I just put a set of 12s on my Epi semi-hollow

Talk about all other types of guitars. Jazzmasters and basses go here!

Moderated By: mods

User avatar
Concretebadger
.
.
Posts: 2111
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:29 pm
Location: Leeds Leeds LEEDS
Contact:

I just put a set of 12s on my Epi semi-hollow

Post by Concretebadger »

I expected HOLY HELL THEY FEEL LIKE BRIDGE CABLES but I'm experimenting with C and C# detuning so they actually feel about right. Having a wound third string might take some getting used to though - I'm a tad worried about breaking it when I get over-zealous with bends, because the tension is sort of similar to the D string when tuned normally. Not that I've broken a string in years, but still.

Now I'm dealing with more bottom end I'm finding the G12H in my 2x12 to be a bit nasal so I'll swap it out for a creamback as soon as my finances are more secure. I'm not using my DRRI much either these days, so I think I'll be putting some big stuff on the classifieds in a few weeks or so.

So yeah. Heavy gauge for the win and all that.
User avatar
BearBoy
.
.
Posts: 7013
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 10:27 am
Location: Strung up to the lemons

Post by BearBoy »

I've got flatwound 13s on my Epiphone Dot atm. A not very successful attempt at a B-B or C-C baritone. Found the strings a bit floppy but had nut issues that, I think, were the cause of some tuning problems around the lower frets (intonation was fine around the 12th fret).

When I get the guitar back out of storage I think I'll put some more "sensible" strings back on it and tune it back to E-E.

Cue Rob....
Fran wrote:I love how this place is basic as fuck.
ekwatts wrote:I'm just going to smash it in with a hammer and hope it works. Tone is all in the fingers anyway.
User avatar
Rox
.
.
Posts: 1283
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:41 am

Post by Rox »

Be sure to carefully adjust the truss rod with heavy strings like that on that Epi.
User avatar
Concretebadger
.
.
Posts: 2111
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:29 pm
Location: Leeds Leeds LEEDS
Contact:

Post by Concretebadger »

I'm not too worried about the truss rod and tension tbh - the tension feels about the same because they're tuned so low. I'll definitely double-check the action and intonation at the bridge in the next day or two though.

Are there tables or other sorts of calculators out there for this sort of stuff btw? I'm finding it to be a bit of a trial-and-error thing - the choice of 12s was a bit of an educated guess that just happened to work out okay. The general rule of thumb is to go up a gauge from standard 25.5" to 24" short scale iirc, but I'm kinda surprised that string gauge-to-tuning converters aren't more widespread.