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Strings for drop tuning.

HasserWeiss

Stairway to Heaven Tab Studier
Apr 29, 2020
2
13
Guatemala
hasserweiss.bandcamp.com
10
My string choice are the Ernie Ball Paradigm or Cobalt, .12 gauge, and I play in Drop C tuning with a Floyd Rose copy.

Haven't broken a string in a long time and tension feels nice. I'm not an avid/capable guy when it comes to setup and changes, so couldn't say much more than this haha.
 
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Ed Seith

Supreme Galactic Overlord
Staff member
Legend+
  • Nov 11, 2019
    3,882
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    Marana, AZ USA
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    The goal with drop tuning is always consistency - you want the drop-tuned guitar to FEEL the same as your standard-tuned guitar. While everyone will have a different preference, I find a good starting point is one gauge per whole step.

    So if I like my 9-42s for E standard, then I would start with 10-46 for D standard.
    If I like 9-46 for Drop D, then I'd start with 10-48 for Drop C.

    Make sense? That's a good starting point, and you can adjust again with your next set of strings if it's not quite right. Ernies come in split gauges now - I use 9.5-44s for my Eb standard guitars.
     
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    owen817

    Garage band Groupie
  • Jan 24, 2022
    56
    150
    Fort Worth, TX
    1
    Update on the post. I put the Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky strings on. So far I love how they sound and how much better they hold a drop tuning. I would highly recommend them to anybody who likes playing heavier songs. I did have to make some other adjustments to my guitar but it was a fairly simple and straight forward process.
     
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    Synner Endless Summer Collection

    scoennen

    New Student
    Oct 2, 2023
    4
    1
    I would like to see what strings everyone uses for drop tuning. I have been playing on Ernie Ball Skinny Tops Heavy Bottoms for a while now. They can drop tune but not as low as I would like. I recently purchased some Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky and some DR DDT. Has anybody used these?
    I would like to see what strings everyone uses for drop tuning. I have been playing on Ernie Ball Skinny Tops Heavy Bottoms for a while now. They can drop tune but not as low as I would like. I recently purchased some Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky and some DR DDT. Has anybody used these?
    I personal get great results with the EB "not even slinky" 10-56 all the way to baritone but in no way fun to play in an E standard (unless your a sadist and like to have your fingers bleed.. Lol) I can drop any string (even an 8) down to a Cb if it has a FR or Evertune bridge but for a hard tail those EBs I mentioned are the way to go.. Check your neck relief after an install though.. My axion went hockey stick on me but I think they kid i bought it from had 7s on it they were so light... Hope they helps
     
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