Tuning up and down

[Cue Zephyr]

Howdy folks,

I have a set of 14-59 and I will tune down to Db or C standard on a 25.5" scale (13-56 in E standard). I'm thinking 14-59 might not even be enough but it's all I have.
I wanna try and tune up to F# or G standard with a set of 10-49 on a 23.5" scale (12-53 in E standard).
I'm hoping to achieve a baritone vs. standard tuning-like interaction.

Will this be alright?

Cheers!
CZ

[Placida]

I can't say, but it sure sounds interesting. Please post a video when you do it. I'd like to hear what it sounds like.

[scottishrogue]

I'm curious why anyone would be using .014-.059 strings, when it's a well-known fact that you can get better tone using strings with less tension, like .011-.047? It just doesn't make sense.

Glen

[fitness1]

Dependent on the guitar....

[Cue Zephyr]

Originally Posted by scottishrogue

I'm curious why anyone would be using .014-.059 strings, when it's a well-known fact that you can get better tone using strings with less tension, like .011-.047? It just doesn't make sense.

Glen

If it ain't for tuning down, then I have no idea either.

I just tossed the numbers into a calculator and it says G standard might be a little too much. Perhaps F or F# standard are more reasonable.

I'll let y'all know by the time I get around to trying it.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by Cue Zephyr

Howdy folks,

I have a set of 14-59 and I will tune down to Db or C standard on a 25.5" scale (13-56 in E standard). I'm thinking 14-59 might not even be enough but it's all I have.
I wanna try and tune up to F# or G standard with a set of 10-49 on a 23.5" scale (12-53 in E standard).
I'm hoping to achieve a baritone vs. standard tuning-like interaction.

Will this be alright?

Cheers!
CZ

CZ,
My regular flat top, a Flammang L-40 with a standard scale (24.9"), is strung with regular light gauge wound strings (D'Addario EJ-16 set) and medium plains (.017 & .013). I am routinely tuned down to open C (C-G-C-G-C-E) with high action, large frets, and no tuning/intonation problems.

I also retune that set to open G, open G w/low C, open D, dropped D, etc. The only thing that obviously changes is the neck relief.

I don't see any reason that you'd need such a large gauge set of strings in your situation, but the ultimate arbiter of the situation is the bridge being able to handle the overall tension at a given tuning.

HE

HE

[Cue Zephyr]

I'll use a heavy set like that because the guitar has always been strung with mediums for E standard. So if I were to drop that down 3-4 steps, I need to step up the gauges across the board. Now this would be different with open tunings. Most likely, I'll end up with slightly lower tension, even with a heavy (14-59) set when I tune that low.

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

CZ,
My regular flat top, a Flammang L-40 with a standard scale (24.9"), is strung with regular light gauge wound strings (D'Addario EJ-16 set) and medium plains (.017 & .013). I am routinely tuned down to open C (C-G-C-G-C-E) with high action, large frets, and no tuning/intonation problems.

Cranking a plain .017" string up to C, Howard ?

I am in the process of setting up one of my guitars to be permanently in open C ... like you I favor D'Addario EJ16s but I am going to have a .015" as the second string, and nothing lighter than a .056" on the bass E. .053" is a bit on the floppy side tuned down to C, IMO, especially on a 24.9" scale.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by murrmac123

Cranking a plain .017" string up to C, Howard ?

I am in the process of setting up one of my guitars to be permanently in open C ... like you I favor D'Addario EJ16s but I am going to have a .015" as the second string, and nothing lighter than a .056" on the bass E. .053" is a bit on the floppy side tuned down to C, IMO, especially on a 24.9" scale.

Talk is cheap. Here's a video with the actual guitar, strung as described, played live into a mic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YrxRpKiDgM

You're just hearing the PA speakers picked up by the camcorder microphone.

Boom mic, no pickup.

HE

HE