Calling all De-Tuned Users. String Gauge Recommendations

smitty_p

smitty_p

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So, I am now playing my Jackson dropped a full step (D-Standard). Right now, I have 10-46 strings on it. I had those on it from when I had it in Eb-Standard.

The new band is doing a few songs that are almost alt-metal, so I need to drop my range a bit.

For those of you who have your guitars dropped a full step, what is your preferred string gauge?

I know...I know...the easy answer is to just buy a different pack and try them out, but I'm trying to minimize the amount of experimenting (and thus, cost) by asking for the experience of others here.

I think the 10-46 feel a little loose in this tuning. I'm contemplating something like 11-50.
 
smitty_p said:
So, I am now playing my Jackson dropped a full step (D-Standard). Right now, I have 10-46 strings on it. I had those on it from when I had it in Eb-Standard.

The new band is doing a few songs that are almost alt-metal, so I need to drop my range a bit.

For those of you who have your guitars dropped a full step, what is your preferred string gauge?

I know...I know...the easy answer is to just buy a different pack and try them out, but I'm trying to minimize the amount of experimenting (and thus, cost) by asking for the experience of others here.

I think the 10-46 feel a little loose in this tuning. I'm contemplating something like 11-50.
Click to expand...
Albert King told me that I should use heavy gauge strings, with a wound 018 G string.
He said those strings ("telephone poles") would produce the proper tone.
 
Jimmy Page: 8-38

Tony Iommi: 8-33 (when in D# tuning)

Chuck Berry: 8-38

Yngwie Malmsteen: 8-48

Steve Hackett: 8-38

Frank Zappa: 8-46
Joe Satriani: 9-42

Brian May: 9-42 (gold-covered, no less!)

Dimebag Darrell: 9-46 (when in standard tuning)

Steve Vai: 9-42

Eddie Van Halen: 9-40 (9-42 in latter days)

Billy Corgan: 9-46

Scott Ian: 9-42 (previously 11-56)

Gary Moore 9-48 (10-52 in earlier times)

Dave Navarro: 9-42 (also 10-46)

Jennifer Batten: 9-48

Mark Knopfler: 9-42
Randy Rhoads: 9-42

Reeves Gabrels: 9-46

Tony Iommi: 9-42 (C# tuning)

John Petrucci: 9-46

Tom Morello: 9-46 (10-46 on Drop D guitars)

Adrian Smith: 9-40

Dave Murray: 9-40

Angus Young: 9-42

Steve Rothery: 9-42
Sophie Lloyd: 10-48

Kirk Hammett: 10-48 (sometimes 11-48)

Eric Clapton: 10-46

Kerry King: 10-46 (10-52 for drop tunings)

Jeff Beck: 10-46 (also 11-50)

Eric Johnson: 10-46

David Gilmour: 10-48

Jimi Hendrix: 10-38

Jerry Cantrell: 10-46

Nancy Wilson: 10-46

Devin Townsend: 10-52

Nuno Bettenbourt: 10-52

BB King: 10-46

John Frusciante: 10-46

Rob Flynn: 10-58

Bill Kelliher: 10-52 (also a .060 on the bottom for drop B tunings)

Matt Bellamy: 10-52 (also known for having a .060 for his lowest string!)
And 11’s
Yvette Young: 11-48

Daniel Davies: 11-50

Joe Bonamassa: 11-52

Keith Richards: 11-42

James Hetfield: 11-50

Robin Finck: 11-48

Duane Denison: 11-48 (10-44 on 24.75” scale)

Mick Mars: 11-48
Malcolm Young: 12-56

Thurston Moore (varies widely depending on song, but often 12-54)

Malcolm Young: 12-56

Thurston Moore (varies widely depending on song, but often 12-54)

Stevie Ray Vaughan: 13-58 (with many variations including 13-52 and 12-62, depending on sources)


9’s and 10’s are most popular

Hybrids in the 048 - 050 on low E with 10’s on the high E are also popular.

The source is:

String Gauges of Legendary Guitarists | guitarguitar

What string gauge does your favourite guitarist use? Find out here!
www.guitarguitar.co.uk www.guitarguitar.co.uk
 
smitty_p said:
So, I am now playing my Jackson dropped a full step (D-Standard). Right now, I have 10-46 strings on it. I had those on it from when I had it in Eb-Standard.

The new band is doing a few songs that are almost alt-metal, so I need to drop my range a bit.

For those of you who have your guitars dropped a full step, what is your preferred string gauge?

I know...I know...the easy answer is to just buy a different pack and try them out, but I'm trying to minimize the amount of experimenting (and thus, cost) by asking for the experience of others here.

I think the 10-46 feel a little loose in this tuning. I'm contemplating something like 11-50.
Click to expand...
I’ve been living in D-Standard/drop C for about the last year and a half. I’ve stuck with the 10-46 on the shorter scales(24-25”) pretty happily. I’m torn on the Fender scale though…kinda want to move them to 10-46, as opposed to my current setups of 9-42. Trouble is, I may have a project coming up that requires standard E tuning, and I know that I do not care for 10-46 at that pitch, on that scale.
I find it easier to adapt to the squishy, than overcoming the tension.
 
Drop D I just used my standard 9s on my Jackson. Or 10s on my SG.

Heavy bottoms/skinny tops tuned C# or drop B. On my BC Rich and Dean V

I’ve tried Beefy bottoms but didn’t like them.

Other than my BC Rich and Dean, everything has 9s or 10s and I use my drop pedal for the occasional 1 or 2 step down tuning.
 
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