Down tuning a HBII

[enfilade]

Hey guys just after a bit of advice. I've got a CE22 currently set up in drop B tuning with 54-11 strings. I'm wondering if it can be done on my HBII or if its recommended? Does anyone have experience in this? thanks in advance

 

[garrettb]

Sure, why not?

There was a brief time I had mine tuned to D standard with 11-49 and it was fine. I would think drop B would be pretty slinky, though.

 

[ViperDoc]

Drop B works great with .012s and a 25 inch scale length.

 

[enfilade]

Thanks guys. Like i said I've been using 11-54's (earnie ball) so you recommend going heavier and the hollowbody should handle it fine?

 

[shinksma]

Thanks guys. Like i said I've been using 11-54's (earnie ball) so you recommend going heavier and the hollowbody should handle it fine?

Well, for my preferences I like a bit of tension on the bass strings when playing, especially in lower-than-standard tunings (because usually I'm trying to "djent" or similar metal riffage, and djenting doesn't work well on floppy strings). For drop B I'd be OK with 11-54s, but I might prefer 12-60 for the piezo pickup on a HB - but if you don't use the piezo pickup much, then 11-54s might be just fine.

I usually have 11-49s (wound 3rd) on my HB, but I recently put on 10-46s as an experiment. I use standard E tuning. I'm not actually certain whether I'm experiencing any negative aspects, other than the pickup signals (both mag and piezo) are a bit lower (about 20%). Certainly easier to play...

As always, YMMV, and strings are fairly cheap to swap out...

 

[solacematt]

It'll play just fine and sound great. I have my HB set up with 11's for standard D tuning, have both E strings tuned down a full step and occasionally tune it down to Drop B and A and it stays in tune very well. It's all about proper setup really.
I'm using my HB for an Alter Bridge cover here and it's holding a low tuning well with no string floppage

 

[shinksma]

It'll play just fine and sound great. I have my HB set up with 11's for standard D tuning, have both E strings tuned down a full step and occasionally tune it down to Drop B and A and it stays in tune very well. It's all about proper setup really.
I'm using my HB for an Alter Bridge cover here and it's holding a low tuning well with no string floppage

That sounds pretty tight indeed! I'm not familiar with Alter Bridge :redface: , so I can't say if it sounds like intended, but it sounds great!

 

[enfilade]

thanks guys.
matt great stuff, cheers