BFTS offset question...

[mike_TA81]

For you guys out there (and Tom!) -- is there a relativlely easy algorithm to determine offsets?

For example if I were to go into a 1-full step dropped tuning, is there an easy calculation I could do to figure out how the offsets would work out?

[tom]

the simple answer is no.
it's all tension related. if you drop tune but use bigger strings it shouldn't be way off. if you drop tune with the same strings and they are lots floppier then an adjustment would be in order. like my low e. the E is -2 cents, but when i drop it to D i do -4 cents.
how low are you going and are you changing string gauge?

[mike_TA81]

Thanks for the reply Tom!

I'm not 100% certain I would be going this route but just wanted to know if there was an easy answer (and apparently not!).

If I did I was figuring one full step down and possibly 2 full steps on the low B or E string depending on which guitar I go with -- string set would be the same (10s on both the 6 and 7-stringers).

I guess I just don't understand the BFTS well -- I've tried to find sources on the net but what I've found has been over my head.

So in general, what would be your thought process in guesstimating things? Given your above example, the lower the tuning the lower you would go in terms of cents?

[tom]

i can't imagine even playing 2 full steps down, the strings would feel like rubber bands. i know .011's tuned to Eb feel about the same as .010's tuned to E. you might pose the question once you decide on strings to the bf people. greg bach is a very helpful guy.

[markus]

I tune one of my Classics to Drop C and use .011s instead of the .010s that I use for Drop Db. Seems to work just fine, but I was wondering about the same thing actually.
Now on a short scale guitar dropping down to C might not be such a good idea even with .011s as they'd be pretty floppy. I had that very discussion with Roy last week about my upcoming Bulldog. If I decide to go ahead with Drop C on the Bulldog, I might try the Elixir .012s. I don't like a wound G string, so maybe a heavy bottom/slinky top mix of the Elixir .012s and .011s will do the trick. We'll see...