[screamndemon69]

I use Slinky Light Top Heavy Bottoms for Drop C tuning but also tune the guitar (SZ4020 - 25" scale - fixed bridge) back to standard E.

Any recommendations for something that would work best for both tunings in one set?

 

[Dee]

Bones, I forgot to check this thread, hence the late reply.

With drop C are you only detuning the E to C?

 

[screamndemon69]

It's cool - no hurry. I would have PM'd you if I was in a hurry


I actually drop tune the low E, A and D strings (the only ones used in the song) to drop C. I leave the other strings in standard so I can easily tune back up if I need to use that guitar for other material with double bends and other stuff that doesn't work so well with a full floating guitars. I use the guitar for Drop D tunings as well.

E>C
A>G
D>C
G
B
E

Due to the odd nature of how I tune that guitar (SZ4020) is why I went with the EB Heavy Bottom and Skinny Tops. If you can think of a better alternative, I'm all ears.

I usually take two RG's with floating trems and my SZ4020 to gigs to have my basses covered. Very shortly I will have a new RGT42fxqm in hands (this week) and I'll swap between it and my SZ4020 until I figure out how to add a piezo setup in the RGT, then it will come with to all gigs. I'll hae to look into a piezo bridge for the SZ

 

[southpaw_lefty]

Great thread Dee.

I've using D'addario 10-52 (XL140) as well on my RGA, but I'm using this version of drop-C:

C - 2 steps down (6th string)
G - 1 step down
C - 1 step down
F - 1 step down
A - 1 step down
D - 1 step down

The 6th string doesn't have anywhere near enough tension in this tuning, so I'll probably switch to something heavier.

 

[markyperfection]

awesome thread, and something that i've been experimenting with for years. except for one or two guitars, i haven't used a standard pack of strings in a LONG time. the set i'm currently using (in standard tuning down a major third, C F Bb Eb G C as well as standard tuning down a whole step, D G C F A D) goes a little something like this: .010 - .014 - .020 - .030 - .042 - .056

for standard tuning AKA guitars i play at home, i use d'addario 9's as it's just wiffle ball and i don't really need to get so particular about things like that for sitting on my bed playing racer x songs through a fender frontman 25r. also, it tends to be my JS and i hear Joe hisself uses those same strings. haha

 

[Dee]

It's cool - no hurry. I would have PM'd you if I was in a hurry

I actually drop tune the low E, A and D strings (the only ones used in the song) to drop C. I leave the other strings in standard so I can easily tune back up if I need to use that guitar for other material with double bends and other stuff that doesn't work so well with a full floating guitars. I use the guitar for Drop D tunings as well.

E>C
A>G
D>C
G
B
E

Due to the odd nature of how I tune that guitar (SZ4020) is why I went with the EB Heavy Bottom and Skinny Tops. If you can think of a better alternative, I'm all ears.

I usually take two RG's with floating trems and my SZ4020 to gigs to have my basses covered. Very shortly I will have a new RGT42fxqm in hands (this week) and I'll swap between it and my SZ4020 until I figure out how to add a piezo setup in the RGT, then it will come with to all gigs. I'll hae to look into a piezo bridge for the SZ

OK, this is a tricky one because it's not staying in one tuning. Obviously, we need to find a happy medium between standard tuning tension and drop C.

*Bear in mind, these measurements are based on D'Addario nickel wound string tension, but I doubt Ernie Ball strings differ greatly.

Gauge: Ernie Ball "Skinny Top Heavy Bottom" set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .010" [PL] = 16.21 pounds
B: .013" [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017" [PL] = 16.57 pounds
D: .030" [NW] = 25.04 pounds
A: .042" [NW] = 26.31 pounds
E: .052" [NW] = 22.01 pounds

Total Tension = 121.53 pounds

When tuned to standard there's a huge amount of difference in tension between the plain and wound strings. Almost 9 pounds difference between the D and G alone! This was pretty much expected, though. As usual, the high E is tighter than the B. How about switching that string for a D'Addario .009.5"? Should make bends easier and balance with the other strings a little better.

Gauge: Ernie Ball "Skinny Top Heavy Bottom" set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: CGCGBE (Bones' Drop C)

E: .010" [PL] = 16.21 pounds
B: .013" [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017" [PL] = 16.57 pounds
C: .030" [NW] = 19.87 pounds
G: .042" [NW] = 20.89 pounds
C: .052" [NW] = 13.87 pounds

Total Tension = 102.79 pounds

And this is your Ernie Ball set drop tuned. The main problem is the extremely low tension of the .052", especially compared to the next string up, there's a difference of 7 pounds. It's safe to suggest it would benefit from being beefed up a bit. I would probably go as far as a .059" here, which may sound kinda extreme, but really it isn't. I use a .059" on my 7-string which is tuned to B, and it's certainly not too tight. If anything, I would like to try a .60".

Suggestions for a custom set...

Gauge: D'Addario Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .0095" [PL] = 14.63 pounds
B: .013"  [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017"  [PL] = 16.57 pounds
D: .028"  [NW] = 21.30 pounds
A: .039"  [NW] = 22.77 pounds
E: .059"  [NW] = 29.37 pounds

Total Tension = 120.03 pounds

While there's a big difference between the two thickest strings, I think this will feel better than your usual set. You could try a .058" so there's less of a jump, but it won't work quite as well when drop tuned (see below). On the other hand, .058" or .059" will be far better in terms of tone and feel than the .052" from the original set.

