Stings gauge drop D

[Run]

Hi, I'm using Martin Lifespan SP on my Songwriter and I find that singing in drop D tuning makes it easier to sing many songs but using light 11-52 (even after ajusting the neck) induce a lot of buzzing frets; so will using heavier gauge solve the problem and what gauge is the best ?

Thanks.

[songman]

Hi, I'm using Martin Lifespan SP on my Songwriter and I find that singing in drop D tuning makes it easier to sing many songs but using light 11-52 (even after ajusting the neck) induce a lot of buzzing frets; so will using heavier gauge solve the problem and what gauge is the best ?

Thanks.

 

 

Yes definitely. I have my Larrivee D10 tuned to D and use 13's on it. Sounds great, really special tone compared to my E tuned guitars. But have it set up by a luthier for tuning in D. It might require some trussrod adjustment.

[Run]

Yes definitely. I have my Larrivee D10 tuned to D and use 13's on it. Sounds great, really special tone compared to my E tuned guitars. But have it set up by a luthier for tuning in D. It might require some trussrod adjustment.

 

Thanks, do the 5th and 6th strings sound muddier wit that gauge?

[Phelonious Ponk]

Thanks, do the 5th and 6th strings sound muddier wit that gauge?

 

Are you talking about dropping the whole guitar down a full step, or dropped D tuning where just the low E or both Es are dropped to D? If the latter, 12s will do.

 

P

[Run]

I'm talking about dropping the whole guitar a full step down. DGCFAD.

[58 Relic]

Looking at the website that supply my strings I see that you can now purchase string sets calibrated for dropped D tuning ( they have a heavier gauge for the bass strings ) I live in the uk and I use Strings Direct

[58 Relic]

Hi just found these on the website mentioned above . These strings are designed for DADGAD tuning or similar

[songman]

Thanks, do the 5th and 6th strings sound muddier wit that gauge?

 

No, I don't think so. They sound different of course, a little less tight than regular E and A I would call it. On my D10 they actually sound great, a special rich bass sound. I think you really need the thicker gauge if you are going down a whole step. Also the entire string tension will then hardly have changed which is a good thing for the guitar.

[blindboygrunt]

maybe a wee tweak of the truss rod is all you need , if you're going to keep the guitar tuned down

 

Bluesking on here has a couple tuned down a step or two.

I'm sure he'll chip in on this

 

Sometimes have mine down a half a step . It will of course buzz easier than if it's tuned up to standard .but I just don't hit it as hard . If I kept it half a step down all the time then I would give the truss rod a quarter turn , leave it a day or so and see if that worked

 

 

Just to be a smart arse and also to maybe help you get clearer answers , what you're doing is tuning down a whole step , not double drop D . Double drop D is the name given to tuning just the two E strings

[Versatile]

Down tuning is a popular way of easing some songs chord wise...Paul McCartney used 'tone-down' tuning on classics like 'Yesterday'

 

I use it a lot of necessity on 12 strings...usually 3 frets down to C#....mostly without changing string gauge

 

It's all a matter of personal taste...I keep one 6str tuned to C# with D'Addario 11-48's....plays well but has occasional unstable tuning issues

 

Tried using 12-54's for down tuning without success a while back

 

In general IMX down tuning introduces capo issues regarding tuning stability and intonation

 

As mentioned...a guitar used permanently down tuned may benefit from truss rod and other adjustments

 

V

 

[kidblast]

on the other hand....

 

this is one of those times when (with standard tuning) a capo is one of your best friends ever!