String gauge for drop tuning

[Fragglerick]

What's a good string gauge for drop A and drop B tuning? I use 10's for standard tuning but they're too floppy for drop.
Guitar is mahogany, neck thru, hard tail, 25 1/2" scale.
Thanks!

 

[Metlupass2]

Bass strings

 

[fusedbrain]

I've used 11-52 on a 25 1/2" scale guitar tuned to drop C with good results.
The longer scale length helps.
For drop A and drop B maybe go to 12 - 56 with an unwound G.
Be aware that as you go up in string gauge, you will run into a host of set-up issues with intonation, neck relief and nut slotting.
If you aren't comfortable dealing with this, then best to work with a Luthier to get the guitar dialed in at the tuning you want.
It's also not uncommon to have issues with the bridge not being able to intonate the 50+ gauge strings in the low drop tunings.

Personally, I gave up on low drop tunings on a standard guitar, and bought a 26 1/2 scale length axe designed for this.
Works much better, and the 26 1/2" scale length still feels good.

Hopefully some other guys here have had success with this, and will chime in with tips / suggestions.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

For drop B on 25.5" I like 11-56
For drop A I use 12-60

 

[Nick2027xl]

depends what feel you like. If you use 10s for standard you will want something much heavier than a 60 for drop A. 12-60 i use for C and its a similar feel to 10s in standard.

 

[stratjacket]

Try a string tension chart to match tension. Something like the link below.
You can see a 46 gauge string tuned to standard E at 25.5” scale length has an 18.3 lbs tension.
Drop down to B, and a 60 gauge string has 17.6 lbs tension. So that should feel about the same if you’re used to a 46 gauge in Standard tuning.

https://tension.stringjoy.com/

 

[Rex Rocker]

I normally use 12-56 in Drop C, but I'm trying out Drop B with the same gauge, and it's not too bad. It's around the same tension as 10's in Drop D.

 

[Steinmetzify]

I use 11-56 on 25.5” for drop B, 12-60s for same tuning on my LPs and ESP Viper.

Drop A I’d prob use the same, maybe go up to a 62.

 

[Fragglerick]

Lot's of great info guys, thanks!!
I think I'm gonna start with 12 - 56.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I don't think 56 will make you happy in drop A

I use 11-56 on 25.5” for drop B, 12-60s for same tuning on my LPs and ESP Viper.

Drop A I’d prob use the same, maybe go up to a 62.

^+1 this sounds like a good starting point^

definitely spend time on a string calculator. Plug in what you know you like and then adjust from there to find something for lower tunings

I use custom gauges from stringjoy in dropC:
10.5
18
26
36
54