Best String gauge for my band

[Steven2812]

Hi, I play in a band Called in search of yesterday. we play alot of different kinds of metal and other genres. We play alot in drop c but we can also play in d standard drop d or even Standard. I play an Ibanez sr 305 5 string. What gauge strings should I get?, I prefer low action but I dont want buzzing frets anymore. Please help me.

[ljazz]

The best gauge will be the one that you feel most comfortable on, yet still able to get the tone you want.

There are no shortcuts...... you have to try out a bunch.

And honestly, feel, stiffness, tension are different enough between mfg'ers and types, let alone gauges.

[Meatrus]

As you have a 5 string bass you shouldnt actually need to tune down for drop C or D, as the notes are already on your B string. So you could get away with standard/medium gauge. For D standard it may be easier to tune down, to save re figuring out the songs. So a heavier gauge of maybe 135-50 for that.

[Steven2812]

Yea but that would mean when I want to play a c like an open I have to go all the way to the first fret of the b string, and were playing very fast heavy stuff, so I couldnt do that, should I just get bigger strings?

[Meatrus]

I probably would go for a 135 to 50 or similar (whatever you can find really) then. A heavier set than this may get uncomfortable to play in standard tuning.

[FunkMetalBass]

My band does a lot of drop tuning, so on my 4-string I have a .120 steel string for my E. It's a custom gauge and I can verify it later for you if you'd like.