Oh man I remember learning the hard way when I was younger. I attempted to put 10-52's on a guitar that was set up for E standard. You could have shot arrows with that guitar. haha great video Kev!
I love the ernie ball custom gauge nickel wound 11-52 for e standard, either on 24.75 or 25.5 scales, it feels really good for me being a bass player playing guitar. For drop A on 35 scale i play on a .176 and for B Standard at 34 i play 47 63 90 114 158. D standard 50 70 105 135
Totally agree with these suggestions, D'Addario seem to last longest with the only maintenance required just to pinch each string with a cloth and run it up and down the fretboard to clean.
I use 13-70 Cleartone heavy series in C# standard with really high string action on my Gibson V (24.75 scale), feels amazing, super tight, literally no buzz. Anyone that I've handed that thing to told me that it's completely unplayable for them, good.
Damn, that sounds brutal lol. I use a 66 gauge for Drop A on my 28.625” scale, and it took me months to get used to. It’s the equivalent tension of having a 75 on a 25.5” scale for that pitch. Definitely makes your hands/fingers strong as hell.
I use only D’Addario strings for all of my guitars. For standard to drop c I use 11-52. For my guitar that goes from Drop B to B Standard I use 13-56. For my 7 string I use 11-64. I prefer the NYXL over the regular nickel wound. The NYXL are just so damn expensive lol. So I only get those ever so often
Personally when I started playing I used the Ernie ball slinky line 9-42 but when I got older I used 10-46 for standard sometimes when I was in d I jumped up to a 48 but if I needed something for drop b 12-56 If I go down to A 12-68 if I go to baritone levels 13-72 for DROP f the reason I loved em is because of my Floyd ride i would play with Dadario and break strings every other show
@@mxt217 I have a Schecter 6 string. Nothing crazy. All stock equipment. Depending on how often I change tunings and play I just might have to replace the strings more often.
I love floyd Rose guitars and I use 9-46 strings for speed and keep my guitar in E standard. For downtuning I highly recommend the Digitech Drop pedal as you can play almost anything with one guitar and keep your intonation, action, and string resistance consistent. Also saves money from having to buy more guitars for each tuning and a whack of time setting them up lol
I've had a Helix LT for about a year now, and the poly pitch feature was a huge selling point for me. I've foregone learning certain bands songs because they didn't tune to E or E flat standard and I only had a few guitars. Now I can change the tuning in seconds and it's amazing. But now I need to learn all those songs I missed out on.
Thank you so much!!! Very informative well said. I have been rattling my brain over this topic.. thank you !!!! Very very impressive. Thanks for making this video
I’ve been using Ernie Ball Paradigm 11-54 for C# Standard on my Schecter SLS Evil Twin. It’s got just enough give to where it doesn’t feel like I’m having to exert a lot of force whenever I pick, but they also don’t feel like wet noodles either. It’s a perfect pairing of give and tension.
D'Addario strings are the way to go!!! I've been using those strings since I was like 16 or 17. I'm 41 now, and I've never found a string company so consistent with their different gauges. I use they extra heavy gauge D'Addario's now on my Les Paul, .12 to .60. Granted, I had to file down the nut on the low E to get it to fit I usually tune to D standard, but they sound boss!
Awesome video dude. I play in different tunings on my three guitars and here's the gauges I use: E Standard/Drop D - 10-46 Drop C - 11-52 Drop A 7 string - 10-46 + a 56 I use Ernie Ball's
thank you for this MUCH NEEDED video this is exactly what I needed right now I'm changing some things up on some of my guitars and wasn't to use some lower tunings
Thanks for this video! I used to use blu steels back in the day too. I just bought some stringjoys as well but haven’t put em on yet. I got the 11-70 7-string for tuning G# standard. Having tuning stability issues with my current 9-62.
I use 12-60 for C Standard down to Drop A#. D'Addario Extra Heavy. I really want to try the La Bella Drop Tune DT-13, which are a 13-60 set. How do you feel about 12-54 vs the extra heavy 12-60? Have you compared them on the same guitar with the same tuning? I'm feeling like the Extra Heavy's are not as balanced as I would like them to feel, and wondering if the 12-54 might be a solution to that problem.
Depends on what you mean by "balanced" - is it the top that has too much tension compared to the bottom, or are there weird tension discrepancies in the middle? I've tried those 12-60 you're mentioning and they weren't too bad, but the plain 3rd didn't feel great. My go-to for B or C standard are the D'addario EXL158 (13-62) because of how balanced they feel across the board.
I always use Ernie Ball Slinky strings 10-56 on my solar 1.7frc and 10-52 in d standard on my 6 string. I have tried every string company and saw that Ernie Balls lasted the longest and felt the best.
I only use Elixir Strings and Treated DR strings for the heavy gauges because for some reason my hand sweat/oil is just corrosive to any untreated strings. A set of untreated Ernie Balls are just completely unplayable and rusted out within 2- 3 weeks. Elixirs last me like 8-9 months before they need changing and that’s with playing everyday. On my standard E/Half Step Down guitar I use 10-46. On my D Standard I use 10-52 and my Drop C Drop B guitar i use 12-58.
