String Gauges for downtuning to C

[Laquer Head]

Is there an "Ideal" String gauge for tuning to C? I dont want strings thats are so thin that thay flop around, but I also dont want strings so thick that I might risk warping my neck. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Cooperman]

Well because the tension in the strings isn't that great when down to C you neck shouldn't warp.

I got a floating trem and I find that for E I can use 042-009 and they seem about right, for Eb I can use 046-010 and they seem about right and for D I can use 052-011 and that seems abiut right. So guess for C you are probably looking for the bottom string to be around 058-062??? I'm not really familiar with such heavy strings so I can't really help that much, but C is only half a step above B... so it's probably just as easy to go out and buy a pack of strings for those 7 string guitars and then just chuck the 009 or whatever the 1st string is away...

 

[Even]

agreed. A 58 does the trick without being too floopy. But I would steer you towards a bronze as opposed to a 80/20... you get more wiggle from the wire using real metal.

 

[Helmut]

I presume this setup is needed for metal? I have never tried the following but I know people who did and it sounded like it worked:

They put a bass guitar string in the E position of their guit, I can not remember which one though and then detuned the guit ALOT. What I dont like about it is that they had to cut the groove in the nut bigger to accomodate the thicker string. The sound was very full and quite good but who knows what that does to the neck.

The string kept very stable, no extreme wobbling going on

http://www.mp3.com/spunkonnancy
http://www.garageband.com/artist/salemonsunday

 

[guhlenn]

Now you're talking!

something i can answer.

my guitar is downtuned to A.

i use a .052-.011 and that's just fine don't believe the korn hype of using 060-070. that's WAY too much. the string is almost as playable as a normal E. doesn't do strange things and no carvin' in to nuts(?) or anything. if you want bigger strings think about the slapping of string against frets or pickup. AND the first time you detune: don't do it yourselve, you can but it 'll sound like shit. Bring it to your guitarshop and let them worry about new intonation and the correct settings of saddles and stuff. No harm to the neck or whatever.

greetz guhlenn
you can hear it : http://www.nonofus.com section audio (in dutch though, well the text , not the music)

ps. it gives the fattest grind you can imagine... enjoy!