Drop C String Gauge

  • Thread starter Thread starter FourT6and2
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11-56 NYXL is what I would use. Or 12-60 NYXL if you like a tighter feel.
 
VonBonfire said:
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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If you have PA support it’s a non issue. DI from the amp and a mic on the cab for dirt. I can usually get by without PA, but I have a pretty good grasp of how to do live sound and properly EQ. But then I’m rarely playing old blues or anything where flats are appropriate.
 
My Mayo is set up in standard D tuning with Ernie Balls 11 54, the ones @RaceU4her posted - It feels great and tight
 
MetalGOD84 said:
these are great for Drop-D and drop-C# but for drop-C it doesn't work for me. At least on a 24.75 scale.
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That's weird....works great for me...but I like to do bends and play melody from time to time.

I love high tension as well, love 12s for dropped d. But I had to make changes to play many genres on one guitar.

It's good to be outside the comfort zone sometimes. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
10s—even a hybrid set—are probably not going to work since I already play 10s. I want to tune down to drop C and maintain similar string tension on the neck. I'll try one of those tension calculators and see where that gets me.
 
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I use these for drop-c and drop-b.


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I also use 52-10 for drop-c and drop-d.

So basically for me it depends if I'm gonna wanna go up or down from drop-c, as to which ones I use. I've got three Les Paul's and two of them are drop-b/c and one of them is drop-d/c.
 
I use the D'Addario EXL140 above for my 25.5 scale guitars tuned to D standard. This should work for drop C. If the 52 is too floppy, up it to a 54 or 56.
 
Guys I know usually go for 10-52 on standart scale. I think Pin from Sikth also said something along those lines.
 
Floyd Eye said:
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.
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It’s why I love my older Mexi, P bass special (or maybe deluxe?). It’s the JP version with active electronics. It came with a Jazz bass neck and I never use it as a JP on the pickups, just as a P bass. I can’t roll with the traditional P bass neck shape.
 
I wouldn’t go much heavier than a 50 on the Low E for that scale length. Not if you want to retain any snap or pick/finger dynamics for your right hand. If you’re just going to hammer away on one finger chords it may not matter. I used 10-52 for years in the 90’s on a Les Paul and it worked fine but also back then we didn’t have as many sets of different gauges like now. You had to either order from GHS, who would accommodate custom sets or make your own with individual strings.
I recently got an EVH Frankie (non-stripe) and have been trying to dial in D standard/drop C on it and so far I’m at 11-50 but seriously considering a 10 1/2 to 48 gauge I found. I first tried EXL116’s (11-52) and they were way too thick and the tension for bending was too high. It’s been surprising to me how much difference the longer scale length has made in string gauge that feels right.
 
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For my Drop C guitar I have been super happy with these DR Tite Fits. 11-50


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I use a regular 11 set with a 52 on the "low E" ....Sometimes the 49 is fine depending on the guitar. I always find the lighter strings sound better as long as the tension feels ok to you. Some might go for something like a 12 set or go thicker on the EAD strings. But again for me it's the balance of going as light as I can without it feeling like rubber bands.
 
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