i tune my 25.5" guitar to CGCFAD (commonly known as drop-C). the most popular sets of strings for this tuning are probably those skinny bottom/heavy top ones, typically gauge .010-.052.
after trying the .010-.052 sets for awhile, i grew frustrated with the floppy low string. the tension for the lowest string is way lower than the next two strings as it is downtuned a whole step further than the other strings in relation to standard tuning i.e. the higher five strings are all downtuned by one full step, while the low C is two full steps down from the standard E.
after searching around, i discovered zachary optimum gauge strings. the idea is that each string increases in tension progressively, as opposed to normal string sets where the tension increases and decreases rather arbitrarily (more info here).
however, the .010 sets i ordered are meant for standard tuning, or, say, standard with all strings downtuned by a fixed amount, to preserve the relationship between the strings e.g. EADGBE down to DGCFAD. in order to tune to CGCFAD, i have to replace the lowest string of the set with a .056 string (trust me, this is based on quite a bit of calculation and research on my part).
so, ok, sherlock, where am i going with this, you ask? well...
1) where can i find .056 d'addario nickel roundwound single strings? looked around peninsula and closest match was .054 SIT stainless steel singles from davis. i prefer d'addario nickel roundwounds, but couldn't find .056
2) will a .056 fit a typical superstrat's nut slot?
for anyone who has doubts about why i think a .056 is ideal for my low C, i can reply to your queries with astounding mathematics (kidding, just basic arithmetic), but i'm too lazy to elaborate on the whole thing here.
after trying the .010-.052 sets for awhile, i grew frustrated with the floppy low string. the tension for the lowest string is way lower than the next two strings as it is downtuned a whole step further than the other strings in relation to standard tuning i.e. the higher five strings are all downtuned by one full step, while the low C is two full steps down from the standard E.
after searching around, i discovered zachary optimum gauge strings. the idea is that each string increases in tension progressively, as opposed to normal string sets where the tension increases and decreases rather arbitrarily (more info here).
however, the .010 sets i ordered are meant for standard tuning, or, say, standard with all strings downtuned by a fixed amount, to preserve the relationship between the strings e.g. EADGBE down to DGCFAD. in order to tune to CGCFAD, i have to replace the lowest string of the set with a .056 string (trust me, this is based on quite a bit of calculation and research on my part).
so, ok, sherlock, where am i going with this, you ask? well...
1) where can i find .056 d'addario nickel roundwound single strings? looked around peninsula and closest match was .054 SIT stainless steel singles from davis. i prefer d'addario nickel roundwounds, but couldn't find .056
2) will a .056 fit a typical superstrat's nut slot?
for anyone who has doubts about why i think a .056 is ideal for my low C, i can reply to your queries with astounding mathematics (kidding, just basic arithmetic), but i'm too lazy to elaborate on the whole thing here.
