String guages for a G# based tuning

[lunaris]

Hi guys,

So I've joined a band recently that play in C#-F#-B-E-G#-C#. I own a Loomis FR so up until now I've been transposing everything, which has worked fine. However, ideally I'd like to avoid some of the more ridiculous string skips and stretches

Consequently, I'm looking to match up my tuning (or at least some of the open strings). I see two options:

1. Tune the whole guitar up a tone to C#-F#-B-E-A-C#-F#

2. Tune the whole guitar down a tone and a half to G#-C#-F#-B-E-G#-C#

Of the two, 1 seems easier, but I have concerns about the high E moving to F#. If it makes it, can I expect it to hold its tune? Currently its strung with a 0.010. Other than this, should everything else be alright (truss rod, etc, bearing in mind it's a 26.5" scale).

However, the question I'm really interested in is regarding option 2. Is it feasible on a Loomis? I know it's not a massive scale so I'm wondering how muddy it'd be (if it'd even hold tune). Would I need to use a bass string or similar?

Any opinions welcome, thanks for the help

lunaris

 

[Echo]

On my six string i tune to C standard and I use 11-54 guage strings on a 25.5 scale neck and the strings are fairly tight. I would say that something around a 68-70 would be good for the G#.

 

[Winspear]

1. You'll be fine on a 26.5 scale guitar. You will need to step down gauges. D'addario sell down to .007s I think. I'd take a guess at a .007 or .008 set.

2. Once again you'll be fine on a 26.5 scale guitar. In my opinion it's not ideal (bare in mind that I'd prefer a 27" for B standard) but there's plenty of people tuning down to G# on 25.5s. I tune down to A with a .066 and it's fine. I'd try the same gauge. No need for bass strings.

 

[Cheesebuiscut]

I tune to C# standard on my 6 and plan to tune up a whole step when I get an 8 to basically do the same. A .008 will have 14.1 lbs of tension at 26.5" so it should work out dandy, you could go to a .007 but it might be a bit loose I'd say try both see what you like.

You could also do G# without too much of a problem. It is a bit more preferable to have a longer scale for the extreme lows but some guys (tosin abasi for instance) tune their 8 strings with 27" scales to drop E1 without an issue so you should be able to get to G# on a 26.5 just fine. It really depends how you use the string I suppose.

I actually had my 25.5" in F# at one point and it worked out. It wasn't exactly preferable but it worked. I would try the high string personally as it'll be a bit easier to work with for leads etc vs trying to add a low string. When I was planning on going 7 I was gonna tune up a whole step as well for the same reason.

 

[dnoel86]

I use a .70 on a 25.5 inch scale for a G# and it's solid. It's a bass string, but I know you can get guitar strings in .70.

 

[lunaris]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the responses. Well, I went to my local shop and their string selection wasn't as good as I'd hoped. In the end I got a set of "Baritone 6" (which a .72 on the bottom) with an extra high string and a normal 7 string set of 9s. Alas, the .72 wouldn't thread through the machine head (*sigh* what a noob!) so I'll have to order some sets of 70/65 online to see if that works out.

Consequently I'm tuned up half a step to C#-F#-B-E-A-C#-F#. It's undeniably nice -- the high F# has this (probably novel) elegance to it that makes for some nice chords and ringing top ends. However, I'm not sure I like having that tension -- even fiddling with the springs to setup the guitar as nicely as I could it's still giving the bridge a fair old tug. I could look for some lighter guage strings but I'll perhaps try the G# tuning to put my mind at ease

As always, probably being a complete noob here but I'll endeavour to let you know how it pans out.

Thanks again,
lunaris