Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: BloodMountain on February 06, 2007, 08:10:44 PM

Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 06, 2007, 08:10:44 PM
hi

which string gauge would be best for dropped C (CGCFAD)?

thanks, BM
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: noodleplugerine on February 06, 2007, 08:31:19 PM
12-54 or something close.

Had the exact same dilemma today.

Bought some Daddario's 12-52, was the thickest I could find in my local.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 06, 2007, 08:44:00 PM
yeah ok... thanks
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on February 06, 2007, 08:45:14 PM
Many guys get away with 10-52 for that
easier if your guitar is 25.5" scale - on a Gibson it may be a bit sloppy

For the drop C I would maybe use that and swap out the 52 for a 54 or 56
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: Transcend on February 06, 2007, 09:00:35 PM
i use daddario .10s heavy bottom
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 06, 2007, 09:40:50 PM
hmmm i see.... 10s would be easily too loose on the higher strings i think

how about 11s?
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: indysmith on February 06, 2007, 09:42:13 PM
i use 11s on all my guitars in standard tuning, with what i see as a perfect tension. If i were you i'd go much heavier!
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 06, 2007, 09:44:39 PM
ahhhhhh
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: HTH AMPS on February 06, 2007, 10:42:04 PM
Quote from: indysmith
i use 11s on all my guitars in standard tuning, with what i see as a perfect tension. If i were you i'd go much heavier!


same here, I've tried using 11s for lower tunings but there's not enough CHUNK for me.

gotta be at least 12s for lower tunings.  check out Dr Duck strings (on ebay), they have a set that goes upto 14 gauge with a plain 3rd (G) string.

 :twisted:
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: Crazy_Joe on February 06, 2007, 10:44:49 PM
I use 11's on my Explorer, and 10's on any kind of super strats.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: noodleplugerine on February 06, 2007, 10:45:12 PM
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=706

Those are nuts.

Great for Drop C or Ab, A#

Used them only once before though.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 07, 2007, 12:15:19 PM
which gauge do you use? they look the shite!!! plus Zakk uses them  :P

they are sure to give a heavy sound!!
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: Jazz Rock on February 07, 2007, 12:23:39 PM
I uses D'addario jazz 12-52 strings for drop Db on my LP and the feel is really good. I actually needed this so I can intonate properly the low Db string. So I guess this would be a minimum for your drop C.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 07, 2007, 12:32:35 PM
hmmmm my old man told me that my Razorback would only be able to resist the tension of 13s..... is this true?

also, noodleplugerina, can you tell me a little more about the Zakk Wylde stings..... what guage did you get them in, and how did they sound?

BM
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: noodleplugerine on February 07, 2007, 04:28:26 PM
Quote from: BLOODMOUNTAIN
hmmmm my old man told me that my Razorback would only be able to resist the tension of 13s..... is this true?

also, noodleplugerina, can you tell me a little more about the Zakk Wylde stings..... what guage did you get them in, and how did they sound?

BM


I had the 70s in an Epiphone SG... Didn't get it set up or anything, just tuned straight to C and they were fine.

Very meaty, but you have to get used to the fact that the first 3 are pretty standard, and that the bass strings are thick as hell - Huge contrast to other strings.

Heard of people snapping their nuts (God that sounds funny) with the 70s though, so don't be too gung-ho.

Overall they're ace strings, although the only downside isn't neccesarily a downside - they're nothing like the other stuff on the market, so don't expect your guitar to be perfectly intonated or anything with them.

Also - If you have a locking trem - Be warned, might need extra springs if you want to put these on.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: MDV on February 07, 2007, 04:38:45 PM
I use these for my drop C guitar

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=669
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 07, 2007, 05:18:34 PM
Quote from: noodleplugerine
Quote from: BLOODMOUNTAIN
hmmmm my old man told me that my Razorback would only be able to resist the tension of 13s..... is this true?

also, noodleplugerina, can you tell me a little more about the Zakk Wylde stings..... what guage did you get them in, and how did they sound?

BM


I had the 70s in an Epiphone SG... Didn't get it set up or anything, just tuned straight to C and they were fine.

Very meaty, but you have to get used to the fact that the first 3 are pretty standard, and that the bass strings are thick as hell - Huge contrast to other strings.

Heard of people snapping their nuts (God that sounds funny) with the 70s though, so don't be too gung-ho.

Overall they're ace strings, although the only downside isn't neccesarily a downside - they're nothing like the other stuff on the market, so don't expect your guitar to be perfectly intonated or anything with them.

