Drop C tuning with a floyd rose...

buckethead · #1 03-25-2008, 03:00 PM

I really want to tune my guitar to C G C F A D... but I have a floyd rose... I'm planning on buying a tremol-no with the deep C and always leave it fixed to make thing easier but I really don't know what string gauges I should use. I was thinking of a 11-15-22p-30(or 32?)-44-56 set but I'm not sure if it's balanced enough or if I will be able to keep it in tune.

Any help would be appreciated.

Stygian · #2 03-25-2008, 03:41 PM

A pack of Ernie Ball "Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom" strings (10-52) gets my RG to "feel" proper when I tune it to C# standard. The tension feels about "right", in that tuning, as though I'm using either 09s or 10s and tuned to E standard. Doesn't totally answer your questions, but take that for what it's worth.

CalledToArms · #3 03-25-2008, 03:43 PM

I use S series with C Standard tuning (C F A# D# G C), so a step lower than you except for my 6th string, and I have no problems staying in tune.

I use:

12 16 21 32 44 56 (sometimes 60 on the bottom). its basically an ernie ball not even slinky set with the 24 dropped to a 21. Id recommend at least the 56 on the 6 string. Everything else you seem pretty close although if you like your bends you might want to back down just barely on your 3-4-5s to below what I have. your call though

buckethead · #4 03-25-2008, 03:51 PM

Thanks for the help. The only thing that bothers me really is that drop tuning isn't the best thing to do with a floyd rose... I just don't want to keep the deep C on so I can still do dive-bombs only but that it makes it go out of tune.

I'm probably going to ask a guitar tech for more information.

**jaxadam** · #5 03-25-2008, 03:53 PM

I use D'Addario 11's on my drop C guitars, and it works good for me.

CalledToArms · #6 03-25-2008, 04:39 PM

im not quite sure what you mean. I abuse the heck out of the whammy bar on a few of our songs and my guitar stays in tune VERY well in a lower tuning than you. but maybe i read your post wrong.

losgatosrg350dx · #7 03-25-2008, 05:14 PM

lets keep in mind that there are different kinds of fr bridges out there, and not all perform the same

i had this problme on my origional floyd rose i got on my 727 setup from carvin in c hen i first got it

it would stay in tune sometimes lets say....

but i ended up playing in e mostly now, but on my warmoth im a full 1/2 step down in d
but i used a fixed

id say its your strings, i love the dean markley strings for low tunings they have more strech and retension than most
but everyone to thier own..right...

buckethead · #8 03-26-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalledToArms

im not quite sure what you mean. I abuse the heck out of the whammy bar on a few of our songs and my guitar stays in tune VERY well in a lower tuning than you. but maybe i read your post wrong.

It's because it's in drop tuning. Having your first string lower than the others is hard for the trem to stay balanced, especially with a jackson licensed FR like mine. And that being said, I would not tune a non-baritone guitar any lower than C.

As for the string gauge I'll probably go with a 56-42-30-22p-15-11 but I'm not sure about the 6th string. I'd like something a little more stiff like a 58 for a crunchier sound but I think it might be too unbalanced. Anyone?

Algiman · #9 03-26-2008, 06:39 PM

As long as you use sensible gauges of strings, the tuning should make next to no difference to trem stability. Just ensure that the string tensions is similar to regular sets in normal tuning.

Wild_Child · #10 03-26-2008, 06:44 PM

Wait a minute... have you ever actually tried using the floyd rose in this tuning?

You seem to be trying to remedy a problem that might not even happen. Besides, I've never heard of that happening before.

Maybe you should just give it a go with your current gauge and see if it stays in tune any worse than in a standard tuning. For the record, I tune to D standard (same as drop C with the 6th string a step higher) and use .010-.46.

Considering CalledToArms uses that same tuning, I think his advice might be the way to go. I really don't think you'll be having any problems with trem stability, and if you are then I don't think it's likely string gauge is to blame.

losgatosrg350dx · #11 03-26-2008, 06:50 PM

or get a whole new set of srpings
id say instead of 3 use 5, and just tighen the claw less....this way you have less tension on each spring so in lower tunings it is WAY more stable than tensioning 3 springs tad higher than tensioning 5 springs tad lower

buckethead · #12 03-26-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algiman

As long as you use sensible gauges of strings, the tuning should make next to no difference to trem stability. Just ensure that the string tensions is similar to regular sets in normal tuning.

That's the problem, I don't use anything like a regular set because I don't like flabby strings. That's why I use a heavy bottom and a thinner top for solos. 58-42-30-22p-15-11 is a wierd set I believe.

And CalledToArms does not use the same tuning... he's in C standard (I'm using this tuning right now and it's able to stay in tune most of the time... most of it). Maybe getting 5 springs would solve the problem, but I'm really not sure. It's very important for me to get a big gauge for the 6th,5th and 4th strings with a flexible top. That's why I have to get an unbalanced set.

Anyway, to answer wild child's question, no I haven't used this tuning before so I can't be sure of what I am saying. Maybe you guys are right.

The real problem for me was the tremol-no. If you guys say that I can stay in tune anyway, then I won't pay over 60 bucks to get one.

Thanks for the advices.

Algiman · #13 03-26-2008, 08:19 PM

OK, I'll rephrase it:

If, in standard tuning, you use a typical set of 10s, the low E will have about 17.5 lb of tension. When you down tune to a C, chose a string gauge that, when tuned to C, gives you about 17.5 lb of tension and you will not experience any major difficulties.

Do a search for tension charts any you'll find various ways of calculating which gauge of string to use for various tensions for various tunings. It isn't difficult. Look up the tensions that you like for your current tuning, and match that across to the new tuning.

Clearer?

Your trem doesn't give a rats what note each string is at, just what the total tension is.

shrediqette · #14 04-10-2008, 10:11 PM

I've been playing with string gauge/tension myself. I'm currently setup in C standard with d'addrio 11's and the fell is pretty good. Although in comparison the my other guitar that is setup with what i htink are 9's (i just bought it so i htink they're 9's) in E standard, the feel is much tighter. I would say go with 11's at least or even 12's for drop C.

what you might want to try is 12's in the top 3 strings (12, 16, 20...)and then the equivalent for a pack on 11's in the bottom 3 to keep that bending flex available.

markyperfection · #15 04-11-2008, 01:58 AM

One of my bands switches between D and Drop C tunings. Here are the gauges of strings that I use for Drop C; they feel great for me, so maybe it's worth a look. I like my guitar to feel as though it's set up with 9's in standard tuning, but with a better balance in tension from string to string. The low strings end up tighter as a result.

from low to high:
.059 .038 .028 .018 .014 .10