Quote:
Originally Posted by NineSpine  I have an L2K right now and Im using very heavy gauge strings (110s). I play tuned down a full step (DGCF) and my strings are floppy as hell.
Is this common with G&Ls? Do they suck to downtune or do I just need to bring it in for some adjustments?
Im considering switching to an an L-2500 and I would like to know if anyone can tell me how the B string would act tuned down to A on one or if there is anything I could do to combat floppyness in that case. |
First of all, tension is a matter of heaviness and speaking distance of string (well- and pitch, but thats assumed!)- meaning that the same set of strings would be equally floppy on any bass of equal scale (34" in this case), so a G&L bass will not have a different string tension than a Fender, MusicMan, or other standards.
What kind of strings are you using? I'd recommend trying some different strings, as different strings will have different tensions- even when advertised as the same gauge.
I have two permanently down-tuned G&Ls- an SB-2 tuned down a full step (D), and an L2000 tuned down 1/2 step (Eflat). Both basses have the same strings- heavy gauge DR Black Beauties (50-110 gauges), and the strings are not floppy on either. I don't really use it anymore, but my L2500 also wore the same strings and was tuned down 1/2 step. The string tension was fine (though a B string will almost always be somewhat floppy on a 34" scale bass), but the larger gauged string tended to get muddy on that particular bass (as compared to normal tuning with standard gauge strings). I'm pretty sure even the SB-2 tuned down a whole step has tighter string tension than light gauge strings on a standard setup.
So yeah- I personally didn't dig the fat strings on my L2500 soundwise (sounds phenomenal with standard gauges though!), but the string tension is no more an issue than with standard tuning/standard strings. Just try some other strings- Rotosound Flatwounds are never light tension- if you want to go all out!
Karl
