Whole Step Down = Higher Gauge String Set?

[aziltz]

I have an acoustic gig next week, and I'm thinking about employing my old Ibanez "beater" guitar for whole step down tuning. It's a smaller body AEG10BK - http://www.ibanez.com/AcousticGuitars/model-AEG10EBK

I usually employ medium-light d'addario's on my Taylor 214e (12-16-24-32-42-53). I've used smaller strings on this AEG10EBK at standard tuning in the past.

Does any one have any suggestions for what to go for in 1 Whole Step down? I'd like to keep the tension similar to that of standard tuning.

Does your gut tell you 12s will suffice, or do I need to go to 13s?

For anyone downtuning like this, what size are you using?


Thanks in advance!

[bsuite]

Personally I would just go with 13's and call it good.

If your ambitious, you could research different string manufactuers and maybe find a set of 12's with a higher string tension.

[paaes335]

I tune my Larrivee a whole step down and love the responsiveness. Makes me feel like I'm playing a psuedo Baritone guitar without the longer scale.

Take a look at GHS Laurence Juber signature strings, true medium gauge.
.13 .17 .24 .32 .42 .56

I've been using them with my low tuned guitar for a couple years now and they've worked out great. I even drop my low D to C, B, and sometimes A.
The strings hold up without getting overly flabby.

[aziltz]

I grabbed 12s and adjusted the trust rod a bit. It's ok at 1/2 step down, but I think I should have tried 13s for 1 full step. I'll give it some time over the weekend before I decide.

on a side note, I played the taylor 8-string baritone the other day. Wow! what an instrument!

[lamenlovinit]

There are 2 issues here. Feel and sound. As to sound, if 12s drive the top enough, the 12s are "fine". As to feel, that depends on how you play, and if you are willing to adjust. It just won't work with some styles tuned 1 step down. On Electric I have a MIM jaguar with a 24 inch scale running 10s (the neck angle and bridge redesign allows that with no buzzing). On my American Jag, I run 12s. I can play the same stuff on both, but obviously more aggressively on the guitar with 12s.

It took a bit to get used to the 10s though. If your guitar sounds good, and you can adjust and are happy with the feel, stick to 12s. Otherwise, next string change 13s. I will say that except for one OM, all my acoustics, and all the acoustics I've ever owned sounded better with 13s at standard tuning, let alone tuned down.

[bsuite]

Originally Posted by aziltz

I grabbed 12s and adjusted the trust rod a bit. It's ok at 1/2 step down, but I think I should have tried 13s for 1 full step. I'll give it some time over the weekend before I decide.

on a side note, I played the taylor 8-string baritone the other day. Wow! what an instrument!

ya, I have 12-56's on one of my electrics and tuned down a whole step.
they work great, but if I drop tune the 6th string to c, it could use a .60

[mannish]

I used to tune down a whole step when I was playing solo acoustic blues cause it was more in my vocal range and used a med gauge - 12s would work but I think I usually use something heavier.....I no longer tune down now that I am better with my vocals.
I never really understood why people tuned down unless it was for vocal reasons..?

[lamenlovinit]

Originally Posted by mannish

I never really understood why people tuned down unless it was for vocal reasons..?

I don't do it myself, but I can think of one good reason:

It's the sound you have in your head.

I'm a spoiled, lucky little beeeeeeeeatch. I gots me a baritone for playing low.

[A440]

I would start with medium gauge (13-56)

[Julia343]

For a while I was having gastric reflux issues an lost some of my upper range. So I went down 1 step on my Gibson. I went to 13s. After the problem subsided, I got my range back and was using a capo on everything. I'm back up in std E and back to 12s. Still using the capo but not as high up on the neck.

I use D'Addario Phosphor Bronze on my J45 in 12-5X. I hate the 80/20s ... too loud in the vocal range.

I have one electric in Drop C that's not there for vocal range. That's my "stoner" guitar, and it also allows me to solo without going up as far on the neck. I just learn the song in a different key, that's all.

[taylorman45156]

I'd agree with going for 13 - 56 here. I tried dropping a full tone on my Taylor using Elixirs 12 - 54 and the overall sound was twangy in the treble, and flabby in the bass notes, and the whole thing was very close to buzzing - fitting D'Addario 13 - 56 worked well and brought the whole thing right for what I wanted.

[ShabbyChic]

One gauge per half step is a good rule of thumb: a half step lowers the tension around 10% and an increase of string gauge usually increases tension about the same. See D'Addario string tension guide to make a judgment on a particular set of strings. See what tension is for a given note, then find the next bigger string which has similar tension at a step down.