Drop C String Gauge

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FourT6and2

FourT6and2

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Thinking of setting up one of my guitars for drop C. Mayones Duvell, 25.4" scale. I run 10s in standard/drop D. What gauge should I use to keep the tension about the same? 11s? 12s?
 
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Honestly I would just use the strings you have. Tune them how you want and then see if you like how the slightly less tension feels. If not, incrementally try larger strings
 
Would stick to at least 11s if you're used to 10s on standard tuning at that scale(also 10-?).
Some good string tension calculators out there. Try stringjoy, iirc.
One brand to the next isn't necessarily the same tension on the same sizes, but will give you an idea on where to start.
 
I go up a gauge for every half step down, generally. I also go a gauge down as scale length increases. My Strat in E has 8s, most everything else is based on that.
 
IMO, your best bet for lower tunings is to go with GHS or Curt Mangan Strings, as the thicker strings from EB or Daddario have thinner cores and i never liked the feel of that. Feels kinda unbalanced to me.
For C, I use 12, 15.5, 19, 32, 42, 52 from Curt Mangan.
 
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I’d use 11s for that.

Not apples to apples but I used a PRS SE Clint Lowery with 11s for full step down and dropped C for a little while. Pretty nice guitar for how cheap it was but it was only for 2-3 songs. I ditched it for a Digitech Drop pedal LOL.
 
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I’m running 10’s for everything and they are fine. My Sykes is in c# standard and my explorer is in drop b or b#…. No issues. I need to tweak the neck on my root tele but it’s the one I swap tunings on constantly because it’s a hardtail. And it rips pretty good with that roxy in it. I need to try some heavy gauge strings..maybe I’m missing out on something. Honestly I don’t know how guys can stand them though.
 
Floyd Eye said:
No such thing
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If two bassists try out and they are equal in every way except one guy has a jazz bass and the other guy has a P-Bass I'd hire the P-Bass guy cause nothing sits in the mix like a Precision with flats.
 
VonBonfire said:
If two bassists try out and they are equal in every way except one guy has a jazz bass and the other guy has a P-Bass I'd hire the P-Bass guy cause nothing sits in the mix like a Precision with flats.
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I have given away more P basses than I can count. I still have one. It’s set up with Chromes. Haven’t played it since the last time I was in the studio with a band called Hookman and the Hellraisers doing a movie soundtrack. My old man loved them though. Especially through an old SVT.

My Spector out p basses a p bass.
 
For the record my dislike of P basses is because the necks feel like someone sawed a baseball bat in half longways. Put a J neck on it and it’d be ok.
 
Floyd Eye said:
I have given away more P basses than I can count. I still have one. It’s set up with Chromes. Haven’t played it since the last time I was in the studio with a band called Hookman and the Hellraisers doing a movie soundtrack. My old man loved them though. Especially through an old SVT.

My Spector out p basses a p bass.
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I love 'em through an old SVT too. That's pretty much the ultimate rig IMO. My current bassman has a well worn 70's model and runs it through a newer Mesa amp/cab and gets a really good sound. The new Mesa cabs are light but sound nice n beefy. Not an SVT but not hell to haul either. I was fairly impressed with what they turned out.

There are a few basses that do seem to be on the level with a P. The Stingrays come to mind. Big, fat rich sound. Every time I see a j-bass I get ready for snap crackle pop cause usually there is a style that goes along with it that isn't about holding down the bottom end.
 
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