I have a quick question.

Can any standard guitar (example: Fender HSS Stratocaster) be tuned down to baritone tuning (BEADGB) with heavier strings ??

Does the standard 25.5 Scale length matter ?

Is it functional ?

You will need to avoid intonation problems,
possible wrong strings within the nut's string-slot issues,
possible strings buzzing the frets around the 13th fret or higher,
possible tension issues at the bridge block & tremolo spring system from added tension,
possible neck alignment/truss rod issues with the added string tension.

IMHO, tighter strings make for trouble.
Hope this helps. Toppscore

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you can do it, but to maintain proper string tension you would need some pretty fat strings. Just get a 7 string set and leave out one string. most 7 string guitars are 25.5" scale length anyways.
if you balance gauge with the tuning there will be no increase in overall string tension.
but you will need the nut slot enlarged and some possible tweaks on the truss rod and springs. nothing major though.

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Great idea, SBD!!!
wonder what it'd be like using a nine string set and
leaving off the first three strings. Just wondering

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Thanks guys !

I remember seeing charts for drop tuning and string sizes. I even had to do tension/truss rod/nut filing switching from 9-42 to 10-52 strings for my Strat.

I would most likely get a 500-600 dollar guitar, swap the pups and drop tuning to Drop B or Drop A.

What string size could i use to make optimal tension ??

(Note: I prefer 10-52 on Standard E tuning)

I have never done this personally, but logic tells me that a set fora 7 string in 10's with the .010 removed will maintain the proper tension you want.
you are basically just taking a regular set of 10's and adding a .056 for the low b. although a .060 or .062 would probably be better if you do ADADGB tuning. you could always just get a .060 single along with your normal string set. you will definitely need intonation adjustment though.

http://www.juststrings.com/ebl-2621.html

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Shoot. Of all the things to make sense,
that idea certainly makes sense

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I have not tried this - so no experience on that. I am lucky enough to own a baritone , so I have no need to experiment like that. But I ask myself- wouldn't this increase the pressure on the neck /truss rod too much ? And- if there is a trem- what about the springs ? Is a standard guitar (strat) constructed for this kind of pressure - or could something go seriously wrong? Don't know , but to me that seems reasonable if something could not handle it......

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A-man

Its really not that huge of an increase in tension as long as he doesn't try tuning it back in standard I have used heavy 13 flatwounds on my strat with no issues and those have way more tension on them than that. so one string worth of added tension wont cause any damage. unless the guitar is barely holding together as we speak
strats can take allot more abuse than we think they can. I have a friend that used to put heavy acoustic strings on his..... that was like playing with fence wire for strings

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I suppose you are right about that , SBD . Sounds reasonable. I have also used 13 flatwounds , but that was on my Hagstrom Viking . Not much bend-able

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A-man

yea... bends are hell on your fingers with them flatwounds but mannn don't the chords sound clean

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That's for sure At that time I thought I might be a jazz-''phantom'' .So after a while it was back to 10s. Still able to get some jazzy sounds , and more able to bend again. Rock & Roll was calling me back

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A-man

I've had a '75 Les Paul tuned down to Drop C with no issues, using Ernie Ball 10-52 Skiny Top Heavy Bottom strings. Minor setup work to accomodate, nothing major.

Also had my Squier bullet strat set up in baritone tuning, drop A... I used baritone strings, but I've also used the bottom 6 out of a 7 string pack. Again, you will have to tweak the truss rod and re-intonate, and probably file out the slots for the bigger strings.

Although, if you're going to buy a 500-600 dollar guitar anyway, why not just pick up a baritone? Look for an Agile or an Epiphone Baritone LP... those are both great baritones, for not a lot of bucks. The Agile bari LP style was a little nicer IMO, as it retained the full LP style control setup, but either are decent. Drop in a Duncan JB in the bridge position, and you're set!

Another great baritone that's a little more like a strat (comparatively, anyway) is the PRS SE Mike Mushok Baritone. It comes in silverburst or a more traditional tobbacco burst... that one is great right out of the box, but it's probably a hundred or two more than the other two.

he makes a good point there you could try one of the new baritone telecasters.
and the Mushok PRS is nice. I liked his old Ibanez signature baritone much better though.


also if you have a little larger budget you could try to FIND one of those American Subsonic Stratocasters
( i have yet to find one without a ridiculous price tag, and i have been looking for a while)

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Is that the same as the Fender Bass VI ? In that case I imagine having seen some MIJ or CIJ - might be cheaper and still good !

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A-man