bright strings for down tuned short scale

Wademeister63 · #1 05-09-2009, 05:49 AM

Been using Hi-beams for a while now and love em but I don't think they're going to do what I want in this situation. I'm learning some stuff tuned down a half step, which I've never done before. My Peavey G Bass has a 35" scale and seems to handle the down tuning real well but my Jazz bass feels kinda floppy. But I'd REALLY like to try this with the bass I built myself which has 33-1/4" scale, same as a Rick. Pic below, though it's apart now and has a natural maple finish and a single P pickup instead of the T-40 pups. I don't have to string it up to know that my Hi-beams will be super floppy.
I'd like to stay close to the Hi-beam sound but I don't think the Hi-beam gauges are going to cut it. Maybe none of the DR strings. I have looked around some and found GHS Boomers with a .115" E, and that may work but I don't know the sound of those strings. No doubt a bunch of you guys have tried tuning down on a Rick, what have you found for a tight grindy sound tuned to Eb?

fretlessguy · #2 05-11-2009, 04:18 AM

I have used the same GHS set on an Ibanez SR480. The tuning was DGCF. The experiment was a success. In the end I went back to regular tuning because it just never "felt" right to me. I would take the same set and probably go BEAD because of my 5 sting experience. Fender and GHS both have a .110 set, which would be the way I would go next (not a fan of high tension strings). With a 33 1/2 inch bass, it probably won't be a lot of difference.
Great bass, by the way.

FG

Wademeister63 · #3 05-12-2009, 02:27 PM

Thanks FG,

I went ahead and took the plunge on the GHS strings. Not too expensive compared to a lot of other stuff I've bought, so we'll see what we see on that deal. Oddly enough, I did try tuning down on both of my jazz basses and they both feel tighter (which I like) than the 35" Peavey. I think I may have put light or medium's on the Peavey and heavies on the jazz basses. I hope to have this bass back together within the next week or so and I've got a pretty good feeling about it =).

fretlessguy · #4 05-12-2009, 06:52 PM

PM Wademeister and let me know how it went. I would me interested in knowing how it all came out in the end.

HogieWan · #5 05-12-2009, 06:55 PM

You just need a thick set. You could try the thickest of a light 5-string set

Wademeister63 · #6 06-13-2009, 07:27 AM

Well I got it all together and it seems pretty good. I'd like to have some more brightness but I can get a real nice tone by cranking the treble up on my Bmax. I sort of hate to have to crank the treble, but DUH.. that's what it's there for idnit? I may yet swap out pickups after I play with it a while. I really do like the feel of these heavy duty Boomers on this bass. Very good tension in spite of being tuned down and shorter scale.