Have you ever tried the Ernie Ball Cobalts? I tried them when they first came out and my jaw dropped at how awesome the sounded. Been using them ever since. They are notably brighter and have a more lively feel. They maintain that “new” feel longer than any other uncoated strings I’ve used. They have a bit looser feel, so you may want to jump up a gauge to have the same tension for the super-heavy riffing you do. Give them a try sometime.......I think you’ll like them.
For my main axe I use those 7 string power slinky's you showed in the vid, leaving the middle string out and got it set up in C# with a custom floyd setup. works really well for me, got some taking used to for a while but I'm gonna stick with this for a long time probably. I tried the cobalt version as well, pretty decent too but I'm not sure if they're worth the extra cash.
I love that you bring up the scale length thing at the end. People get crazy about that. I play a baritone because I just like the feel. But plenty of bands have been tuning down on 25.5 inch scale lengths. I know they are not death metal, but my favorite band is Sevendust. They have tunings down in G# and G and they play 25.5 inch guitars. Works great for them.
My all time favourite strings are definitely... D‘Addario, Ernie Ball, Dunlop, Fender, Rotosound!!! Especially D‘Addario and Ernie Ball, they just give an extremely sickening brutal sound that delivers to the ears perfectly!!!! Dunlop is awesome for high pitched Metal playing I'd say! 🤘🤘
I personally use GHS Boomer light string 9's and Jimi Hendrix extra light custom 10's. You can mix match your string settings also. I like your channel. I just started playing again. I started a UA-cam Channel. I'm in the process of setting up my Recording/Practice Studio. Keep up all the great work.
Proof anything is possible. I like light strings with flub, it has a certain tone and attack, especially for Metal. When I tune down to A, I like a 54/56
I actually first started with D’Addario strings (I actually just put in a 11-48 on my Charvel). I really love using Cleartone though. To me the Cleartone feel and sound excellent. Kevin, please check out Swiss picks (They are out if California)! They’re sharp cheddar’s are like a cross between a classic Dunlop and a Jazz III, but with bad ass grip. They really are sweet.
The pro steels are amazing... bass player myself and i personally used the tapered 127 - 43 for a while but for bending purposes i went to the d'addario 125 - 40 NPS for playing some old school metallica especially pieces like anesthesia, orion, etc.
What do you think about Elixir strings? I always have great sound with Elixir on my acoustic. Curious on anyone’s opinion on Elixir electric guitar strings
I love Stringjoy. I play a PRS baritone in a weird F# tuning, and the custom string set is awesome. I can also tune my bass down and use Stringjoy, because they have a .165 bass string available. Pretty cool.
Also, I had an RG8 with 10-85 but was so uncomfortable, medium action but sounded great and tight. Sold it. my ESP B8 has stringjoy 10-72 and I also use it to drop my F to E! Serious playability and comfort with low action. That .085 was great for digging in to stay tight but sacred clarity in the higher end of the low string of that makes sense. That .085 was just ridiculous.
Excellent video. I mostly stay in standard tuning but will tune down to D (not Drop D) now and then. I prefer Ernie Ball 9 and 10s, sometimes a Hybrid set. I prefer their Cobalts because they are bright enough without being harsh and break in easily and stay in tune and they are strong enough for my playing. D'Addario XL's are my backup brand. I used GHS for much of the 80s but tired of them when they kept breaking and corroding really fast. D'Addario's lasted longer and I switched to those or some obscure European brands like Maximus Gold strings from Germany. I also liked Dean Markley's Blue Steels till I noticed they got kind of slack and twangy on the low strings. I started playing guitar around 1985 and was very influenced by EVH, Lynch, Demartini, and a lot of fusion players like Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, etc. My challenge was to find strings that sounded equally good for rhythm as lead. I went through a real rabbit hole with pickups but generally like DiMarzios. As for Duncans I prefer their actives to EMGs. Blackouts are absolutely brutal, particularly the ceramics like the Mick Thompson set. When it comes to metal I say go for ceramics because they offer maximal thrust and impact. Strings and pickups have a particular symbiosis, so I often think of how they work together. I had an EMG set on a Schecter a while back and came to realize that bright strings worked best with that set.
I just put Ernie Ball's Mammoth Slinkys (62-12 with a wound G string) on a fender scale, works good for B Standard tuning. The Not Even Slinky (11-56) works for C but runs into intonation problems at B tuning.
I play guitar for 15 years and 14 of those years I've been playing D'Addario 46-10 strings and 52-10, I got guitar with Ernie Ball strings on and that's the only time I played other strings, they were ok, almost as great as D'Addario, but D'Addario just seem to last longer, so the first time I changed strings on that guitar I stringed it with D'Addario. Just the best strings in my opinion.
Ridiculous. I don’t care what people say, that is NOT nice or fun to play. Guaranteed carpal tunnel, and I bet a 64 tuned that high has absolutely no articulation or balance.
