What string Gauge and Brand for Drop B/C?

[A Call For Repentance]

I was just curious as to what string gauge would be ideal for a guitar that jumps between Drop C and Drop B? I don't like loose strings on the bottom, but I neither want a guage that's going to add too much unwanted tension. For the top strings, I'm playing in Drop C atm with Ernie Ball Heavy Bottom, Skinny Top (10-13-17) and find these ideal since I do a lot of soloing, but dropping to Drop B (even though only a half-tone) I find it gets quite loose, so I'd preferably be looking for something around 11s if you agree, unless you think 12s would be better. If I'm comfortable with 10s atm in Drop C, surely 11s will be better for me for Drop B/C though? I've been recommended to play something in the vicinity of 56-60 for Drop B. With my Ernie Ball Heavy Bottom, Skinny Top, the bottom string is 52, and whilst it's ideal for D standard, it does seem to be loose for Drop C, it's still possible though, i just want something more stable, whilst not being too thick that it will again, add unnecessary tension when moving up from B to C. So do you think 58 would be a nice compromise? My common sense tells me that 11-58 would suit me perfectly for Drop B/C, but I don't want to pay for my guitar to be set up, for the strings to be completely wrong, if you get me, lol?

So if you could recommend me string gauges for this tuning, as well as a brand (not expensive since I'm not rich to afford a pair of Elixers every other week, haha), it would help a lot, cheers

[A Call For Repentance]

Just had a look around and wondered what people made of these? It's 11-56. I'm thinking this may give me a bit more versatility to be able to tune to D Standard as well. What do you think? Or do you this 56 will be fine for D Standard, Drop C, but loose for Drop B?

http://www.craigsmusicltd.co.uk/daddario-exl117-electric-strings-drop-d-11-56--x3-sets-53744-p.asp

[Sancho]

That's what I was going to suggest. Should be quite balanced.
I'm playing EXL 116s, which is .011-.052, on Gibson scale guitars tuned to D.

[nfe]

I use 14-18-26-36-48-60 in C standard. The same but with a 70 on the bottom in B standard. In both cases I use Newtone Nickel Masters with thicker cores for extra tension. My guitars in C are 25.5, the one in B is 24.75.

I like high tension for soloing, though, so you may want something lighter in the top end. I struggle to play anything fast accurately with lighter strings than that on the bottom, though.

[Crunch]

You may want to look into Dunlop Heavy Cores. Consider your tone, however, as Tony Iommi, Down, and most stoner metal uses 24.75" scale, tune to C, and use medium/"heavy" gauge strings for the loose flub. I love that tone but prefer the feel of almost bass heavy strings on longer scales. Just play around until you figure it out.

[A Call For Repentance]

I prefer tighter strings on the bottom, but lighter on the top. I as well, find it hard to play anything fast  on the bottom strings with anything loose, but for the top 3 strings, I prefer them to be quite light for easy bending etc.

[Kiichi]

If you can get a fitting set (itīs hard in germany to get the set you want, donīt know where you are), but if you can get your hands on some DR DDTs, I think the might be great for you. DR makes beautiful strings in general and these are especially made for dropped tunings. The donīt get floppy very easily.
I used a varioation on one of those sets on my 7 string once, where I normally need a 64 or 66 Dadario string for my lower b I only needed a 60 there to not feel flabby. And they stay in tune pretty darn good.

Generally I can only recommend DR and the DDTs in perticular for dropped tunings.

Also generally their Tite Fits and Pure Blues are great (and sunbeams for accoustic).

[A Call For Repentance]

Yh I was really considering the DR DDT, but it's either 11-54 which may be too loose for Drop B, or 12-60 which will be perfect, but may be too tight for if I tune upto D Standard. And I think I should stick with 11 maximum if I like 10s for Drop C. It's a shame DR don't do individual strings, I could just buy another bottom string. And I'm in the UK btw :)

[Dr.Pain]

12-60 works great for drop b.  I took the expensive option and got a 7 string.

[A Call For Repentance]

Yh I was looking at 12-60 as well. I just think 12 might be a little bit too tight on the higher strings. If I play 10s and the feel perfect in Drop C, going up to 12s would seem a big step considering it's only a semitone. And to say I jump back between Drop C & B, 12-60 might be a bit too tight don't you think? It's just so bloody hard to decide haha. I guess I'll get the D'Adarrio 1-56 and judge if any strings need to be a bit tighter n start to create a custom set. A question which I was curious about though was: do you have to use certain guages with each other to keep the tension equal?

[JacksonRR]

I usually side with DR. Currently I'm back with the Mega Heavy Tite-fits. The DDTs felt great and they have a good deal of attack to them. I found the midrange really hard to dial in for some reason. Once I got it, everything was cool. Used the ones with a 56 on the low side for drop B. I like a bit of "wobble" in my chords. Had used the Zakk Wylde GHS ones with the 60 on the bottom. Nice, but not as present as DRs.

[Madsakre]

I use 12-60 on a flying v. Tuned to drop B

[A Call For Repentance]

I use 12-60 on a flying v. Tuned to drop B

How does the 12 feel for soloing, bending etc.? You have it tuned to C# don't you?

[Kiichi]

Since the flobbieness is an issue for you you should probably get strings with nickel plated steel or pure steel and hexacores.
That is despite the brand itself.
I always found that steel and hexcore make for "harder" strings. When you play roundwound nickel strings they just feel softer.

[A Call For Repentance]

Since the flobbieness is an issue for you you should probably get strings with nickel plated steel or pure steel and hexacores.
That is despite the brand itself.
I always found that steel and hexcore make for "harder" strings. When you play roundwound nickel strings they just feel softer.

So the DR DDT's might be a good bet then since they're hex-core?