997 S540FMTP 10-46 at standard.

and

(1) 1990 S540LTD 10-52 at Drop C.

Ive tried gauges 10-56 to 9-42 on them. I like the setup above the best. I can switch between guitars and still feel comfortable. Do they each feel differant? Of course.

Just my 2 pennies.

I tried the 10-56 combo after talking to torisho a few months ago. No offence, But I hated that setup. I tried to like it and kept it for bit. It just didn't work for me. Though, I must say I've seen torisho offer alot of GOOD information about things in the past/present so don't take it personally dude. (not that you would)

I may switch to 10-46 on the S2170 to accommodate drop D tuning better.
I'm not sure if I want to sacrafice the way that guitar plays. I like it the way it is in E standard. I'm sure I'll throw some 10-46's on it at some point.

One last thing, If your used to playing in E standard with 9-42's then your probably not going to like anything above 52 on the low E. Go find out for yourself. I did.