Gauge: D'Addario Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Bones' Drop C

E: .0095" [PL] = 14.63 pounds
B: .013"  [PL] = 15.38 pounds
G: .017"  [PL] = 16.57 pounds
C: .028"  [NW] = 16.91 pounds
G: .039"  [NW] = 18.07 pounds
C: .059"  [NW] = 18.50 pounds

Total Tension = 100.07 pounds

I quite like how this one looks on paper. .039" can be bought from D'Addario, btw. I like the fact they offer "odd" sizes. Lowest I'd go on the thickest string is a 0.58". While a custom set like this can never be perfect because of the changes in tuning, I would imagine it feels better than the set you're currently using. I'd be interested to know how it goes if you try it.

 

[Scali]

I haven't tried those. Here's the stats for them:

Gauge: D'Addario EXL120+ Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .0095" [PL] = 14.63 pounds
B: .0115" [PL] = 12.04 pounds
G: .016"  [PL] = 14.68 pounds
D: .024"  [NW] = 15.77 pounds
A: .034"  [NW] = 17.60 pounds
E: .044"  [NW] = 16.10 pounds

Total Tension = 90.82 pounds

Looks like the high E is too heavy (bends will be harder). It's almost the same as the G.

The low E is too light.

With this set, I'd choose a .009" and a .046", and ditch the two E's that came with it.

I use that set on my Les Paul (24.75" scale).
It makes the feel pretty much identical to my 25.5" guitars with standard .009-.042, making the Les Paul shred like a maniac while still beating the **** out of all the other guitars tonewise and sustainwise.
Then again I'm going back to .010-.046 on my Les Paul. I don't mind working a bit extra on the Les Paul, and getting even MORE tone in return

 

[Dee]

Yeah, the difference in scale length has a pretty noticeable effect. I also prefer slightly heavier strings on a 24.75" scale length. The .009.5" is perfect for the high E, I think. A .010" is just a touch too heavy for me. With a 10-46 set I'd want to replace the high and low E's with a .009.5" and a .049".

 

[screamndemon69]

I will surely try out the custom set you are suggesting and let you know how it works out. I play that guitar in my Drop C more than standard but truthfully, the guitar has to be ready to perform double duty as a backup in standard tuning and if we pull out any Drop D tunes.

BIG thanks Dee, you are Da MAN!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[Lefty Robb]

Wow, totally cool and super informative thread, someone make this a sticky!! My only question is isn't the YJM set made more for Eb?

 

[Dee]

Oh yeah, the Yng tunes down doesn't he? I can't imagine using a .008 tuned down to Eb. I do like Yngwie's tone, though.

 

[Lefty Robb]

Oh yeah, the Yng tunes down doesn't he? I can't imagine using a .008 tuned down to Eb. I do like Yngwie's tone, though.

Yeah, he's always in Eb..Yeah, 008 @Eb is mind boggling on that short a scale. Funny thing is too his sig strat comes tuned standard with 009-42.

 

[screamndemon69]

Gauge: 9.5-49 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .049"   [NW] = 19.68 pounds

Gauge: 10-49 Custom Set
Scale: 25.5"
Tuning: Standard

E: .049" [NW] = 20.46 pounds

Why are the .049's showing different tension?

I am going to leave the 10 (thicker string = more tone ) in the set and add the low .049 on the new RGT42fx that just landed in my arsenal. I'll let you know how it fairs as well as the new set you recommended for my odd C tuning

Thanks for all the insight!!

~Bones

 

[Dee]

Why are the .049's showing different tension?

Well spotted. Correct tension is 19.68 pounds for a .049". Mistake rectified!

 

[screamndemon69]

Well spotted. Correct tension is 19.68 pounds for a .049". Mistake rectified!

Cool8). I thought I missed something and had to put away the hookah just to see if it was me (usually is) or if it was just a small oversight. Thanks man. :mrgreen:

~Bones

 

[Dee]

No worries. You can get the hookah back out the cupboard. Pass it over here when you're done.

 

[screamndemon69]

No worries. You can get the hookah back out the cupboard. Pass it over here when you're done.

Thanks!*cough cough* mmkay...(holds out hookah) ear, ear ya go. :mrgreen:

Of course I'm jk, I'm teaching today and not spending the morning being stupid, that's what the weekends are for, is it the weekend yet?

~Bones

 

[Dee]

Nearly there Cheech, uh, I mean Bones... Just hold out for another day if you can.

 

[screamndemon69]

Cheech:lol:8)

I tried to grab a .049 yesterday for my RGT42fx but alas, they didn't have any

I'll have to put togther a list of singles I need and just custom order 10 packs or each needed gauge rather than wait for them to get their own stock in.

I've been using the Custom 9's with the 12 for the B and the 44 for the low E on my Puzzle Top with very nice results. It's been a few months since I set it up for that set, unfortunately it would to expensive to set up ALL my tremolo axes with that custom set since I have been buying my D'addario 9-42's in 25 set bulk boxes. The price has gone up twice on those bulk boxes over the past two years, so I might need to find a new alternative for buying string in the near future. I was paying $65 for the bulk box (again, 25 sets) and now it is $99 per box 8O . Grrr....


The question I've developed is what in the world am I going to do with all these extra strings from sets now? I end up with a bunch of 11's and 42's left over from stringing up the Puzzle Top month after month. Since I buy the bulk box sets they aren't individually packaged so my local store couldn't resale them. Hmmm......

 

[Dee]

Let's set up a string trading club!

Ugh. I dunno. It's annoying. I just wish D'Addario or someone (DR, preferably) would have the balls to break tradition by catering for people like me who need sensibly thought out string sets. It costs me twice as much to put together custom sets, but it's gotta be done otherwise my guitar just doesn't feel right. I've gotten used to the custom sets now. 9-42 just doesn't feel proper.

$65 - $99 in two years you say? Wow.