theleveller wrote, "The problem with using heavier bass strings is that you have to file a wider slot in the nut". I use a 60 on the bottom C, considerably heavier than the standard 52 or 54, and I have not had to do this. A standard nut should take a 60.

GUEST,guest mattkeen wrote, "One word of warning - if you do put on heavier strings, make sure your guitar can take the extra tension if you tune back to standard tuning" - absolutely. But the point of using a 60 on the bottom etc. (as in my post above) is that you keep the guitar in open C or something near it. I sometimes tune the bottom C up to to D (just for the odd tune) and the top E to E flat and that has been fine.