Les Paul for drop tuning help!

[dk2429]

In a small predicament that I’d like some input on



I just recently joined another pop punk/easycore band that plays primarily in drop B flat. With that said, I need to get one of my guitars setup and strung up for this tuning..



How would a Les Paul play in this tuning considering it’s properly setup and has proper strings (most likely mammoth slinky or whatever 60’s). I also know I’d need to get the nut cut. I’m going to be a rhythm player, so no crazy lead guitar or whatever.



Or… I have a USA Strat that I could put a humbucker and block the trem bridge. I’d really not prefer to, because I do use the Strat in the studio for cleans in my “primary” band. But I do understand that the Strat might handle that low of a tuning a bit more.

99% of the time, I play in drop C#/half step down with 10-52’s with absolutely no issue, but I know going down to B flat is a big jump. So I’m just not sure


Main thing is, how would one of my Les Pauls do? Cause that’s really what I’d prefer to be playing.

 

[gball]

It'll be fine. Better than fine, LPs are probably the best guitars there are for drop tunings.

 

[Azmedian]

Use the 18 tribute

 

[Christosterone]

It'll be fine. Better than fine, LPs are probably the best guitars there are for drop tunings.

this is sacrilege on MLP but I have a studio HP with generation II GForce tuners and LOVE them…

i drop tune all the time on that guitar though mine is to play hawaiian slack key…

anyhow, Les pauls are wonderful in any tuning….I simply love the auto tuning at the touch of a button

-chris

 

[dk2429]

Use the 18 tribute

That’s the one I was planning on using

 

[dk2429]

So would some 12-62’s be a good choice for strings or is that too much?

 

[Shelkonnery]

So would some 12-62’s be a good choice for strings or is that too much?

Yes, that's perfect for Drop A#.
(Which is the convention btw, not "B flat").

What you'll notice going that low is you might have to tweak your amp settings and even feel the need for a new pickup that handles this type of low end with definition and clarity.

You won't regret choosing the Les Paul for this style of music and setup.

 

[Deftone]

Holy crap...Drop B flat? I thought that would only be for Sludge Metal or something like that. I guess I need to get out more.

This guy went to Drop B.....

I have a Digitech Drop pedal...I just use that?

 

[Deftone]

 

[fretout]

So would some 12-62’s be a good choice for strings or is that too much?

What’s funny is I used 10-52s for standard tuning for years…and then went up to a 60!

Nowadays, I can comfortably detune to drop B with just a set of Power Slinky’s (10-48).

 

[dk2429]

Thank y’all for your replies! Makes me feel a bit more comfortable about getting my Tribute setup for this new band. I just didn’t wanna go through the bs of having the nut cut and setup for that tuning with big strings and it not work well

 

[dk2429]

Just wanted to make a little update

I used a string tension calculator. I first put in the tuning/strings I’ve been using in my main band for a few years (drop c# tuning, 10-52)

Then, I put in drop A# with the Mammoth Slinky string gauge. Looks like it’ll be dang near identical in tension with what I’m used to playing

Question as well! I’m gonna take my Tribute to get this done. Is there a nut that I can buy to use for this setup, and keep the original nut that’s on it just in case I want to go back?

 

[Gibsonrocknroll]

I play mostly Led Zeppelin. Ten Years Gone in in drop D tuning. I just tune down the E string to D. I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky's 9-42 gauge.

 

[DECEMBER333111]

I put my Epi LP in drop-C. The stock bridge couldn't intonate all the strings. Saddles don't go back far enough.
You might have to get a Babicz FCH TOM for more range for intonation. Individual string height and intonation adjustments and set screws to push it back from the posts for more range.

 

[turtlemat]

+1 on the digitech drop pedal. Great bit of kit

 

[Gusmc01]

Thought I read somewhere that longer scale is better for drop tunings. If there is some truth to that, the strings on an LP might feel a little "floppy" when tuned that low.

 

[ARandall]

^ You just need a higher gauge on the shorter scale to 'equalise' tension.

 

[aoresteen]

Well, I guess I am going to disagree. I gauge my strings to pull 25 lbs of tension on my armpit guitars. Any less tension and they feel too floppy.

Les Pauls are 24.75" scale length. Strats are 25.5". Shorter scale lengths need bigger strings to pull the same note withe the same tension. So for "Drop Bb" a Strat would work better - in theory. I take it you want to use humbuckers so the proper guitar would be a (drum roll.....) baritone guitar. You are way into the bass register that regular guitars were never designed to play in. A baritone guitar would work much better.

Another problem with using a regular set of strings and tuning them down 3 steps is that the neck has less tension on it and the neck relief setting is lost. Using bigger strings calibrated to pull the same as your standard set keeps the neck relief about where it should be.

Which "Drop Bb" do you mean? Is it E standard (E A D G B E) tuned down 3 steps (Bb Eb Ab Db F Bb)? Or is it Drop D (D A D G B E) tuned down 2 steps (Bb F Bb Eb G C )? I have seen both called "Drop Bb".

For the 6th string to tune to a Bb 1 on a 24.75" to pull a normal 25 lbs you would need to use a 0.080" string which will not fit through your tunner post. On a 28" baritone neck you would need a 0.068" string which will fit your tuner post.

 

[Mockbel]

I would say a Studio would do the job with proper pickups and string gauge…

I tune all my guitars in Standard or Drop D and use this awesome pedal for detune… However I never go beyond one whole step… going further I believe makes the sound more artificial

 

[Deftone]

I gauge my strings to pull 25 lbs of tension on my armpit guitars.

What is an "Armpit Guitar?"