What gauge strings for the uber metal?

[Matt300ZXT]

So if I wanted to tune one of my guitars pretty low, like, black girl dropping it like it's hot at the club low, what gauge string is recommended? Most of my guitars are in Eb with 9-42s, or standard with 9-42s. Would like a basic set of 11s cover something in the range of B or C standard? That way, I could get my Carcass, Arch Enemy, etc on. Also, do those fit typically in a standard guitar's nut? I've never used a set that heavy.

 

[cobrahead1030]

EB makes an 11-54 set that works pretty well for drop B or C standard.

 

[Yehuda]

Stringjoy has a tension calculator that should allow you to match your current gauge and tuning

 

[BeZo]

I'm using 11-56 for standard C.

 

[Matt300ZXT]

I'm using 11-56 for standard C.

Any buzzing or floppy string issues? Is yours a stringthrough with TOM bridge setup?

 

[ZEN Amps]

So if I wanted to tune one of my guitars pretty low, like, black girl dropping it like it's hot at the club low, what gauge string is recommended? Most of my guitars are in Eb with 9-42s, or standard with 9-42s. Would like a basic set of 11s cover something in the range of B or C standard? That way, I could get my Carcass, Arch Enemy, etc on. Also, do those fit typically in a standard guitar's nut? I've never used a set that heavy.

You have to tailor the set for the player and axe - how hard you hit and scale length in particular makes a big difference. 11-56 on a Les Paul tuned low is noticeably floppier than a 25.5" and longer design.

And moving up from 9's I wouldn't be surprised if the nut needed work.

 

[Matt300ZXT]

You have to tailor the set for the player and axe - how hard you hit and scale length in particular makes a big difference. 11-56 on a Les Paul tuned low is noticeably floppier than a 25.5" and longer design.

And moving up from 9's I wouldn't be surprised if the nut needed work.

It's a 25" scale string through TOM setup. I also play very lightly, the only one in my friends group that can play a scalloped fretboard and it still sound in tune lol I don't know what the nut was cut for from the factory, I just happen to have 9s on them.

If it's going to take filing the nut and filing the saddles I'm not going to fool with it. I may just throw some 10s on and see how low they can be tuned w/o being nasty.

 

[ZEN Amps]

It's a 25" scale string through TOM setup. I also play very lightly, the only one in my friends group that can play a scalloped fretboard and it still sound in tune lol I don't know what the nut was cut for from the factory, I just happen to have 9s on them.

If it's going to take filing the nut and filing the saddles I'm not going to fool with it. I may just throw some 10s on and see how low they can be tuned w/o being nasty.

The light touch will help for sure. Yeah try some 10's but you may get away with 11's - worth experimenting and worst case you're out less than $10.

Also worth checking the relief / truss rod if you're radically changing gauge.

 

[BeZo]

Any buzzing or floppy string issues? Is yours a stringthrough with TOM bridge setup?

No, it's tight. I'm a bassist, so I like them on the heavy side.

And yeah, they are string though Tune-o-matic.

 

[glpg80]

13-62 (solid core G - wound G’s are for acoustic)
24.75”
Drop Bb and Cb

 

[PiggySmallz]

13-62 (solid core G - wound G’s are for acoustic)
24.75”
Drop Bb and Cb

This. I used 12-54 or 12-60 for Drop B on 25" scale

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

I go light
9-54 7 string B standard
10-52 C# standard 6 string
Floyd rose bridges