Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Strings For Drop & Low Tunings
Posted by: zen May 30 2011, 04:11 AM
It's time to buy some string sets for my guitars.
I plan to tune my schecter and ESP Eclipse to D standard and/or Drop C.
Which strings do you recommend ? (Brand & gauge)
I currently use Elixir.
Which strings are your favourites when it comes to low tunings?
Posted by: Sollesnes May 30 2011, 08:56 AM
I loved my 11-54 in drop C 
Your ESP is 24.75", so you might want to try thicker strings than most people put on their 25.5"s
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 30 2011, 09:10 AM
Hey man,
I also use 11-54 for the drop C tuning - they work very well for me. I also use Elixir, but since they don't make any 11-54 set, I always buy separate strings.
For the drop A (on the baritone guitar) I use 13-70 - i never play any solos on that one though 
Posted by: TylerT May 30 2011, 10:49 AM
Hey zen. I use skinny top heavy bottoms by ernie ball for my guitars in Drop C.
Its a hybrid set, so the top strings are very close to 10 guage (good for soloing), and the closer you get to your C string the strings thicken to that of a 11 guage set.
Regular light (10-46) .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046
Medium (11-52) .011 .013 .020 .030 .042 .052
Light Top / Heavy Bottom (10-52) .010 .013 .017 .032 .042 .052
Best of both worlds !
Posted by: zen May 30 2011, 11:03 AM
Your ESP is 24.75", so you might want to try thicker strings than most people put on their 25.5"s
Wooo, never played with that gauge, will be fun .. thanks
I also use 11-54 for the drop C tuning - they work very well for me. I also use Elixir, but since they don't make any 11-54 set, I always buy separate strings.
For the drop A (on the baritone guitar) I use 13-70 - i never play any solos on that one though
awesome, I'll try that gauge
ThanksElixir's are really turning out to be expensive. I love them but the expenses add up with time.
Its a hybrid set, so the top strings are very close to 10 guage (good for soloing), and the closer you get to your C string the strings thicken to that of a 11 guage set.
Regular light (10-46) .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046
Medium (11-52) .011 .013 .020 .030 .042 .052
Light Top / Heavy Bottom (10-52) .010 .013 .017 .032 .042 .052
Best of both worlds
!Thanks Tyler, I'm gonna get 3 sets of that gauge.
Never used ernieballs. So thanks for the recommendation. Will try it this time.
Anything cheaper than elixir's good for now. I used to be a D'addario fan before moving to ELixir's.
Posted by: TylerT May 30 2011, 11:06 AM
Good choice!! Ive played lots of different brand and I like ernie balls the best, even though they're inexpensive.
Hope you like them dude
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 30 2011, 11:46 AM
awesome, I'll try that gauge
ThanksElixir's are really turning out to be expensive. I love them but the expenses add up with time.
Thanks Tyler, I'm gonna get 3 sets of that gauge.
Never used ernieballs. So thanks for the recommendation. Will try it this time.
Anything cheaper than elixir's good for now. I used to be a D'addario fan before moving to ELixir's.
Hey man, try thinking on the long run
If you use a set of Elixir strings, it'll probably last about 2 months of heavy abuse, maybe even more.
A set of "other brand" strings will wear off in about a week of heavy playing - if you are very conscious regarding your sound you will want to change the strings so your guitar will sound good and stay in tune.
The conclusion is:
- a set of Elixir strings lasts a lot more than about 3 sets of normal strings (from what I've experimented)
- you actually pay less
PS: I am not endorsing Elixir
) i just love them
Posted by: zen May 30 2011, 11:54 AM
If you use a set of Elixir strings, it'll probably last about 2 months of heavy abuse, maybe even more.
A set of "other brand" strings will wear off in about a week of heavy playing - if you are very conscious regarding your sound you will want to change the strings so your guitar will sound good and stay in tune.
The conclusion is:
- a set of Elixir strings lasts a lot more than about 3 sets of normal strings (from what I've experimented)
- you actually pay less
PS: I am not endorsing Elixir
) i just love themIt does last long, I noticed that too. Interesting point.. Now you've influenced me coz I love Elixir's too.
I always use it in my main guitar and will always stick to it on that guitar. So I need to get them too.
The frustrating thing is when one or 2 strings of an elixir's set breaks. Although that is verrrrry rare.
