Anybody using GHS (Zakk Wylde ) 10 - 60 in standard tuning ?

[Fourth Feline]

Hiya folks,

I am getting mighty curious about those GHS Boomers that run 10 - 60.

My prime concern is that I like to stick to standard tuning - and am therefore cautious as to whether or not they could wreak havoc on my guitars, even after the truss rod has been set and the nut slot widened.

I would therefore be really interested in any stories/anecdotes from anybody  using this set in standard tuning.

Thanks in advance.

Regards to all,

F.F.

[TwilightOdyssey]

10-60 in standard tuning is a lot of tension.

[Fourth Feline]

Thanks T.O.

That was my concern.

 I usually use standard 'skinny top - heavy bottoms' ( 10 - 52 )  on my short scale guitars and unless I hear otherwise will probably stick to those gauges.

 I don't play the heavy stuff, but enjoy listening to it - and when it came round to string ordering time, you can imagine I had the usual case of 'guitarists curiosity' about going one step beyond.

My own use is probably to pick out clean bass lines, which ( as you will no doubt appreciate ) - can apply to Soul and Blues as well as Metal.

I look forward to further confirmation / denial.

Meanwhile, thanks for the input.  :D

[Will]

well they're fine, not exceptional, i think they are meant to break in fast, but they don't seem to have long in their prime.
tension wise - they had an ok feel on the fingers, but does screw the fingers a bit
the action never was right though, but i think ZW has his high anyway.
i'm on 10-52 rotosounds now and happy with that

[Fourth Feline]

Thanks  Will !

You make a convincing and articulate case for Roto Blues !

If they are good enough for you and 'Snowy' White, then I guess they look like a more sustainable option. I have D'addarios on there now, and the !0 - 52 set allows for a lovely low action and yet still handle comfy enough with a nice 'growl' on the bass strings.

Cheers !

F.F.

[maliciousteve]

The optimum string tension for a low E in a set of 10's is actually around the .59/.60 mark. So the tension will be much more but won't mess the guitar up too much. Though you will have to adjust the truss rod.

I use 10-52's myself and i'm pretty happy with that.


I've actually got a set of ZW 11-70's on my lap right now. He must either tune incredibly low or hand incredibly strong hands

[Fourth Feline]

Hi Steve,


Probably an advanced case of strong hands in his case. Unfortunately, my hands look more like a pianists ( read that last word carefully ) ...

Nice to hear you get along with 10 -52s too.

Cheers !

F.F.

[futuregun]

defo stick with th skinny top heavy bottom option man. i used those ZW 60s  in d standard an it was still very taught!! i was a bit nervous when tuning incase i lost  an eye lol whille with the skinnys in d standard they are perfect so likely still be grand in E.

but in b standard those ZW's well  theyre great!!!  

[Transcend]

The optimum string tension for a low E in a set of 10's is actually around the .59/.60 mark. So the tension will be much more but won't mess the guitar up too much. Though you will have to adjust the truss rod.

I use 10-52's myself and i'm pretty happy with that.


I've actually got a set of ZW 11-70's on my lap right now. He must either tune incredibly low or hand incredibly strong hands

one of my friends bought some of the 11-70s and the low E wouldnt fit through the machine head.

[deg0ey]

one of my friends bought some of the 11-70s and the low E wouldnt fit through the machine head.

Owned.

But yeah, I've used Roto blues for as long as I can remember. Although I did my physics coursework last year on harmonics and string vibration, so I bought loads of different thickness guitar strings and not all of them got used. Since I had them lying about I thought I'd give them a go.

The increase in tone with a set of 12 - 52s was incredible, but I had to change back down 'cause I nearly broke my fingers.

I'm quite tempted to try the Roto Reds (11-48 ) and hope it's somewhere between the two.

[WezV]

I usually go with 11's on most of my personal stuff.

I might have to try some of these ZW sets on the fanned fret les paul i am making.  That will be gibson scale on the high e, but classical (26") scale on the low E  - should work nice with a heavy bottom light top combo

[deg0ey]

I know it's off topic, but may I ask what are the advantages and disadvantages of a fanned fret guitar? - I've never seen a production model, and have wondered for a while what the benefits are.

[WezV]

1. more even tension between the strings - its something thats makes a lot more sense when you  get onto extended range basses.  ever played a 5 string with a uselessly floppy b-string.  The effect is there on guitars to a lesser degree but becomes more noticable when you start tuning down

2.  the frets follow the movement of your hand better.  If you reach out for the low frets and move your hand up the neck your hand and wrist will arc rather than just move in a straight line

3.  It looks pretty cool!!

[Nadz1lla]

Like this? http://www.blackmachine.net/assets/884aL.jpg

[WezV]

yeah thats a fairly nice one, and a wise way to make an 8 string