String gauge suggestion for my 7 (Drop G#/Ab)

[giwrgos02]

Hey guys, I have recently bought an ESP LTD H-1007 and I want to tune it in Drop G#. It has 25,5'' scale and I want to play mostly progressive stuff like Periphery.

I would be glad if you could suggest some string gauges, since google results' were so chaotic.

Thanks in advance!

 

[stevexc]

There's a huge post in the Beginners/FAQ section with information on string gauges for almost every tuning.

Using a site like stringtensionpro.com or stringulator.com will help you find the various tension levels as well.

What set of strings do you normally use on what scale length in what tuning?

 

[giwrgos02]

Lately, I play mostly in drop C, with 11-56, on 25,5'' scale 6 string, but I'm gonna change the 56 with 59 because I think 56 is kinda loose in C.

 

[stevexc]

Here's what you're playing now, with the inclusion of the .059:

Here's one option that's pretty close to the same tensions:

D'addario makes this set which you could use as well:

It'd be a little heavier, and you'd have a spare .064 string, but it's a stock set and should be relatively easy to get.

Credit to http://www.stringulator.com/ for the calculator.

 

[giwrgos02]

How did you find the 7 string sets that are close to tension with the 6 string set. I was trying to find similar tensions as well, but with the 56 string on C, that I am currently using.

 

[stevexc]

The first 7-string set you'd have to buy singles for. JustStrings and GuitarStringsOnline have good prices. The second one you can buy as a stock set, anywhere that carries D'addario should be able to get them.

 

[RoyceIsNotMyName]

For the record, I found a video in which Misha and Jake said that they play in drop G# with a custom set of D'addario 11-68's

 

[JeffKill]

On my 25.5" Ibanez I use a 11-73 set from Circle K Strings. Works good for both drop G and G#.

 

[TheRileyOBrien]

You don't have to go with completely "balanced tension". It is entirely personal preference. Lately on my 25.5" guitars I have been using a 10-46 set with a 66 or 68 on the 7th.

Fwiw, last I heard periphery use the d'addario 11-52 set with a single 60something on the 7th string. So not really a "custom" set and not perfectly "balanced"

 

[stevexc]

You don't have to go with completely "balanced tension".

+1 to that. "Balanced tension" is a great concept for bass - each string is supposed to sound and feel more-or-less the same. It really doesn't work very well for guitar, though - you rarely want your treble strings to feel the same as your bass strings.

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

Balanced tension is more of a "thing" for wound strings since plain strings have a higher perceived tension. 16 lbs on a plain string feels closer to ~19 lbs on a wound string. I like having 14-15 lbs of tension on my plain strings and 17-20 lbs on wound strings, with my lowest two strings having tension on the lower side of that range.

I use this site to map out what gauges/tunings work for what tension: Hikky Z's String Assembler

And this site for custom sets (great prices, too): D'Addario XL Nickel Wound Guitar Singles & Build your own String Set!

 

[WhoThenNow7]

I like 10-52 with a 70 for drop g# on a 25.5 scale.

 

[xtreme1]

Lol'd cuz I found this thread using my google analytics on stringulator. Thanks for using the site guys.