Lower Tunings on a 24.75" scale LP

[James C]

After spending the last week listening to Soilwork, i've decided that i want to experiment with B Standard Tuning when i restring my Signature LP (loaded with MMs) i just wanted some info on the following

1) what string gauge do you recommend for B-E-A-D-F#-B tuning?
2) will i need to adjust the truss rod much? as the tension from the heavier strings will be offset by the lowered tuning
3) how will MMs sound in the lower tuning?

any other info i should be aware of?

[Roobubba]

After spending the last week listening to Soilwork, i've decided that i want to experiment with B Standard Tuning when i restring my Signature LP (loaded with MMs) i just wanted some info on the following

1) what string gauge do you recommend for B-E-A-D-F#-B tuning?
2) will i need to adjust the truss rod much? as the tension from the heavier strings will be offset by the lowered tuning
3) how will MMs sound in the lower tuning?

any other info i should be aware of?

For a 25.5" scale length, I managed to get approximately the right tension with a set of EJ22 Jazz Medium strings (gauge 13 set from D'Addario), where previously I had been using 10s in standard tuning. That was for A-E-A-D-F#-B tuning, so pretty much bang on what you want, BUT you'll have to factor in the shorter scale length, and I'm afraid I haven't time just now to find the resources I used to work this out (a long time ago!).

Probably won't need to adjust the truss rod much, if at all. I had to change the tension on my floyd rose when I made the change, but only by a very small amount.
MMs will sound crushing, articulate and - on the low strings - phat, dark and beefy, but retaining clarity and bite on the high strings.
At least my MMs did :)

Roo

[jibidy]

I have an Epi SG 24.75" With Ernie ball "not even slinkys" .56" - .10" i think might be .11"

This works well but mine is in drop B so the rest are higher. I would reccomend you try these strings because they have always worked for me.

As for the neck, Not much adjustment should be needed, i change mine now and then anyway, might need to raise the bridge a bit.

Also the nut slots may need to be widened, some people do this with the strings themselves.

I would say dont worry about it to much, most people hate it and will say stuff like "i would never try detuning it will ruin your tone and may damage your guitar, consult a tech before you do anything"

In my experience, non trem guitars are usually fine with detuning, as long as you match string gauges and tension accordingly. And miracle men will hit soilwork like tones very well, I used to have MM's and i loved playing soilwork stuff with them.

All you may find is you might need a tad more gain to hit get the low notes really booming.

[James C]

cheers for the responses guys, i have just bought some 'not even slinky's' which are 12-56, will string up tonight and stretch in before band practice.

BTW this is all research as to whether i like playing in B as my Girlfriend said she'd either get me an acoustic or 7-string for my birthday (21st) as long as its no more than £300 (cos she's a student) of course a 7 under 300 means RG7321, then i get to choose BKP's to match.

[jibidy]

I really like the sound of B.

Not even slinkies are good, sometimes i find the higher strings abit stiff but they play in nicely and you be tuning them lower than I have any way.

I'de be interested to see how you like it. Keep the thread going a bit.

For a seven under £300 i would say the 7321 is good. most are more expensive now.
Some people like the Schecters but they arent around in the UK so much. I had a damien 7 and it was sweet but I decided to stay with 6 strings because I have small hands.

[James C]

I've had the strings on for just over a day now, and it sounds awesome, and its made some riffs, which in Standard tuning sound a bit 'meh' into the nuclei of some awesome riffing (well as awesome as my riffing gets).

Now i just need to sell my drumkit and get an ENGL fireball + 4x12

then i will see about the 7 string, although i'm almost tempted to get a baritone, maybe the PRS Mike Mushok Model, and chuck in more MM

[Roobubba]

Baritones rock. :)

[jibidy]

Mike Mushok w/MM's would be real fun!

What I don't like about alot of contemporary baritones and sevens is that they seem to have EMG's to often, and it seems that part of the price is for the extra electrics and routing that I would take out anyway.

But then my hands dont get along with long baritone scale anyway, I'm fine  with 24.75 scale.

[James C]

If my band starts using B tuning for more material, i'll be wanting to drop my NB equipped vigier into B, its a 25.5" scale length so i'm thinking that 12's should be awesome, and the best part,  no trussrod to adjust (as i'm lazy and supposedly i have no depth perception!!)

[Tricalibur]

For B I use 56, 46, 36, 20(unwound), 16, 12. I play on a shorter scale instrument like you do and I have not had any problems other than some string buzz.