Why doesn't anyone make strings for drop tunings?

[Potatohead]

Hey guys, first post here.

When I say drop tuning, I mean such as drop D or drop C, where the low E string is two semitones lower then the other five. These tunings are very popular in rock and metal and I am surprised nobody makes these sets.

If you do this with a standard string set, the low E is very floppy compared to the other five. If you use a light top/heavy bottom set, you solve the problem with the low E but now the A and D are much higher tension than the other four strings because they are thicker as well.

Why doesn't EB make a normal 10 - 46 or 11 - 48 set, but switch the low E so it is about .006" thicker (10-13-17-26-36-52 or 11-14-18-28-38-54) which would solve the problem entirely. You can do this by buying individual strings but it costs more and you always have a wasted string.

Any thoughts?

 

[ShaneV]

I was actually just thinking this the other day as I was setting up a guitar dedicated to drop C#. It's not a bad idea.

 

[Potatohead]

It makes more sense to me than the skinny top/heavy bottom sets, but I haven't exactly done any market research on it, either. I guess because they sell singles they would never package it up that way, which is a bit of a bummer. As much as I like EB they don't offer nearly as many gauge combinations as most of the competition, but with that said it's not like the other brands are doing what I am asking about in this thread, either.

 

[DrKev]

It's all a question of cost. The market just isn't large enough, i.e. it's not something that enough people want. If there was a large enough market, all the string manufacturers would be doing it already.

 

[marsguitars]

What about Beefy Slinky? "Optimal for detuning"

11 - 15 - 22p - 30 - 42 - 54

And other brands do similar: Best guitar strings for detuning | Guitar String Guide

But I know what you mean.... you really want the treble strings a little lighter than this?

 

[Potatohead]

What about Beefy Slinky? "Optimal for detuning"

11 - 15 - 22p - 30 - 42 - 54

And other brands do similar: Best guitar strings for detuning | Guitar String Guide

But I know what you mean.... you really want the treble strings a little lighter than this?

That set, to me, is weird. I don't know what tuning they have in mind when they decided on that at all. A medium top/heavy bottom is usually something like 11-15-19-32-44-54/56, so I don't know why the G string is so big, it's going to have really high tension compared to the others, especially considering when using the drop C/drop D tuning, the E string is downtuned compared to the other five, and therefore more slack.

The problem with using a light top/heavy bottom set in these tunings is after all is said and done, the A and D strings are higher tension that the other four and it feels weird, at least to me.

All I am saying is they should make normal string sets, but add like .004 or .006 for the low E so when the low E is tuned down two semitones lower than the other five strings, the tension is still close to the same. If you look at Kerry King's signature Dunlop set, this is what they do (although they include the larger string as a seventh, extra string and not totally replacing the low E).

There are a lot of bands out there using these tunings and I suppose either nobody cares and everybody is using a low E with more slack, or they're buying singles for it. DR does make a set of 11-14-18-28-38-50, which is the closest I have seen to this. It's the same as the EB set but .002 bigger on the low E, but I don't think that's quite enough difference. Probably the reason it's a 50 is perhaps DR does not make a 48, like D'Addario who use a 49.

 

[TNT]

supply and demand - don't blame the manufacturer.

Besides, with so many different string guages out there already, you can come up with any combination to tickle your ears.

 

[Potatohead]

Besides, with so many different string guages out there already, you can come up with any combination to tickle your ears.

Of course... But not for the same price as a standard pack. They already make some more odd combinations, like the LT/HB or hybrids, and charge a touch more, I don't see why this is any different. As soon as one manufacturer pulls the trigger and they sell decently, everyone will do it, but someone has to start the ball rolling. It's not like we're asking for a gauge they don't already make, it's just packaging.

 

[DCStingray]

That's exactly it! Packaging - the cost of introducing a new package would be a large enough investment as it is. I would assume that introduction of a new package involves a lot more costs than most of us are aware of. It's gotta have a quick return on investment to be worth implementing. I'm sure there are tons of production and inventory changes involved which would all involve time, labor, and investment. It's not just as simple as swapping the E string in a pack. However, I do indeed like the idea of a Drop D set involving simply a thicker E string

 

[Darth Tater]

DR DDT's are made for exactly that.
DDT Electric Strings | DR Strings

I still use EB's though

 

[TNT]

Potatoe,

I feel for you!!

However, I bet if you can assemble 10,000 players that want "that" particular set of guages, you'll finally have a factory set of strings!!

Hey, why don't you set up an "on-line" string exchange site?? That way players can trade for the strings they want with other players, and they all keep the price the same!!

 

[Potatohead]

Well, it is what it is.

It just seems odd to me because most string sets as it is, the low E has less tension the the other five, even in your standard plain sets of 9-42, 10-46 and 11-48. When you go into drop D/C#/C etc, this gets even worse.

Ah well, I'll keep buying singles

 

[mcnulty]

I'm running Beefy Slinky (11-54) in regular E-tuning, but also drop-D on my Les Pauls. When I buy the set of Beefies, I also buy a plain .020" string with the set. I toss that .022p away and replace it with .020p. Has been working fine.

Thou... I mainly use Dogal ChromeSteel 11-52 on 25.5" scale guitars.

 

[TNT]

Potatoe,

You need to consider this too: The slack provided in a drop D tuning has many characteristics that have played a part in the "sound, feel and tone" of a very loose E string over the decades.

A more tension oriented string will no doubt cause some issues with many players, others it won't, and for the rest (they'll get used to it).

As for me #2253 9-42 Love em!!! Drop D is pefect!!

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

C and below tunings..I run a 7 string set and pocket the high E for a spare for my other guitars..2 birds with one stone...

 

[DCStingray]

So how do you like having a wound 3rd string on that set?

 

[Potatohead]

Well, FWIW I bought a set of Beefy Slinky's today and threw them on my D std guitar. I swapped the plain 22 on the G string for a 19, and I like the set overall more than the 11-48's in that tuning. I'll probably keep those for Eb though. It works in drop C but I think if I set the guitar up like that permanently I'll go for something like a 58.

 

[BassGojira]

I haven't tried them yet, but I saw a pack of Heavy Core strings at GC the other day. I tune to C standard, so I am looking for something to work for that, I might give them a shot.

 

[straycat113]

I see quite a few post on this issue, and it would not surprise me if a set is released. Though I have never plaid a 7 string and the most I go down is a half step their is enough players out their that if one company got a jump I think it would be worth it, and no better a company than EB to be the first.