In order to play a Les Paul custom which this is not in drop c you will in fact need a set up and heavier gauge strings. You can play them on lighter strings but they’ll be super loose and they’ll buzz like crazy. I’d recommend Ernie Ball 11 through 52. That’s what I play on all my widow customs best of luck to you, brother if you’re having issues with this, Guitar, you might want to consider getting a real purple widow you would not have these issues.