Just have the same set of stringjoys waiting in the drawer. I have a bass .90 string as a lowest one. It fitted through the tuner barely, too bad they don't take that in to account. Looking forward on changing the tuners. I think that definitely with 8-strings you should go at least .80 gauge or thicker for lowest strings depending on the scale.
Years ago I used Dean Marley strings but they disappeared off the market. Very good sounding strings. So after trying different makes, now use 'addarios. One thing that has been noticed is this, the bottom string thicker than a 0.54 tends to go very floppy when tuned lower than C std.This is because the core wire is the same thickness but the windings are thicker. Should be the other way around. Dunlop strings make a few sets with heavy core wound strings especially for down tuning. I understand that Cannibal Corpse use these when playing live, 13-56 set for A# std tuning.
I was having similar problems with strings and companies till I found the cobalts from EB. I absolutely love those strings!! I use them on all my 7s, and 6s. 6s are in drop b, and I use the 12-56 cobalts and my 7s I use 26.5 scale I use 9-58 fir drop A and 25.5 I’ll use 10-62 but I have my rev headstock 25.5’s with 10-58 also in drop A and it works perfect. It’s all about feel. But ya I love those strings, but your right ghs are just terrible. 8 string I used the super bright dunlops and they were actually really good.
Nice, I love Stringjoy and I use their custom Gauges for my 8 string in the same tuning. I currently use 9-12-15-26-36-46-64-85 for Drop EA and Drop E, but next restring I'll try 9-12-15-26-36-48-68-90.
I use a custom 12 - 76 (12, 16, 24w, 34, 48, 76) on a single 6 string 25.5 scale guitar for anything from Drop C# down to a Low alternate GGCFGD octave tuning, which is similar to Drop C but with the Low E string tuned to G and B string tuned Down to G also. though I primarily use them for Drop C, Drop B, Drop A#. I love the beefiness of the 76 for Drop C - A#... it actually feels like I'm playing a guitar and not strumming a noodle, I can beat the strings like crazy and it still stay's in tune and doesn't go too sharp on the attack. I tried the recommended 62, but it just felt too flimsy... I like really Tight Low strings weirdly... I've had no issues with the Neck warping or intonation issues with all my changing of tunings and string tension across my guitar so I don't adjust my trussrod... I set up my intonation and string action while in Drop B a few months back and I don't know... just never been something I've personally faced issues with, intonation sounds great in all the tunings I use without having to adjust it.
Bro, I haven't even watched the video yet, but I gotta say...Damn dude! You take that thumbnail right after a work out or what? You looking fucking jacked, son. Dang bro.
D'addario EXL115BT (11-50) or EXL116 (11-52) are my preference for that kind of tuning. I tried that Ernie Ball 11-54 set and didn't like it because of the plain 22 it uses for the 3rd.
@@Kasketthrash I mean the gauge of the 3rd string is .022" (the package denotes it as 22p), and on a shorter scale guitar thick plain strings don't feel super nice to play to me. It is also a little bit too much tension compared to the rest of the set. You should try them anyway though, everyone's hands and preferences are different.
I'm curious about what string gauge you use for your bass in drop C. Also, what should be a good string height at the 12th fret for this tuning. I use D'addario 120 - 50 set, they feel quite good.
11s in drop A is my go to for brutal death metal / grind, for my other genres like black metal i stick to c standard with 11s, tempted to move to 12s for the really low stuff. however i don't wanna mess with my string nut
I'm not too fussy about string brands, but I am really particular about the gauges, and D'addario usually have the gauges that I like. My favorite tuning is B standard, so I use the D'addario EXL158 (13-62) for that, but I've also experimented with the Ernie Ball 2214 "Mammoth Slinky" (12-62). They are basically the exact same tension as a 10-46 set in E standard (bit lighter on the 1st in the case of the Ernie Balls), and they have a wound 3rd, which I love.
Im Wondering if you know what bass string guage could work for both C# standard and standard A tuning. Im fine if C# is tight and A is a standard feel.
It's good to have low action but not too much when it notes start fading out I dont care for measuring it's the sound and feel when I adjust the saddle to neck
I’m in C# standard on my 7 string and my low G# feels loose. I’m using 11-52 guage strings with a low 62, should I move to a 64 or 68, or possibly a 70?
Daddario makes regular XLs in the 11-56 gauge fyi way before they came out with nyxl. 13-56 seems a bit much for essentially c# standard on the first 5 strings other than the low b. Especially is you like 12-54 in b standard which would be way less tension. I use 10-52 down a half step on a Gibson scale and 11-52 in d standard on fender scale.
The correct way to go definitely is: 1. E Standard - 10-46 2. D Standard - 10-52 Cannot say anything about other tunings because I have only 2 guitars. :D
I use the D'addario 12-54 but I would like to try the Ernie Ball 12-56 only I don't know if they can handle the standard Eb tuning when I want to play high tuned songs. Do you think I can play Eb tuning with 12-56?
Hey Kevin, love the content brother. I'm a 42 year old metalhead and I watch all your stuff. I doubt you'll see this but I have a question. I just got a dean from hell. My 1st Floyd guitar. It came with 9's and I want to change it to 10's. I'll like tens for classic metal. Anyway, I need to know if I'll have to make any adjustments to the Floyd, going from 9 to 10's? I set up and mod all my stuff, but I'm a dumbass concerning Floyd guitars.
