Down tuning 7 string to F#

[sepsis311]

Hi guys,
The shit starter is asking for some advice... Before i get flamed, please understand that I tried searching, but you can't really submit a query like "7 string F#" and get results, 7 and F# are too short.

Anyway, I want to tune my ESP LTD H-307 down to F#. Has anyone done this with a 7 string with emg's producing excellent results? Or is the 25.5 scale length way too short? Also, are tapered guitar strings available? Im guessing anything above a .60 would be too thick to fit through the tuner. I figure i'd go with

F# .66
B .56
E .46 so forth

Also, for the 3rd string, could i still get away with an unwound string? The one that is usually a G? Because now it would be a D.

[XeoFLCL]

I'd consider going with at least a .72 for F#, as anything below that will be flub. Also F# is definitely doable on 25.5", but it won't sound as clear as say a 27" scale.

Also, you can always unwind the tip of the string to get it through the tuner, which is what alot of us do here.

[MaxOfMetal]

Definitely go for something thicker on the F#. Like XeoFLCL said, a .072 would be the thinnest I'd go on a 25.5" scale, and I don't even like super thick strings.

[MaKo´s Tethan]

just an example...I can not find the thread in which some guy tune his apex1 to F sharp.
tuning-for-my-apex.html
dude, you have more neg rep than MetalKen

[CrushingAnvil]

You would be tuned to B standard with a Low F#.

[sepsis311]

mako, thanks for the link to that thread. yea i get neg'd all the time, people get easily offended. i wanna try to find sound samples of what a 7 detuned to F# sounds like. also, is it tough to unwind the string? thats an AWESOME idea by the way.

[CrushingAnvil]

Originally Posted by sepsis311

mako, thanks for the link to that thread. yea i get neg'd all the time, people get easily offended. thanks for the link! i wanna try to find sound samples of what a 7 detuned to F# sounds like. also, is it tough to unwind the string? thats an AWESOME idea by the way.

Meshuggah used downtuned 7's on the first take of Catch-33 [except they tuned to F - same diff though!]

[sepsis311]

thanks for the tip CA. Also, what would you guys do about the third string? Do you use a wound string or unwound? For some reason i dont think i could get used to having a wound string there.

[CrushingAnvil]

Originally Posted by sepsis311

thanks for the tip CA. Also, what would you guys do about the third string? Do you use a wound string or unwound? For some reason i dont think i could get used to having a wound string there.

You could get the G from a 12-54 set.

[sepsis311]

but would that G tune down to D without significant flop?

F# 72
B 56
E 46
A 36
D would be 26 wound normally, thats pretty thick.
G
B

[sepsis311]

actually i would tune it, F# B E A D F# A#
I just can't see that D being unwound

[twiztedchild]

I had my H207 down to f# for about 3 minutes was trying to get it to a G but for some damn reason the string didnt want to go to G, anyways the short time I hade it there it sounded decent to me, Also the string was .59 D'Addario I want to get an 8 string but it may have to be my h207 tuned to F# with thicker strings just so I can have the 8 sound without the 8th string or till I get money to get an 8 string.


anyways, go for it man. I will just gotta get the right size strings

[preboha]

in my opinion the lowest note that still sounds good on a 25,5 scale is G. i can't imagine going any lower, and i am allready using a 72 for the G.

[twiztedchild]

Originally Posted by preboha

in my opinion the lowest note that still sounds good on a 25,5 scale is G. i can't imagine going any lower, and i am allready using a 72 for the G.

thats usally what I have mine tuned to, and it workes fine with the 59 also it is like Drop D, but with the Low B droped down to g and the rest tuned to D standed sorta like a Korn tuning I guess

[Lern2swim]

Originally Posted by twiztedchild

thats usally what I have mine tuned to, and it workes fine with the 59 also it is like Drop D, but with the Low B droped down to g and the rest tuned to D standed sorta like a Korn tuning I guess

Korn have always tuned to A standard.

[Hypothermia]

I recently started tuning my Schecter C-7 with 26,5" scale to FBEADGB

and i use a .80 for the low F, i would NEVER EVER go any thinner than that concidering how almost flobby it is

[shitsøn]

i tuned my 26.5 scale ibanez RGD to F with a .074 string and it works fine. i would recommend to try the same gauge for F# on a 25.5.

[darbdavys]

Using .70 for F# on JP7, sounds and feels great. not too floppy, imo

[guitarplayerone]

the biggest thing on tuning to F# at 25.5" scale is that if you have an aggressive attack on the string, it will first be sharp in pitch and then return to regular pitch whenever you hit it with your pick. i forget what the technical terminology for this is, but it has to do with the way that the string will vibrate- the oscillations will rise in frequency for a while and then return to pitch. if you pick lightly, this wouldn't be an issue, but if you pick a bit harder, it will.i have to be honest, i haven't used proper (>.070) gauge strings to try this when i did, i suspect that a nice thick string will help alleviate this issue, but have no personal experience with it.

but it also depends what you use for amping. there's a reason why people seem to like either long scale length of engls, i've noticed that my engl almost 'recreates' the effect of a long scale length with its midrangey attack, though my buddy's interceptor can djent through just about anything (including Sunn amps and mesas) at 28 5/8". but it really seems that depending on what you are planning on using this for, and considering your current amp situation, it might make more sense to sell your esp and just get an 8 instead of potentially having to change around your strings, and then a whole bunch of other stuff. what are you planning to do with this F# and what will you be running it through

i mean FWIW all of schecter's 8's are 26.5" scale and there's the 25.5" esp. but the esp is really intended for high a (but ships with an F# from what i remember).

so i guess track down some FM408 owners and ask them what they use

[All_¥our_Bass]

It can be done but be prepared to play with string gauges a lot.

I'm a freak who uses a 100 gauge elixir bass string for F on a 25.5" scale.

[Rick]

Mnemic uses 7 strings for F# standard, I don't know their gauges, though.

[Monk]

I had pretty good results tuning my APEX1 down to F#

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/sev...pex1-in-f.html

[6Christ6Denied6]

Originally Posted by XeoFLCL

I'd consider going with at least a .72 for F#, as anything below that will be flub. Also F# is definitely doable on 25.5", but it won't sound as clear as say a 27" scale.

Also, you can always unwind the tip of the string to get it through the tuner, which is what alot of us do here.

or you could use a drill like me

[6Christ6Denied6]

i use a 70 for my low F on a 26.5 sclale, though i will probably get a 74 next time because i like them on the tight side,

[DrewsifStalin]

I tuned to F on my 25.5 with a .54 and it wasn't that bad...

Edit: .56