String Gauge

[Nicholas Bane]

Hello everyone.

I have a PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin, and it is time to change the strings for the first time.

It was shipped with PRS Classic 9/42 gauge strings. However, I noticed the sixth string was not holding a "constant note" when tuning to drop D, and the same happened with the other strings when I tuned down to D# Standard or even C# Standard, tunings I know require a higher gauge. I think these strings do just fine for E Standard tuning, though.

I would like to know if there is any limitation I should consider, for example, with respect to the amount of pounds of tension the guitar can naturally take without any risk. I play in E Standard the vast majority of the time, but I often go down to Drop D, D# Standard, and D Standard. I would like to have a string gauge that serves all of those as well as possible.

Thank you all.

 

[KentuckyBoiledChiccan]

IMHO, anyone who plays strings thicker than 8s is a psychopath

 

[vchizzle]

You could use just about anything gauge wise. You may need to widen nut slots and adjust intonation a bit. I’d use 10-52 if you down tune much. Or you could go through Stringjoy strings and do a complete custom set.

 

[RickP]

When you drop tuning below E Standard, you’re loosening tension on the trem springs, and if you don’t adjust for this tuning problems can result. The idea is that the springs on the back of the guitar balance out the tension (pull) of the strings on top. So, dropping as much as a whole tone in tuning dictates some adjustments on spring tension. This is true no matter the string gauge if the guitar is set up for E Standard.

It should, however, be fine for just drop D tuning if it was set up right to begin with. If all this was being done on the original string set, go ahead and swap them for a new set. No telling how long those strings were on the guitar before you got it, and many phantom tuning issues are cured with a new set of good strings. If you like the 9-42s, there’s no reason they can’t cover the drop D, and I’ve used them for 1/2 step down for years with a past band. I’ve not tuned lower than that.

 

[Russ73]

I use 9s personally but if youre switching around tuning you might try 9.5s...they sound great and are a tad stiffer tuned down...but still slinky enough for some easy vibrato...

 

[xxxadixxx]

I use 11-52's for most of my guitars (Tremonti's, 594's, and LP Customs) which are in tuning's other than E-Standard (mainly D-Standard and Drop C). I even have one of LP Customs with 11-52 in E-Standard to have a much tighter pick attack. According to the String Joy tension calculator, 10-46's in E-Standard have the same tension as 11-52's in D-Standard on the same guitar.

In your case where you Seem to be focused on Drop D, D# Standard, and D Standard, a set of 10-52's would likely be the sweet spot and will cause no issues from a tension perspective. The overall tension would be similar to the way most Core guitars ship with 10-46's and it will give you flexibility to play Drop D without having the 6th string too loose.

 

[Prina]

IMHO, anyone who plays strings thicker than 8s is a psychopath

Normal types play 7s in drop C

 

[KentuckyBoiledChiccan]

Normal types play 7s in drop C

I play 11s in Eb

 

[DECEMBERmusic.org]

D'Addario String Tension Pro and Stringjoy Tension Calculator.
Look up what the tension is of your preferred set in E standard, then change the notes and find the gauges that have similar tension in the alternate tuning you're going for. The values are specific to these manufacturers' strings, but they can still give you a good enough idea of the difference between gauges of any strings.
For drop-C @A=432Hz on my PRS 25", I have NYXL
58 42 30 22 17w 12p (Optima gold-plated for the plain), but I like heavier strings, prefer wound strings for every gauge that can be wound, and the drop to 432Hz is the equivalent of another 1/3 of 1 semitone down.
If you like 42-9 for E, you could probably do drop-C or C standard with a 52-11 set.
For drop-D, a 48 would probably be a good gauge that would work at D or E.
The 49-11 set would probably be good for D standard.
If you're switching between E and D or C# with the same strings, it's gonna be a compromise. It'll either feel too loose in the lower tuning or too stiff in the higher tuning.

 

[Nicholas Bane]

Thank you all for your replies.

After reading and researching what you suggested, I am going to get a set of 10/52 gauge strings.