If you're sticking with the same tuning the 10s will make the bridge higher then the 9s. Depending on where it was with the 9s you may need to tighten the springs in the back of the guitar a bit to compensate. Bridge just needs to be straight.
@@davidfisher5022 ok. So, to be clear, I may have to turn the screws in a bit on the "claw"? That's what I assumed, but I'd rather make sure. If I get it out of whack, I'm screwed. Lol. Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.
Hmm what strings would you recommend for my Washburn dime333 and my bc rich kerry king v 😢 please help im a newbie and dont know wtf im doing lol thanks
Open B tuning is godly for metal. B F# B F# B D# Alternatively you can drop it down further and use A E A E A C# Basically the drop tuning shape across the whole fretboard.
Thanks, I tried it and it's amazing. The diminished shape on the lowest 3 strings turns into minor when you just move it up one string, which provides everything you need basically
@@K_R_N. It's good fun to noodle around with. If you don't want it tuned so low, you can go with C G C G C E for a more stable tuning, that's the one I'm using the most these days.
It cool 2 have diff sound .depth diff Axes tuning .... like experimental tapping n2 untapped areas.((((..R.i.p. JeFF H...🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🥘🍻👀🎸🤬😹💪😆💀💨😠🥁
What do you guys think what would be the good gauge for E standard tuning but the low E is dropped to B. I usually run 10s for standard tuning but the low E is way too floppy. 54-56 maybe ? 25.5 and 24.75 scale lenght. Thanks !
for the other strings, i guess use 009s or 010s. for the 24.75 scale use a 060 gauge for the low b string. for the 25.5 scale use like 056/058 for the low b string.
As soon as I hear that slamming brutal angry guitar tone, it's like a Demon waking up inside of You, whispering... "Let Your hatred out!". Dude, You're fucking getting better every time, man! 🤘🤘🏴🇺🇸
Hope you all had a great weekend and are experiencing the same for your Sunday!
Yeah man metal as fuck hope everything is going good for you🤘🏼
Kevin, you ever try using v picks? Or making your own plexiglass picks? I went to them and never went back.
Hey Kevin I'm 22yrs playing bass and I use only D'Addario strings ...love your content brother
Modern Metal with active pickups go with the Elixir strings!
Old school Metal with passive pickups go with Ernie Ball strings!
thx dude
Oh man I remember learning the hard way when I was younger. I attempted to put 10-52's on a guitar that was set up for E standard. You could have shot arrows with that guitar. haha great video Kev!
I love the ernie ball custom gauge nickel wound 11-52 for e standard, either on 24.75 or 25.5 scales, it feels really good for me being a bass player playing guitar. For drop A on 35 scale i play on a .176 and for B Standard at 34 i play 47 63 90 114 158. D standard 50 70 105 135
I find 10-52 perfect for Eb Standard or Drop D. It gets a bit floppy with Drop C# but I'd still use it.
I got baby hands
11-48 Ernie ball power slinky is what I enjoy the best for rock metal
@@BigMacSoss he only did that on one or two shows because he couldn't find a replacement high string, he typically played 11 gauge strings
You obviously never played guitar before...10 to 52 arent that heavy. Only the e a d are kinda heavy but still not that heavy...52 isnt heavy
Totally agree with these suggestions, D'Addario seem to last longest with the only maintenance required just to pinch each string with a cloth and run it up and down the fretboard to clean.
I use 13-70 Cleartone heavy series in C# standard with really high string action on my Gibson V (24.75 scale), feels amazing, super tight, literally no buzz. Anyone that I've handed that thing to told me that it's completely unplayable for them, good.
Getting some sociopathic vibes here…..
@@reducedtoatoms3973 me too
Damn, that sounds brutal lol. I use a 66 gauge for Drop A on my 28.625” scale, and it took me months to get used to. It’s the equivalent tension of having a 75 on a 25.5” scale for that pitch. Definitely makes your hands/fingers strong as hell.
70… dayum homie. Let’er rip.
Isn't it a little too tight for C#? How doesn't your neck snap?
I use only D’Addario strings for all of my guitars. For standard to drop c I use 11-52. For my guitar that goes from Drop B to B Standard I use 13-56. For my 7 string I use 11-64. I prefer the NYXL over the regular nickel wound. The NYXL are just so damn expensive lol. So I only get those ever so often
Yea fr nyxl last so long for me, idk if he got a dud set or what but I like them
Personally when I started playing I used the Ernie ball slinky line 9-42 but when I got older I used 10-46 for standard sometimes when I was in d I jumped up to a 48 but if I needed something for drop b 12-56 If I go down to A 12-68 if I go to baritone levels 13-72 for DROP f the reason I loved em is because of my Floyd ride i would play with Dadario and break strings every other show
what guitar do u have to to go from standard to drop c? does it hold the pitches correctly.
@@mxt217 I have a Schecter 6 string. Nothing crazy. All stock equipment. Depending on how often I change tunings and play I just might have to replace the strings more often.
