A Perfect Circle C# Tuning... Strings Question

[Remy Lebeau]

Hey guys im new here!

My band is using C# tuning like APC does to suit the singers voice better.

Right now I'm using Beefy Slinky 11.-52. strings... wondering if these are heavy enough for the tuning. I know Billy Howerdel uses Ernie Balls but not sure the gauge.


Thanks so much guys!

[DemoColorScheme]

It depends on your preference. I use .010 when tuning to drop C#/Db tuning, though the top string gets rather flubby. With my Gibson SG-X, I use .012 because I tune to B and even with that it can be flubby, but it's doable. I should import some Baritone stringsets from Elixir.

Anyways, I'd recommend the thickest you can find for tuning stability and the least amount of string rattle.

[Remy Lebeau]

I do drop to B much like APC does for judith.... should I go for 12.-56.'s?

[zygoat]

I use 10-52 for CGCGCE on a Fender scale. Not exactly the tuning your talking about but it feels good to me.

[Remy Lebeau]

wow thats pretty low!

i think i remember soundgarden using that tuning.

[Dyingsea]

Originally Posted by Remy Lebeau

I do drop to B much like APC does for judith.... should I go for 12.-56.'s?

All up to you but I like a 60 for B cause I'm a stickler for decent tension.

[Remy Lebeau]

WOW. That's heavy. I'll probably try a guitar with the 12's and see whats what.

[Wolf Child]

Originally Posted by Remy Lebeau

Hey guys im new here!

My band is using C# tuning like APC does to suit the singers voice better.

Right now I'm using Beefy Slinky 11.-52. strings... wondering if these are heavy enough for the tuning. I know Billy Howerdel uses Ernie Balls but not sure the gauge.


Thanks so much guys!

I'm not familiar with APC's tuning. Are you dropping everything down 1 1/2 step? Or are you tuning down 1/2 step and dropping the low E to C#?

I tune down a whole step and drop the low E to C with GHS Boomer LOW .11-.53's. They feel/sound fine without going drastically fat like the .12-.54 or .13-.56 especially if you're handling the solo's.

If you are tuning down 1 1/2 I'd go with .12-.54.

BTW, that's awfully thoughtful of your whole band to tune down to accommodate your singer.

[DemoColorScheme]

Originally Posted by Dyingsea

All up to you but I like a 60 for B cause I'm a stickler for decent tension.

This is the best, yeah. Hence why I want to find a Baritone set or something a little thicker than a regular .012 set.

[Jadedbluesman1]

I use .12s for Eb tuning so if you like it tight and you don't plan on bending strings I'd go with .13s. I also use a plain 3rd but again if aren't going to bend a wound might do wonders for your bottom end.

[Remy Lebeau]

every string is tuned down 1 1/2 steps for a standard tuning. So instead of dropping to D I drop to B.

im probably going to try the 56.'s and see whats what.

[Fuhgawz]

I play in C# with this 011-056 set: http://store.daddario.com/category/3...Bottom_11_-_56 Works perfectly!

[Braunzo]

Pretty sure I've read on more than one occasion that Billy uses the Ernie Ball 12 set. It's a fun tuning, but I just can't bring myself to write in it. I always end up coming back to standard. I'm even afraid to do anything with my baritone, just because I know other people will bitch when if I were to bring a piece to practice.

[Remy Lebeau]

Originally Posted by Braunzo

Pretty sure I've read on more than one occasion that Billy uses the Ernie Ball 12 set. It's a fun tuning, but I just can't bring myself to write in it. I always end up coming back to standard. I'm even afraid to do anything with my baritone, just because I know other people will bitch when if I were to bring a piece to practice.

Any idea where you might have read that boss?

That would mean he uses "not even slinky" 12.-56.

thx!

[SpaceFlunky]

i love thick strings.
For standard tuning i use a set of d'addario .11's.
For 1 whole step down i use d'addario .12's with a wound G.
For 2 steps down i use d'addario .13's with a wound G.