Also - If you have a locking trem - Be warned, might need extra springs if you want to put these on.


i won't have the problem of a snapping nut (!!!) because i have a locking nut so it should be fine.

i have a locking nut yes, and i don't really want to get new springs. should i get the .060s instead of the 70s?
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: noodleplugerine on February 07, 2007, 05:36:57 PM
Quote from: BLOODMOUNTAIN
Quote from: noodleplugerine
Quote from: BLOODMOUNTAIN
hmmmm my old man told me that my Razorback would only be able to resist the tension of 13s..... is this true?

also, noodleplugerina, can you tell me a little more about the Zakk Wylde stings..... what guage did you get them in, and how did they sound?

BM


I had the 70s in an Epiphone SG... Didn't get it set up or anything, just tuned straight to C and they were fine.

Very meaty, but you have to get used to the fact that the first 3 are pretty standard, and that the bass strings are thick as hell - Huge contrast to other strings.

Heard of people snapping their nuts (God that sounds funny) with the 70s though, so don't be too gung-ho.

Overall they're ace strings, although the only downside isn't neccesarily a downside - they're nothing like the other stuff on the market, so don't expect your guitar to be perfectly intonated or anything with them.

Also - If you have a locking trem - Be warned, might need extra springs if you want to put these on.


i won't have the problem of a snapping nut (!!!) because i have a locking nut so it should be fine.

i have a locking nut yes, and i don't really want to get new springs. should i get the .060s instead of the 70s?


Haven't tried them but I doubt they're any worse :P
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: MDV on February 07, 2007, 05:42:21 PM
I use the 70s GHS set in one of my guitars: I havent had a problem with my nut, bar that I had to widen the groove, and the machine head didnt allow the 70 through, so I had to drill it out.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: HTH AMPS on February 07, 2007, 06:10:46 PM
Quote from: MDV
I use the 70s GHS set in one of my guitars: I havent had a problem with my nut, bar that I had to widen the groove, and the machine head didnt allow the 70 through, so I had to drill it out.


heh, what a legend!!!  a .70 on the low E is SERIOUSLY chunky.  bet you move some air with that guitar .

 :twisted:
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 07, 2007, 07:27:54 PM
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
Quote from: MDV
I use the 70s GHS set in one of my guitars: I havent had a problem with my nut, bar that I had to widen the groove, and the machine head didnt allow the 70 through, so I had to drill it out.


heh, what a legend!!!  a .70 on the low E is SERIOUSLY chunky.  bet you move some air with that guitar .

 :twisted:


1. if i used 70s would i have to widen the nut if the nut is locking?

2. if i used 70s would i need to get new springs for my floating trem (LFR)?

3. is i used 70s would i need to widen my machineheads?

4. would i still move air if i used 60s instead of 70s?  :)

thanks, BM
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: MDV on February 08, 2007, 12:19:49 AM
The only one of those I can answer with certaintly is:

4: You will move plenty of air with a 60. My 2 main guitars are 60, 43, 33, 19, 15, 11: They move plenty of air.

Theres a very good chance you'll have to drill the machine head, too. Less so with the 60, but some still need it (my Dean took it fine but the schaller lockings on my legra didnt: Bob was kind enough to sort it before I got my hands on it).

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

heh, what a legend!!!  a .70 on the low E is SERIOUSLY chunky.  bet you move some air with that guitar .

 :twisted:


 :drink:
 :twisted:
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: hermz on February 08, 2007, 07:15:19 AM
What scale length is your guitar man?

I'd recommend 12-54 for Drop C on a 25.5" scale, 13-56 on 24.75". It's really about what feels right to you though.

I play in C standard and use a 12-54 set with the 3rd changed to an unwound 18.

Some people like a really fat heavy E string, as is evident from the above posts :P
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: gorath23 on February 08, 2007, 09:31:29 AM
Sorta on topic, anyone recommend strings for D Standard? I bought 11's but they don't have enough tension, I'm probably looking for a 12-50/52 set, but Ernie Ball don't do them... :(  I have a 25.5 inch scale Schecter Hellraiser btw. Thanks!
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: BloodMountain on February 08, 2007, 09:43:07 PM
so would i need to do anything to my guitar (apart from the truss rod and LFR realign) if i fitted the 10-60 set?

thanks, BM

PS... my scale length is 24.75 i think...
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: MDV on February 08, 2007, 09:50:44 PM
I cant definately answer you, these things vary, but probably not, no.
Title: String gauges - quick question
Post by: MDV on February 08, 2007, 09:51:32 PM
Quote from: gorath23
Sorta on topic, anyone recommend strings for D Standard? I bought 11's but they don't have enough tension, I'm probably looking for a 12-50/52 set, but Ernie Ball don't do them... :(  I have a 25.5 inch scale Schecter Hellraiser btw. Thanks!
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=669