I love floyd Rose guitars and I use 9-46 strings for speed and keep my guitar in E standard. For downtuning I highly recommend the Digitech Drop pedal as you can play almost anything with one guitar and keep your intonation, action, and string resistance consistent. Also saves money from having to buy more guitars for each tuning and a whack of time setting them up lol
The same, I need only 2 guitars one standard E, and one drop D, and I just let Digitech Drop pedal do the rest. Best purchase ever.
I've had a Helix LT for about a year now, and the poly pitch feature was a huge selling point for me. I've foregone learning certain bands songs because they didn't tune to E or E flat standard and I only had a few guitars. Now I can change the tuning in seconds and it's amazing. But now I need to learn all those songs I missed out on.
Every tuning needs to have the right string tension.
Thank you so much!!! Very informative well said. I have been rattling my brain over this topic.. thank you !!!!
Very very impressive.
Thanks for making this video
I’ve been using Ernie Ball Paradigm 11-54 for C# Standard on my Schecter SLS Evil Twin. It’s got just enough give to where it doesn’t feel like I’m having to exert a lot of force whenever I pick, but they also don’t feel like wet noodles either. It’s a perfect pairing of give and tension.
As a new metal player, i really appreciate your videos Kev. THANK YOU! \m/
D'Addario strings are the way to go!!! I've been using those strings since I was like 16 or 17. I'm 41 now, and I've never found a string company so consistent with their different gauges. I use they extra heavy gauge D'Addario's now on my Les Paul, .12 to .60. Granted, I had to file down the nut on the low E to get it to fit I usually tune to D standard, but they sound boss!
Awesome video dude. I play in different tunings on my three guitars and here's the gauges I use:
E Standard/Drop D - 10-46
Drop C - 11-52
Drop A 7 string - 10-46 + a 56
I use Ernie Ball's
Nickel or slinky strings? (for the E standard/Drop D Ernie Ball Strings?)
thank you for this MUCH NEEDED video
this is exactly what I needed right now
I'm changing some things up on some of my guitars and wasn't to use some lower tunings
Nice Unmerciful shirt man! It's great to see you showing some love to Kansas City!
Thanks for this video! I used to use blu steels back in the day too. I just bought some stringjoys as well but haven’t put em on yet. I got the 11-70 7-string for tuning G# standard. Having tuning stability issues with my current 9-62.
Thanks for the great content
I use 12-60 for C Standard down to Drop A#. D'Addario Extra Heavy. I really want to try the La Bella Drop Tune DT-13, which are a 13-60 set.
How do you feel about 12-54 vs the extra heavy 12-60? Have you compared them on the same guitar with the same tuning? I'm feeling like the Extra Heavy's are not as balanced as I would like them to feel, and wondering if the 12-54 might be a solution to that problem.
Depends on what you mean by "balanced" - is it the top that has too much tension compared to the bottom, or are there weird tension discrepancies in the middle? I've tried those 12-60 you're mentioning and they weren't too bad, but the plain 3rd didn't feel great. My go-to for B or C standard are the D'addario EXL158 (13-62) because of how balanced they feel across the board.
I use LA Bella 11 - 70 for my 7 strong in drop A, best strings I've ever used.
D'addario string is my favorite too. It's so natural for me.
Yes they are the best love em
Kevin frasard needs to go live on twitch
Same strings I use 🤘🏻💯
They're just the greatest!
@@KevinFrasard my favorite brand now for 30 years playing...stay Brutal my friend!!! \\m//
Such a great video sir. Its nice just to hear what other people do and use. Thanks for the details!
If you have intonation problems. Check the nut first. Might need to be filed down if you changed to heavier strings.
I always use Ernie Ball Slinky strings 10-56 on my solar 1.7frc and 10-52 in d standard on my 6 string. I have tried every string company and saw that Ernie Balls lasted the longest and felt the best.
I only use Elixir Strings and Treated DR strings for the heavy gauges because for some reason my hand sweat/oil is just corrosive to any untreated strings. A set of untreated Ernie Balls are just completely unplayable and rusted out within 2- 3 weeks. Elixirs last me like 8-9 months before they need changing and that’s with playing everyday. On my standard E/Half Step Down guitar I use 10-46. On my D Standard I use 10-52 and my Drop C Drop B guitar i use 12-58.
Have you ever tried the Ernie Ball Cobalts? I tried them when they first came out and my jaw dropped at how awesome the sounded. Been using them ever since. They are notably brighter and have a more lively feel. They maintain that “new” feel longer than any other uncoated strings I’ve used. They have a bit looser feel, so you may want to jump up a gauge to have the same tension for the super-heavy riffing you do. Give them a try sometime.......I think you’ll like them.
For my main axe I use those 7 string power slinky's you showed in the vid, leaving the middle string out and got it set up in C# with a custom floyd setup. works really well for me, got some taking used to for a while but I'm gonna stick with this for a long time probably. I tried the cobalt version as well, pretty decent too but I'm not sure if they're worth the extra cash.
