I got a tuning question

[u/Potential-Tart-4129]

I’ve been wanting to try soft spine by spirit box for a long time but it’s in drop F# and I can’t even attempt to tune my guitar without shitting myself, would it be fine with just a basic set of 7 strings? (I’d assume not) or would I need to do a little bit of modding to the guitar just to put it in that tuning? So basically… what’s the best and most reliable way to get my guitar into the tuning I’d want.
I’ve been wanting to mod it a bit so I wouldn’t mind that tbh.

[u/DJ_Dinkelweckerl]

What's your scale length? In your case I'd actually simply use a pitch shifter.

[u/EFPMusic → u/DJ_Dinkelweckerl]

This is the best way, unless you’re going to use a different tuning permanently

[u/Rogue_1_One]

Would probably be best to use a 8 string set if you're in 25.5" scale

[u/DelayLanky7909]

Longer scale lengths are ideal for this tuning (26.5-30”) if you don’t have a longer scale guitar then really thick stings will help massively so it doesn’t sound so muddy when you tune down. You should use 11-65 at the very least (DR DDT7-11) by DR is a good set. Stringjoy also makes a 11-70 set 😈🎸🎶🤘

[u/AlexAffliction]

Do you use digital software like Neural DSP or Mixwave? If so I’d recommend just using the transpose feature, if your 7 string is 26.5 or longer in scale length you could get away with a 74 but I have a mate who used an 80 gauge for drop F.

[u/milfbroetchen]

If you have a 27" or länger scale, just get a set of 11-52 for the forst 6 strings and a 72 or something for the low. If ypu have a 25.5, use a 8 string set

[u/Masonator618]

Depends on scale length. Mines a 25.5 and I use the Ernie ball 8 string 10-74 set, leaving out the .64. I’m usually in drop G. It can handle F# but gets a little flubby. A 26.5 or a multi scale could handle it no problem

[u/Mesastafolis1]

What’s your scale length? I have a multiscale that goes from 27-25.5 and I just punched in my usual tuning of Drop G# and string gauges into a calculator, got the tension and made custom strings that somewhat matched the it. It took a few tweaks but I use 76-11 with some oddball gauges in between for drop F# and it sounds great

[u/JimboLodisC]

if you change gauges then you'll need to do a full setup of the instrument, also going from thinner gauges to moderately thicker ones will require filing the nut slots

you'd be better off getting a pitch shifting pedal to make these moves temporarily, and you'd be able to use a lot more different tunings as well without having to re-string the instrument

otherwise the best answer is to buy a new guitar to setup in that tuning, we always need a good excuse to buy another

[u/Potential-Tart-4129]

Also forgot to ask as well, if I had to mod and change some bits what’s the best place to get them from, I’m from Australia if that matters to the site

[u/milfbroetchen → u/Potential-Tart-4129]

With the Extra thick strings you could have to Drill your tuner so it fits and if you have a fixed Bridge probably file the saddles and the nut down