Drop Tuning a Strat

monquixote

Since getting my Tele the Strat is a bit unloved as between that and the DGT I'm covered for anything I could want clean to mid gain.

To that end I've just bought the Billy Corgan pickguard on the classifieds so I can use the Strat for some full on heavy tones. 

To give it a bit more versatility I'm thinking I could drop it down to D or drop C#, bur when I think about I don't recall drop tuned Strats being a thing.

I've got the trem locked down with 5 springs so that won't be an issue. 

Anything I should consider?

I've got 10s on it at the moment, but I have a set of 11s if that might be better for the lower tuning.

TTBZ

Mines in drop C with 10-54 EB Skinny Top Beefy Bottom. Could maybe do with a bit more tension though but I don't really like 11s. 

Fez

Robin Trower tunes his to D I'm sure plenty of other people do too. I keep meaning to try it but not got round to it yet.

not_the_dj

A modded strat tuned down to D....sounds like you’re getting ready for some Motley Crue riffs. 

skullfunkerry

I had my (Squier Contemporary) Strat tuned to drop C with 10s. My guitars now are the same scale length, drop C with 10-52 and it works nicely. You won't need to do anything to the nut: intonation might need a small tweak but that's it 

stickyfiddle

You might want at least the lower strings from the 11's, in which case you'll want to check nut slots and intonation, but otherwise you should be good to go.

birtner

I had mine in open c the other day. Was fine 

digitalscream

I just dropped my Strat to drop-C# for a BHD recording. Just three springs (I have the trem wound right back), although I couldn't be arsed restringing from the 9-46 I usually keep on there.

Sounds just fine.

guitarmangler

It’ll be fine with 10’s, just tweak the truss rod a little.

Corvus

Mine's in D standard with Optiweb 11s on. They're a bit stiffer than most strings, could prob do C# standard fine.
It sounds great. Never going back to E std with it.

monquixote

Tried dropping it to D standard today with the 10s on

It doesn't choke too much and the intonation and action are still ok.

I'm not sure I like how floppy the strings are though. Feels like it has 8s in which I'm not fond of.

It certainly gets very flappy if I go to drop C so I might dig around for a set of 10 to 52 or 11s in my parts box when I restring it next.

Funkfingers

I keep an MIM Fender Stratocaster in Eb for those Hendrix, Vaughan and Edge moments.