I love that you bring up the scale length thing at the end. People get crazy about that. I play a baritone because I just like the feel. But plenty of bands have been tuning down on 25.5 inch scale lengths. I know they are not death metal, but my favorite band is Sevendust. They have tunings down in G# and G and they play 25.5 inch guitars. Works great for them.
DR 10 gauge is my go to string. Only do standard E and E flat now. When I had a BC Rich Warlock tuned B to B I used 12's on that one.
My all time favourite strings are definitely... D‘Addario, Ernie Ball, Dunlop, Fender, Rotosound!!!
Especially D‘Addario and Ernie Ball, they just give an extremely sickening brutal sound that delivers to the ears perfectly!!!!
Dunlop is awesome for high pitched Metal playing I'd say! 🤘🤘
There's not many string manufacturers you've left out of that list.
DR
I personally use GHS Boomer light string 9's and Jimi Hendrix extra light custom 10's. You can mix match your string settings also. I like your channel. I just started playing again. I started a UA-cam Channel. I'm in the process of setting up my Recording/Practice Studio. Keep up all the great work.
Thanks Kevin! Do you play baritones and if so what strings do you use?
Going to be saving this one in the useful playlist . Thanks Kev 👍
This dude is a ridiculously metal lookin dude. I can only aspire to be this metal 😂
I had a guitar with 9s on it from the factory and I had it set up to C standard for a while
Proof anything is possible. I like light strings with flub, it has a certain tone and attack, especially for Metal. When I tune down to A, I like a 54/56
@ a year after my first comment and now I use 12-62 strings and tune to A# lol
I actually first started with D’Addario strings (I actually just put in a 11-48 on my Charvel). I really love using Cleartone though. To me the Cleartone feel and sound excellent.
Kevin, please check out Swiss picks (They are out if California)! They’re sharp cheddar’s are like a cross between a classic Dunlop and a Jazz III, but with bad ass grip. They really are sweet.
What tuning, 25.5 scale length? They are for Eb on a fender scske length rite? Do you play bluesy Stoner Rock?
I like DR Strings a lot, been using them ever since I saw Dimebag used them. They're really nice for a fair price.
The pro steels are amazing... bass player myself and i personally used the tapered 127 - 43 for a while but for bending purposes i went to the d'addario 125 - 40 NPS for playing some old school metallica especially pieces like anesthesia, orion, etc.
What do you think about Elixir strings? I always have great sound with Elixir on my acoustic. Curious on anyone’s opinion on Elixir electric guitar strings
Same af
I love Stringjoy. I play a PRS baritone in a weird F# tuning, and the custom string set is awesome. I can also tune my bass down and use Stringjoy, because they have a .165 bass string available. Pretty cool.
I have a prs baritone too. Did you swap out pickups?? I don’t like their stock pick ups at all
Also, I had an RG8 with 10-85 but was so uncomfortable, medium action but sounded great and tight. Sold it. my ESP B8 has stringjoy 10-72 and I also use it to drop my F to E! Serious playability and comfort with low action. That .085 was great for digging in to stay tight but sacred clarity in the higher end of the low string of that makes sense. That .085 was just ridiculous.
For E to D standard, I use D'addario 11-56, but I replace the 56 with a 54. I use Dunlop Max Grip 1mm picks.
Have you done a guitar collection video?
Daddario 9-46 / 10-52 has been my favorite choice
Excellent video. I mostly stay in standard tuning but will tune down to D (not Drop D) now and then. I prefer Ernie Ball 9 and 10s, sometimes a Hybrid set. I prefer their Cobalts because they are bright enough without being harsh and break in easily and stay in tune and they are strong enough for my playing. D'Addario XL's are my backup brand. I used GHS for much of the 80s but tired of them when they kept breaking and corroding really fast. D'Addario's lasted longer and I switched to those or some obscure European brands like Maximus Gold strings from Germany. I also liked Dean Markley's Blue Steels till I noticed they got kind of slack and twangy on the low strings. I started playing guitar around 1985 and was very influenced by EVH, Lynch, Demartini, and a lot of fusion players like Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, etc. My challenge was to find strings that sounded equally good for rhythm as lead. I went through a real rabbit hole with pickups but generally like DiMarzios. As for Duncans I prefer their actives to EMGs. Blackouts are absolutely brutal, particularly the ceramics like the Mick Thompson set. When it comes to metal I say go for ceramics because they offer maximal thrust and impact. Strings and pickups have a particular symbiosis, so I often think of how they work together. I had an EMG set on a Schecter a while back and came to realize that bright strings worked best with that set.
yessssssss keep them coming brother your vids are awesome
I just put Ernie Ball's Mammoth Slinkys (62-12 with a wound G string) on a fender scale, works good for B Standard tuning.
The Not Even Slinky (11-56) works for C but runs into intonation problems at B tuning.
I play guitar for 15 years and 14 of those years I've been playing D'Addario 46-10 strings and 52-10, I got guitar with Ernie Ball strings on and that's the only time I played other strings, they were ok, almost as great as D'Addario, but D'Addario just seem to last longer, so the first time I changed strings on that guitar I stringed it with D'Addario. Just the best strings in my opinion.
