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Posted by: liveOASISforever Jan 27 2013, 01:51 PM

Hi everyone I really want learn BFMV song a place where you belong. The tuning is drop c. I have never done this before and am looking for advice for what string gauge to use and how to setup my guitar with this tuning. Any links to videos or general tips will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance Sean

Posted by: Jouve Jan 27 2013, 02:10 PM

When i bought my ltd it was tuned in drop c and the sting gauge was 12-56.It was optimal.
It's a good idea to check your guitar's intonation,and the bridge string action. But i'm not a pro in it so hope somebody will help you out!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 27 2013, 02:11 PM

Hello Sean! It is a pleasure to discuss this with you

Please tell me what sort of a guitar are you using? I have a PRS Paul Allender which I keep downtuned to drop C, having string gauges such as 11-56, built out of custom Elixir strings - that means I bought them separately, not in a set.

What have you used so far?

Cosmin

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jan 27 2013, 02:32 PM

Hi Cosmin

The guitar I am using is called a Chapman ml2, not a very well known guitar make its a fairly new brand. Can easily be seen on YouTube. The string gauge is 9-42s.

I would love to be able to take it to a guitar shop to get it set up but there is none where I stay. So I am going to have to try and set it up myself

Thanks Sean

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 27 2013, 03:02 PM

Hey Sean - I have never set up the neck for heavier string gauge, as this sort of thing is taken care of by a technician with which I am working.

I think you can start here

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jan 27 2013, 03:15 PM

Thanks Cosmin

Posted by: thefireball Jan 27 2013, 03:58 PM

Try the Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom 10-52. I am tuned to Drop C also on my Ibanez RG. I was using the 9-46 gauge and it was fine, just a little floppy. So I am moving up since I decided to stick with Drop C for now.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 27 2013, 05:04 PM

My pleasure mate, let me know how it's going ok? And of course, if you got other stuff on your mind regarding dropped tuning, let me know as well

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jan 27 2013, 05:41 PM

Hi

Am going order a set and try them out.

Thanks Sean

Posted by: osiris Jan 27 2013, 07:43 PM

I love those! But i use them for standard E and drop D . I pick pretty hard, I like a thick low E for tight gallops or pedal riffs.

Posted by: ConnorGilks Jan 27 2013, 10:11 PM

I have 10-60 on mine, a hybrid set of sorts. I felt the higher strings were a bit too loose for me and the 60 was a bit much, so I've got a pack of 11-56 coming my way that I'm going to try. I think it's going to be perfect.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 28 2013, 09:06 AM

What tuning do you use with these strings?

Posted by: Ninjastorm Jan 28 2013, 12:32 PM

I got my first DropC guitar (Ibanez GRGA42T-BKN) last week. I'm using "Dunlop Heavy Core Heavier" with gauges 011 - 014 - 018 - 028 - 038 - 050. Heavy Core means that they have a thicker core. The low C string is a bit floppy but the sound is tight. But there are also other gauges available from the "Dunlop Heavy Core" - series.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 29 2013, 08:59 AM

indeed 050. is a bit loose for drop C - I'd try 052. 054. or 056. I build a custom set, so I can have them as I want them

Posted by: Ninjastorm Jan 29 2013, 12:25 PM

Thats my problem.
Due to the thicker core the low C String is not as floopy as normal strings with gauges 50.
So the Strings 011 - 014 - 018 - 028 - 038 sounds an feel perfect for me.
Do you think i shall try to take the low C-String from the "Dunlop Heavy Core Heaviest" set with gauges 012 - 016 - 020 - 032 - 042 - 054.
The result would be a custom set with Dunlop Heavy Core Strings: 011 - 014 - 018 - 028 - 038 - 054.
Or is the gap from 038 to 054 too big?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 29 2013, 02:10 PM

Hi guys!! This is a very interesting thread! I have no experience with thicker strings but I know that low tuned players use this type of hybrid gauges to have a good balance for solo and riffing.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 29 2013, 02:52 PM

Hmmm, looks like it is a bit too big - so far, I am finding the 12-52 set from Elixir as being way to rigid for soloing even in drop C or D standard... i think that an 11-56 set would be the winner or even an 11-54

Posted by: ConnorGilks Jan 29 2013, 11:58 PM

Drop C with this set. Standard I go lighter, and my 7 string is a weird hybrid set.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 30 2013, 08:19 AM

Never tried 060. in drop C - maybe due to the fact that I have only used Elixir strings and they don't have such a gauge. I should try some other brands making coated strings though, who knows, maybe I'll fall in love?

Posted by: ConnorGilks Jan 31 2013, 12:47 AM

I found 60 to be a bit much, especially because I couldn't get the action low enough to my liking without cutting the sustain a lot. The rest of the set was pretty much perfect regarding tension, thickness and action. I'll let you know how the 11-56 set goes. May be worth you switching brands if you can just buy a set instead of the hybrid you mentioned earlier. Dunno if it'll save you money though.

Posted by: Bossie Jan 31 2013, 01:35 AM

What about the nut of your guitar with this kind of big strings??

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 31 2013, 09:13 AM

You can shave it off a little or place a custom nut - I have bone nuts made for both my PRS guitars, so that heavy gauge strings may fit without any problem.

Connor, even though the Elixir strings are more expensive than other brands, in the long run they are actually cheaper, as you don't have to replace them as often as a normal un-coated set.

Posted by: Ninjastorm Jan 31 2013, 06:11 PM

Ok, than I'm going to try the "Dunlop Heavy Core Heaviest" set with gauges 012 - 016 - 020 - 032 - 042 - 054. If the strings 012 to 020 are too stiff than I'm going to replace it with 011 - 014 - 018 from the other set. I think the gap between 018 and 032 is ok, because I have seen this on other sets too.

Posted by: ConnorGilks Feb 1 2013, 03:00 AM

I used Elixirs for a long time and enjoyed them a lot! The only reason I switched is because my D'Addario's don't seem to lose brightness etc. like the Elixirs, but they also come in more options and I find that they feel the same from the time you first put them on to the time you replace them. There's not that weird first week or so where they are too slippery, which happens with most brands. Elixirs are fantastic though, I still use them on my acoustic!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 1 2013, 09:58 AM

Out of what I have noticed, other brands have also released coated strings, so I'd be curious to try them - those Ernie Ball Cobalt strings are nice, I heard..