string gauge and tuning

[Axayacatl]

I have a question about string gauges and tunning.

I play an sg gothic with .11-.52s tuned to standard.
The scale of the guitar is like a les paul (shorter than the RG).

I really like the way the strings feel in E. My question is:

1. are .11-.52s going to feel much more tense if they were placed on an RG?

2. also, is it true that ibanez necks are not made for thicker strings tuned to standard?

3. What gauges do people who tune to D (a whole step down) use?

I'm thinking of getting an RG2610 and I am curious about how stiff the strings will feel. I don't want something where I can't shred, but also I like the feel of thicker strings.

thanks for your help

axayacatl

[Roland]

1. MUCH more? No.
2. No.
3. I use 10-46 with a 52 for the low D.

[Axayacatl]

Thank for the reply Roland.
To be clear: do you get a 10-46 set and then replace the 46 with a 52 for the 6th string?
Are the strings too floppy? I know its subjective, but just to get an idea.

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Axayacatl

Thank for the reply Roland.
To be clear: do you get a 10-46 set and then replace the 46 with a 52 for the 6th string?
Are the strings too floppy? I know its subjective, but just to get an idea.

Not at all. I played 10s tuned to E (or B, actually. I'm a 7-stringer)-standard. I just tuned it down one step to play along a few tracks once, and discovered that all strings but the low E and B (or D and A as they would become) were a little too loose. Upped the gauge on 46 to 52, and bought a separate 68. If you want tension to be a little more even the low side, buy a 48 instead of the 52. Trust me, the difference may be minute in gauge, but it's a leap in feel.
But to summarize: I played 10s, then realised I liked less tension. 10s down one step equals roughly to a set of 9s tuned to standard.

[Axayacatl]

Thanks for your help Roland

[Nesi]

On pretty much the same topic.

I play on D and I use 0.11, the last dude who installed my TZ and set it up for 0.11 didn't think of taking out the spring-lock and putting a fourth spring.
Now, I'm not heavy on the term, should I add a fourth spring, or will my leaving it with three is going to shorten something's life span?

[Axayacatl]

Nesi,
shorten the lifespan of what?
The optimal number of springs should be based on the balance of your bridge. (I think). In general, thicker gauges should be compensated by more springs. If you tune down, then maybe having only 3 is ok.
IN this case a dding a fourth spring may lower your bridge too much.
(am I right? somebody correct me on this).

[soothsayer]

I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY! WHOOPIE!!

[Nesi]

Originally Posted by Axayacatl

Nesi,
shorten the lifespan of what?
The optimal number of springs should be based on the balance of your bridge. (I think). In general, thicker gauges should be compensated by more springs. If you tune down, then maybe having only 3 is ok.
IN this case a dding a fourth spring may lower your bridge too much.
(am I right? somebody correct me on this).

Lifespan of strings themselves, springs, my fingers.. I don't know. That's why I'm asking

Now, I know the number of springs is based on the balance of the bridge compared to the tension from the strings themselves. That's why I've mentioned that I tune down to D, because I know that 0.11 requires four springs in general.

And yes, that's another main reason I've asked to get someone who knows he's right *cough*Richforexample*cough* give me a correct answer.

[satchbooger]

I use 11s on my JEM tuned to Eb with 4 springs and the claw screwed
almost all the way in

Then i have a JS1000 with 10s and three springs with the claw screwed
most of the way in.... this one tuned to natural E

The JEM has a slight bit more tension than the JS, Dropping down to D
on the JEM would probably be pretty close to the way the JS feels as far
as string tension

[brothersnowgone]

Originally Posted by Axayacatl

2. also, is it true that ibanez necks are not made for thicker strings tuned to standard?

So far from the truth. A few years ago I used to play Zakk Wylde's custom 11-70 in D tuning and that's a lot of tension. Now I'm a lot more "light" with my fretting so my gauges have changed...

[Nesi]

Originally Posted by satchbooger

I use 11s on my JEM tuned to Eb with 4 springs and the claw screwed
almost all the way in

Then i have a JS1000 with 10s and three springs with the claw screwed
most of the way in.... this one tuned to natural E

The JEM has a slight bit more tension than the JS, Dropping down to D
on the JEM would probably be pretty close to the way the JS feels as far
as string tension

So... should I add a fourth spring or not?

[satchbooger]

As long as your bridge is at the proper angle I don't see a problem
with the way it is now. The fact that you aren't hard on the trem,
I don't think you need to worry about the lifespan of the springs.

I am wondering tho, how stiff your trem feels.

My JEM is pretty stiff and i don't use the trem much either cause
I break a lot of bars on it.