JP6 BFR - Downtune to C or B standard

[itzhyxithyl]

If i put on 12-54 strings do i need to file the nut?...hmm i dont wanna mess damage the guitar, if i cant i need to get another guitar or use lighter strings....anyone tune down this guitar? what strings could i use..

 

[paranoid70]

When I tune to C# I use 10s, so I don't see why 11s couldn't work for C. But I don't mind the slackness of the strings, especially when playing Black Sabbath. You may prefer something more beefy, personal preferences of course.

I would assume you may need to file the nut a bit to accomodate 12s on a JP, but I am sure someone more knowledgeable than I could answer you for sure.

 

[DrKev]

9s or 10s are obviously no problem. 12s? I'd say have a good tech take a look. A little work may need to be done to ensure the strings don't bind in the nut slots (which would effect tuning stability, particularly with trem use).

 

[Lou]

Yes, the nut on a JP won't be able to handle anything bigger than a 10-46 without getting hung up. You'll have to get the slots widened to accomodate larger string sizes.

 

[Tanax]

Yes, the nut on a JP won't be able to handle anything bigger than a 10-46 without getting hung up. You'll have to get the slots widened to accomodate larger string sizes.

Out of curiousity, how low down would say you can tune with 10s?

 

[koogie2k]

I tune to C using 10-46 all the time. Never an issue with me.

 

[itzhyxithyl]

hmm john uses 12-54 on his 6string guitar tuned in C...?..he had to file the nut too then =)-~ If i do file the nut can i go back to lighter strings if i wanna tune in E standard again...

The Official John Petrucci Web Site

 

[biggestmuff]

If i put on 12-54 strings do i need to file the nut?...hmm i dont wanna mess damage the guitar, if i cant i need to get another guitar or use lighter strings....anyone tune down this guitar? what strings could i use..

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer with tips from JP's guitar tech:
JP6 BFR tuned to C standard; setup tips?

 

[James C]

I've set up my BFR to C standard with 12-54's without filing the nut and I didn't have any issues with it at all.
Though now I play in D standard 11-48's and the slot for the D string did get a little filed down from the thicker string.
Nothing a little bone dust didn't fix though. Now it's back to playing exactly how I want it to.
My call is that you should be fine, though if you're really worried about it don't do it.