Ordered these strings, they are great!
Late to the party, but as a bass player I really like 12-64 for eb standard/drop c# on guitar. Feels tight and precise.
that's really tight! Some people uss a 64 for drop A
Ridiculous. I don’t care what people say, that is NOT nice or fun to play. Guaranteed carpal tunnel, and I bet a 64 tuned that high has absolutely no articulation or balance.
Good vid, more accurate to me as to other vids.
Just subbed to your channel much love from Iowa dude
Just have the same set of stringjoys waiting in the drawer. I have a bass .90 string as a lowest one. It fitted through the tuner barely, too bad they don't take that in to account. Looking forward on changing the tuners. I think that definitely with 8-strings you should go at least .80 gauge or thicker for lowest strings depending on the scale.
I use Ernie Ball strings. Super Slinky for E standard. Burly Slinky for C standard. Mammoth Slinky for Drop B.
Awesome vid man. What would you recommend for a esp sct607b baritone tuned to A standard?
Are those your songs playing in the background, and can you give a tour of your basses and style with basses?
Years ago I used Dean Marley strings but they disappeared off the market. Very good sounding strings. So after trying different makes, now use 'addarios. One thing that has been noticed is this, the bottom string thicker than a 0.54 tends to go very floppy when tuned lower than C std.This is because the core wire is the same thickness but the windings are thicker. Should be the other way around. Dunlop strings make a few sets with heavy core wound strings especially for down tuning. I understand that Cannibal Corpse use these when playing live, 13-56 set for A# std tuning.
I was having similar problems with strings and companies till I found the cobalts from EB. I absolutely love those strings!! I use them on all my 7s, and 6s. 6s are in drop b, and I use the 12-56 cobalts and my 7s I use 26.5 scale I use 9-58 fir drop A and 25.5 I’ll use 10-62 but I have my rev headstock 25.5’s with 10-58 also in drop A and it works perfect. It’s all about feel. But ya I love those strings, but your right ghs are just terrible. 8 string I used the super bright dunlops and they were actually really good.
Nice, I love Stringjoy and I use their custom Gauges for my 8 string in the same tuning. I currently use 9-12-15-26-36-46-64-85 for Drop EA and Drop E, but next restring I'll try 9-12-15-26-36-48-68-90.
Whats your recommendation for B-standart (six strings) tuning?
Would you ever consider putting some tabs for some of your songs?
I use a custom 12 - 76 (12, 16, 24w, 34, 48, 76) on a single 6 string 25.5 scale guitar for anything from Drop C# down to a Low alternate GGCFGD octave tuning, which is similar to Drop C but with the Low E string tuned to G and B string tuned Down to G also. though I primarily use them for Drop C, Drop B, Drop A#. I love the beefiness of the 76 for Drop C - A#... it actually feels like I'm playing a guitar and not strumming a noodle, I can beat the strings like crazy and it still stay's in tune and doesn't go too sharp on the attack. I tried the recommended 62, but it just felt too flimsy... I like really Tight Low strings
weirdly... I've had no issues with the Neck warping or intonation issues with all my changing of tunings and string tension across my guitar so I don't adjust my trussrod... I set up my intonation and string action while in Drop B a few months back and I don't know... just never been something I've personally faced issues with, intonation sounds great in all the tunings I use without having to adjust it.
Have you considered trying out the Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinkys?
I use ernie ball beefy slinks for d standard
Bro, I haven't even watched the video yet, but I gotta say...Damn dude! You take that thumbnail right after a work out or what? You looking fucking jacked, son. Dang bro.
What strings do you recommend for c# standard on a gibson scale length? Because I just bought 11 to 54 ernie balls for my new dean coming in
i use 11-54 for c# and 11-60 for drop c, feels good in my charvel sk (gibson scale)
12-60 for anything below C Standard.
D'addario EXL115BT (11-50) or EXL116 (11-52) are my preference for that kind of tuning. I tried that Ernie Ball 11-54 set and didn't like it because of the plain 22 it uses for the 3rd.
@@SteelSkin667 I think mine 24 freta
@@Kasketthrash I mean the gauge of the 3rd string is .022" (the package denotes it as 22p), and on a shorter scale guitar thick plain strings don't feel super nice to play to me. It is also a little bit too much tension compared to the rest of the set. You should try them anyway though, everyone's hands and preferences are different.
What you recommend for drop D and standard E? I switch back and forth
I'm curious about what string gauge you use for your bass in drop C. Also, what should be a good string height at the 12th fret for this tuning. I use D'addario 120 - 50 set, they feel quite good.
Modern Metal with active pickups go with the Elixir strings!
Old school Metal with passive pickups go with Ernie Ball strings!
I use 12-64 for Drop A/#/G and even Drop B on 25,5 scale and 10-48 or 10-52 for Drop D/C or D/C standard on 24,5 scale
what is the song playing in the background at 14:35
11s in drop A is my go to for brutal death metal / grind, for my other genres like black metal i stick to c standard with 11s, tempted to move to 12s for the really low stuff. however i don't wanna mess with my string nut
Yo Kevin, where do I find your albums? Thanks man.