Do you change the entire set or buy some additional single b & e strings?
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 30 2011, 12:06 PM
I always use it in my main guitar and will always stick to it on that guitar. So I need to get them too.
The frustrating thing is when one or 2 strings of an elixir's set breaks. Although that is verrrrry rare.
Do you change the entire set or buy some additional single b & e strings?
Since my sets are not bought as sets, i always have spares
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 30 2011, 07:49 PM
I don't like Elixir, couple of strings broke on me, they came out expensive, and they have a bit dull sound.
They do last longer, however with constant gigging, it's normal to swap strings every week, so I guess 2 months of any kind of string would be a gamble.
This is why I use Daddario 11-52, although on drop C they can sound a bit floppy
Posted by: rokchik May 30 2011, 09:54 PM
I've only ever used .10's but I don't drop tune a lot except to dropped D.
This may be a silly question but If you change the gauge of string would you have to adjust anything IE: action, intonation?
rok
Posted by: TylerT May 30 2011, 10:53 PM
This may be a silly question but If you change the gauge of string would you have to adjust anything IE: action, intonation?
rok
For me yes! Every time I switch strings (even without changing gauge) I re-adjust my truss rod.
If your changing gauges then you should definitely re-adjust it, as it will throw your neck off otherwise.
A good rule of thumb is to add 1 to your guage for each half step you tune down
eg. E = 9 gauge
Eb = 10 gauge
D = 11 and so on!
Posted by: zen May 31 2011, 02:06 AM
They do last longer, however with constant gigging, it's normal to swap strings every week, so I guess 2 months of any kind of string would be a gamble.
This is why I use Daddario 11-52, although on drop C they can sound a bit floppy
Thanks Ivan, I've used D'addario a lot in the past when I used to play mostly with 9's.
This may be a silly question but If you change the gauge of string would you have to adjust anything IE: action, intonation?
rok
I believe you have to ... and I hate doing it as I'm not so good at setting up my axe.
I'd rather spend time practising.
Posted by: Mudbone May 31 2011, 04:38 AM
They do last longer, however with constant gigging, it's normal to swap strings every week, so I guess 2 months of any kind of string would be a gamble.
This is why I use Daddario 11-52, although on drop C they can sound a bit floppy
Great point Ivan. I've tried Elixirs as well, and just didn't think they were bright enough for my tastes. I like D'Addarios because of their brightness and Dunlops because they sound very even and balanced. But hey, different strokes for different folks.
Dunlop now makes heavy core strings specifically for drop tuning. So I'm under the assumption that using the heavy core strings means you don't have to go up much in string gauge when you tune down.
Posted by: zen May 31 2011, 06:39 AM
Just bought these:
1 X Elixir Electric Guitar Strings LIGHT-HEAVY 10-52
2 x Ernie Ball Electric Guitar String Beefy Slinky 11-54
Gonna get ernie balls heavy bottoms in the next purchase...hmm. Heavy bottoms
Posted by: Gitarrero May 31 2011, 04:24 PM
Got the Ernie Ball 54s as well, great choice
Posted by: Chris Evans May 31 2011, 06:03 PM
I usually tune to E standard and use a light gauge of strings, normally Ernie Balls super slinky 9 gauge, but for the band we drop to D standard tuning, the super slinky`s are way too floppy, I was reluctant to change to a different set due to having a FR guitar and having to mess around with the truss rod and trem tension ... but! I found by using the Ernie Ball Hybrid set I didnt have to change a thing! 
The top three strings are the same as a regular set of 9 gauge and the bottom three are the same as you`d find in a set of regualr 10 gauge strings, this works nicely for me in this tuning with the added bonus of not having to mess with any tension settings
Posted by: thefireball May 31 2011, 06:52 PM
What brand do you use? And will they work on my Jackson SLSMG, even though it's not a baritone guitar?
Posted by: thefireball May 31 2011, 07:54 PM
Speaking of dropped tunings, listen to this crazy riffing! Gotta love it.
Posted by: rokchik May 31 2011, 10:19 PM
If your changing gauges then you should definitely re-adjust it, as it will throw your neck off otherwise.
A good rule of thumb is to add 1 to your guage for each half step you tune down
eg. E = 9 gauge
Eb = 10 gauge
D = 11 and so on!
Thanks for the reply Tyler. Good suggestion on the string gauge and tuning down
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)