undone Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 I posted my first post earlier today because I am having trouble getting my low E string to intonate properly. It is a Les Paul Classic tuned drop flat (low E is C#) I am using Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky's 11-54 so its not the strings. I have had Les Pauls for years but just recently started tuning to drop flat. My band is wrting a ton of material in this tuning so I am there to stay. I heard that some Les Pauls are notorious for intonation problems especially in low tunings. My question is this, I used to have Macarty's and never seemed to have intonation trouble. I know that you cannot adjust the intonation on them. Would a Prs Mccarty be a better choice for de-tuning to drop flat? Would it be more stable? They seem pretty confident that thier guitars come pre-intonated from the factory. I am seriously thinking about going back to using Mcarty's, any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 playing c# on a 24 3/4" scale instrument can be problematic.you don't mention it in this post,but in your other post it sounds like your strings still don't have proper tension. you could try 12s,but you would have to file your nut slots even wider. and here is the main thing.different guages of strings require different intonation.so you WILL have to re intonate.but i don't think you will have much luck with it while your strings are effectively slack. you will have the same problem with the prs. i built a 24 3/4" instrument and it turned out to be a very bright,harsh sound because of the wood choice,so i later tuned it to c#..with 11s,just like you. the string tension is a bit loose...i need to move up to 12s with it,but i have not yet. but mine is properly intonated,because i have a bridge that allows a wider range of movement than a t.o.m. i guess buying a les paul baritone is out of the question for you?because that would sound much better in that tuning. but if you must use what you have...slide on up to 12s,refile your nut slots(do it properly or you will have tuning problems) and if your intonation range is not sufficient to compensate...look into a replacement t.o.m. with a wider range of adjustment.such as the gotoh or the tone pros. if you don't think you can do this properly,take it to a tech and tell him what you want.your guitar will thank you. and i hear no mention of truss rod adjustment from you.if you tuned down to c# without checking this,then you should probably just take it to a tech.nothing wrong with taking it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted January 20, 2005 Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 try some "Not even Slinky's" They're set up for normal tension when Tuned to C. Petrucci used them on the Train of Thought album Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undone Posted January 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2005 try some "Not even Slinky's" They're set up for normal tension when Tuned to C. Petrucci used them on the Train of Thought album ← Thanks so much guys...I left a full reply on the other topic...sorry for the newbie mistake. I am going to try a set of the Not Even Slinkys and see if I can get there. Thanks VERY much, for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 try some "Not even Slinky's" They're set up for normal tension when Tuned to C. Petrucci used them on the Train of Thought album ← hmmm? well i guess you learn something new every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undone Posted January 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 try some "Not even Slinky's" They're set up for normal tension when Tuned to C. Petrucci used them on the Train of Thought album ← hmmm? well i guess you learn something new every day ← Hey I went down to the local guitar doc today and he suggested that I try a Buzz Feiten Tuning System along with Ernie Ball Not even Slinkys' (56 for a bottom) . He said that it will virtually eliminate the intonation problems (being sharp) that plauge most guitars in frets 1-3. He sold me on it so I am having one put on my Les Paul Classic. Any thoughts on the Buzz Feiten? Here is there website www.buzzfeiten.com Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 it's pretty expensive.i hear it works though. the earvana nut also works for less money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 Yeah, you can install an earvana nut for like $40 and you don't need a special tuner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undone Posted January 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 Yeah, you can install an earvana nut for like $40 and you don't need a special tuner ← They didnt say anything about needing a special tuner.....am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Librero Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 They didnt say anything about needing a special tuner.....am I missing something? yes, electronic tuners. check buzzfeiten.com. it cites tuners, like the Korg DT-7, which suitable for use with BFTS equipped instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 Here ya go Wes try some "Not even Slinky's" They're set up for normal tension when Tuned to C. Petrucci used them on the Train of Thought album ← hmmm? well i guess you learn something new every day ← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowser Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 They didnt say anything about needing a special tuner.....am I missing something? yes, electronic tuners. check buzzfeiten.com. it cites tuners, like the Korg DT-7, which suitable for use with BFTS equipped instruments. ← They recommend the Korg, but I think that you really just need an accurate tuner that will tell you how many cents off you are because with the system you have to tune the strings to slightly off prefect tune - This is just what I think I remember from reading about it before, I could be way off here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted January 21, 2005 Report Share Posted January 21, 2005 You need thicker strings, at least a 60 on the E. Even Zakk goes heavier than that when tunning to C# from the GHS site 60-10 and 70-10 respectively. and remembre that it will be a bit hard to intonate with the TOM because of the thicker string, but it's not impossible, proven by the man himself Signature Set - GBZW Zakk uses this set when using standard tunings and some drop tunings with Black Label Society and Ozzy Ozbourne. Signature Set - GBZWLO Zakk uses this set when using lower than normal drop tunings. The heavier gauges on the low E string provides more tension and snaps back better at lower tunings http://www.ghsstrings.com/ then click on products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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