I'm not too fussy about string brands, but I am really particular about the gauges, and D'addario usually have the gauges that I like. My favorite tuning is B standard, so I use the D'addario EXL158 (13-62) for that, but I've also experimented with the Ernie Ball 2214 "Mammoth Slinky" (12-62). They are basically the exact same tension as a 10-46 set in E standard (bit lighter on the 1st in the case of the Ernie Balls), and they have a wound 3rd, which I love.
Yeah a plain 3rd is awful in low tunings.
Im Wondering if you know what bass string guage could work for both C# standard and standard A tuning. Im fine if C# is tight and A is a standard feel.
That track playing around 7 minute, holy shit I need more
Pyramid strings are amazing quality ❤
What's the difference between nickel and stainless steel strings? Please explain.. 😁
It's good to have low action but not too much when it notes start fading out I dont care for measuring it's the sound and feel when I adjust the saddle to neck
I’m in C# standard on my 7 string and my low G# feels loose. I’m using 11-52 guage strings with a low 62, should I move to a 64 or 68, or possibly a 70?
Standard D'Addario 11's do everything, including a bit of drop.
Daddario makes regular XLs in the 11-56 gauge fyi way before they came out with nyxl. 13-56 seems a bit much for essentially c# standard on the first 5 strings other than the low b. Especially is you like 12-54 in b standard which would be way less tension. I use 10-52 down a half step on a Gibson scale and 11-52 in d standard on fender scale.
9/52 in E standard. Chugs and bends for days.
The correct way to go definitely is:
1. E Standard - 10-46
2. D Standard - 10-52
Cannot say anything about other tunings because I have only 2 guitars. :D
please cover the song "Fuwa Fuwa Time"
If your gonna tune to drop f on a 6 string what Guage would you use
I'm pretty sure the ones I have are 13-60
Edit
I just checked
They 12-60
I use D'addario 9 guage XL strings. I believe Paul Gilbert goes as light as 8 guage
Thanks man
Can you play something slow and melodic for your next video? I wonder how would you sound. Nice video btw.
I use the D'addario 12-54 but I would like to try the Ernie Ball 12-56 only I don't know if they can handle the standard Eb tuning when I want to play high tuned songs. Do you think I can play Eb tuning with 12-56?
Would be pretty tight especially the 3rd 24 gauge string and need a neck adjustment.
Hey Kevin, love the content brother. I'm a 42 year old metalhead and I watch all your stuff. I doubt you'll see this but I have a question. I just got a dean from hell. My 1st Floyd guitar. It came with 9's and I want to change it to 10's. I'll like tens for classic metal. Anyway, I need to know if I'll have to make any adjustments to the Floyd, going from 9 to 10's? I set up and mod all my stuff, but I'm a dumbass concerning Floyd guitars.
If you're sticking with the same tuning the 10s will make the bridge higher then the 9s. Depending on where it was with the 9s you may need to tighten the springs in the back of the guitar a bit to compensate. Bridge just needs to be straight.
@@davidfisher5022 ok. So, to be clear, I may have to turn the screws in a bit on the "claw"? That's what I assumed, but I'd rather make sure. If I get it out of whack, I'm screwed. Lol. Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.
@@randymiles904 yep
@@davidfisher5022 ok. Thank you for your time man. I appreciate the input.
My preference is 9.5 to 44 Eb
Hmm what strings would you recommend for my Washburn dime333 and my bc rich kerry king v 😢 please help im a newbie and dont know wtf im doing lol thanks
Oh OK never mind lol
Can I use NYXL 11-49 for C standard tuning?
strings talk yes !!!
Great info, thanks heavy metal Mel Gibson
Open B tuning is godly for metal. B F# B F# B D#
Alternatively you can drop it down further and use A E A E A C#
Basically the drop tuning shape across the whole fretboard.
Thanks, I tried it and it's amazing. The diminished shape on the lowest 3 strings turns into minor when you just move it up one string, which provides everything you need basically
@@K_R_N. It's good fun to noodle around with. If you don't want it tuned so low, you can go with C G C G C E for a more stable tuning, that's the one I'm using the most these days.
It cool 2 have diff sound .depth diff Axes tuning .... like experimental tapping n2 untapped areas.((((..R.i.p. JeFF H...🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🥘🍻👀🎸🤬😹💪😆💀💨😠🥁
What do you guys think what would be the good gauge for E standard tuning but the low E is dropped to B. I usually run 10s for standard tuning but the low E is way too floppy. 54-56 maybe ? 25.5 and 24.75 scale lenght. Thanks !
Try a 60 or a 62. That should hold up, tension wise
for the other strings, i guess use 009s or 010s.
for the 24.75 scale use a 060 gauge for the low b string. for the 25.5 scale use like 056/058 for the low b string.
Thanks to both of you !
As soon as I hear that slamming brutal angry guitar tone, it's like a Demon waking up inside of You, whispering... "Let Your hatred out!".
Dude, You're fucking getting better every time, man! 🤘🤘🏴🇺🇸
9:48 looks like he’s missing a part of his head