Members KevinTJH Posted February 8, 2013 Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 I just bought myself a Godin Redline 1 (EMG81), which I intend to use it solely for rhythm guitar in the band, in drop C tuning (CGCFAD). I'm used to the 10-52 string gauge for Drop C, however, since this guitar won't be used for any solo-ing at all, I plan to put on a really heavy gauge to achieve that chunky tone. I was thinking of either 11-54 or 12-56. Which would be a better choice from your experience? The last time I used Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (12-56), the 3rd string seemed the resonate a little oddly. I'm not sure why Ernie Ball chose to use 24p instead of a 24w. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mad Tele Posted February 8, 2013 Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 id just go with 12-52. 10-52 are the top half of a 12 set anyway, so it wont feel that much different. Heavier than 12s you may need to file the nut or whatever for very little benefit. I know on Fender saftey posts 52 is about the limit to fit in the hole. Yes heavier strings sound a bit beefier but its not like you cant sound beefy with 8s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted February 8, 2013 Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 Yeah, I use 32 - 52 wounds at E and while they aren't exactly Tele brite, they they don't get snorting dark unless that's the tone they're pushing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KevinTJH Posted February 8, 2013 Author Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've never actually seen 12-52 before. Were you referring to this one? http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3769&productid=28&productname=EJ21_Nickel_Wound__Jazz_Light__12_52 Personally, if I were going to go with gauge 12, i'd prefer the 6th string to be at least 54 or 56. The music store is setting up my guitar for free so I thought I might as well get them to do everything all at once. I've read that most people who use 12-56 end up buying an extra 24w separately. However, that would be a huge hassle for me since I'll have to get them from overseas. I considered getting a 7-string set but the string gauges just seem a little too odd to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted February 8, 2013 Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 I don't think you can really increase the chunk too much by using thicker strings because eventually the added tension gives a little extra brightness as well. To get a heavier sound the easiest way is to tune downward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jpnyc Posted February 8, 2013 Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 honeyiscool wrote: I don't think you can really increase the chunk too much by using thicker strings because eventually the added tension gives a little extra brightness as well. To get a heavier sound the easiest way is to tune downward. It Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KevinTJH Posted February 8, 2013 Author Members Share Posted February 8, 2013 I'm not too keen in swapping out the pickups to be honest, because one of the main reasons I bought the guitar was for the EMG81 pickup. I've got 2 other Drop C guitars both with 10-52. So I figured I might as well try something different with this one. The scale length is 24 3/4 I think. One of my music friends has his ESP guitar tuned to Drop B, and he uses a 7 string set (w/o the first string). It's EXTREMELY tight and sound very chunky, but I've never heard it with a lighter gauge so I wouldn't know if the strings made a difference. Max Calavera is an example of a rhythm guitarist who doesn't play any lead guitar at all (he even removes his 2 treble strings). I think he uses pretty heavy strings as well. So I guess there must be a reason why a pure rhythm guitarist could be inclined to use thicker strings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jpnyc Posted February 9, 2013 Members Share Posted February 9, 2013 KevinTJH wrote: EXTREMELY tight and sound very chunky, but I've never heard it with a lighter gauge so I wouldn't know if the strings made a difference. Heavier strings will do wonders for low-end sound. You can buy six string baritone sets by D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mad Tele Posted February 9, 2013 Members Share Posted February 9, 2013 KevinTJH wrote: I'm not too keen in swapping out the pickups to be honest, because one of the main reasons I bought the guitar was for the EMG81 pickup. I've got 2 other Drop C guitars both with 10-52. So I figured I might as well try something different with this one. The scale length is 24 3/4 I think. One of my music friends has his ESP guitar tuned to Drop B, and he uses a 7 string set (w/o the first string). It's EXTREMELY tight and sound very chunky, but I've never heard it with a lighter gauge so I wouldn't know if the strings made a difference. Max Calavera is an example of a rhythm guitarist who doesn't play any lead guitar at all (he even removes his 2 treble strings). I think he uses pretty heavy strings as well. So I guess there must be a reason why a pure rhythm guitarist could be inclined to use thicker strings? maybe its a feel thing, one can strum harder with heavier strings. Listen to ac/dc mal uses 11s, angus 8s and when they both play rythm there isnt a noticable difference in heaviness or lack of. One thing I figure heavy strings will drive an amp harder, for example with my tweed deluxe I can get the lower strings to distort easier than the unwound ones. tony iommi uses 8s but he also always chooses to play higher up on the neck on a lower string rather than lower on a higher string. for example playing an open A note sounds twangier than playing it 5th fret e string which sounds beefier. I notice the same thing ill play 10th fret B string instead of 5th fret high E because the note sounds more round or full on the B string than high E. so there is something to string size and tone. much to the chagrin of internet people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ugameus Posted February 9, 2013 Members Share Posted February 9, 2013 I use 12 or 13 guage on strat type guitars. I use 14's on a baritone. The reasons I do so are for the feel. Not the tone. However, good feel equals good playing equals good tone. IMO. I have an EQ pedal that requires tweaking the bass knob about 2 mm clockwise to get a chunkier sound. Works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted February 9, 2013 Members Share Posted February 9, 2013 The reason why your friends are using heavier strings is not because they sound chunkier, it's because you're tuning to drop C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *BLEEP* Posted February 9, 2013 Members Share Posted February 9, 2013 KevinTJH wrote: I was thinking of either 11-54 or 12-56. Metal ropes like those will make yer geetar sound like it's a plucked grand piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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