ADADG - My low D is dead, but is fine in standard BEADG?! Help!

[Terry-MaQ]

Hey guys,

When playing in Drop D the downtuned string ( a rotosound swing bass 105 gauge) sounds considerably less bright and new than the other strings.
This problem does not occur with the 130 gauge string when it is tuned from B to A.
The problem is much less noticeable in standard tuning.

Am I doing something wrong?
Why does this only happen to this particular string?

Any help would be much appreciated

[GeneralElectric]

It sounds less bright because when you detune it, it sounds deeper.

[Parabolic Box]

Lower tension puts more emphasis on the fundamental. Plus, it could be that strings lose some of their character when they're put in a different tuning than they were wound for. It's the reason John Entwistle got frustrated with detuned Rotosounds and switched to Maxima Golds.

[Terry-MaQ]

Hmm, what would you guys suggest?

The timbre of the D is so different though, less of a "chime" sound than the others and more like a "gung" type sound.

Sorry for the poor explanation...

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by Terry-MaQ

Hey guys,

When playing in Drop D the downtuned string ( a rotosound swing bass 105 gauge) sounds considerably less bright and new than the other strings.
This problem does not occur with the 130 gauge string when it is tuned from B to A.
The problem is much less noticeable in standard tuning.

Am I doing something wrong?
Why does this only happen to this particular string?

Any help would be much appreciated

Quit messing with the drop D and get a 5 string bass.

[Ric5]

When you detune you loose a lot of the overtones that make for a rich sound.

[Terry-MaQ]

I should have mentioned specifically that I do play a 5-string, in ADADG.

[Roland777]

Get heavier strings. Buy singles. Initially a .110 for the D, I'd say.

[Terry-MaQ]

Cool, I'll try that out.

[rollcall]

a setup for tuning is needed strings too