10-52 or 11-54?

[Bartosz Tkaczyk]

I just broke my low E string. I’ve been playing on 10-52 gauge since the beginning and now i would like to try 11-54 gauge (Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky). Is this a good idea? i play mainly on E standard/Drop D/Drop C, sometimes Drop B. I’m asking because i don’t want to cause unnecessary problems with my guitar because of changing strings gauge.

 

[idssdi]

Changing string gauge usually mean your guitar has to be set up again so 10-52 is probably your best bet! Personally I use 10+52 for drop d and 10-46 for standard

 

[Kevin Kwasneski]

For standard I use 10-46
1/2 step down 11-49
Whole step down 12-52
But yes, if switching an entire string gauge the guitar will need a setup.

 

[Gabriel Corso]

As Kevin and Ids said.
The set up needs to be done!
And strings are up to you.
Of course, if you are going to tune it waaaay down, bigger gauges are better.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

If you change your string tension you’ll have to counter balance the guitar to match the guage. If you wanna try it tho I suggest doing it. I imagine it changed the tone and whatnot. You may like it better.

 

[Christopher Lonski]

I use the old Zakk Wylde GHS 10-60 for standard and drop D. I think they’re called “heavyweights” now.The extra thick low string is great for tight riffing and keep everything in tune a bit better since it doesnt flop around as much. You might run into some issues with the strings binding at the nut, but that’s easily fixed with a file.