C G C F Tuning / What Gauge?

[Solarmist]

I've been tuning to C G C F lately, and have been using standard .045 - .105 gauge bright roundwounds so you know its a bit floppy. Can I cure this somewhat by switching out the strings for a heavy gauge? I see D'Addario makes a heavy gauge .055 - .110 bright roundwound set. Will this help?

[Qvist]

Well, I believe Shavo Odadjian from system of a down uses normal gauge, and his bass tone is pretty evil (got some cranked up treble along with a really deep bass), so I think you're pretty good. Maybe try to EQ on your amp? Hope this'll help

[fenderhutz]

Ernie Ball Power Slinkys.

55-75-90-110

[Vic Winters]

I use GHS H3045 Heavy Gauge Bass Boomers for drop C.

50-70-95-115

[tdogg]

i use to use DR high beam 105-25 for tuning my 5 C-G-C-F-C. lots of bass chord fun to be had. it was a bit "floppy" but i liked it that way

[Solarmist]

Don't get me wrong - I like the sound, and the floppiness for bending. Its just excessive fret rattle on my E string - I could raise the saddle a little more, but I thought maybe a slightly larger gauge would work better, but I had to ask you guys first what you thought. Thanks

[Metal Matt]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Ernie Ball Power Slinkys.

55-75-90-110

+1

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

I've been tuning to C G C F lately, and have been using standard .045 - .105 gauge bright roundwounds so you know its a bit floppy. Can I cure this somewhat by switching out the strings for a heavy gauge? I see D'Addario makes a heavy gauge .055 - .110 bright roundwound set. Will this help?

Ok I just took a gig that that wants be to use my Jazz basses and those guys are D G C F and detune to C for 1 tune in their current set.

I use D'addario 45-100 and had no problem however.

I was real consious on the tune in C that I played real clean with hand more at a 90 degree angle (not totally but you get the point )

I also tend to play closer to the bridge then most and I think that also helps with the detune thang.

I was thinking that I might have had to do a little tweak to the neck but so far I have not had to do that.

Let is know what you end up doing and what works for you.

Thats just my $.02

[knumbskull]

in my experience you get the best results from putting together a set of singles.

i started out on .115 / .85 / .65 / .45 - this was OK, nicely balanced but still a bit low tension for my liking.

settled on .120 / .90 / .70 / .50 - perfect! nice and tight, not too much so. the low C was punchy and bright and tension was even all over. these are Rotosound stainless, by the way.

if you use the sets mentioned above - nae offence lads - you risk uneven tension across the neck.

whatever you choose, make sure you adjust the truss rod and intonation. i found i had to file the nut a bit for the .120 guage low C.

there's loads of more knowledgeable folk on here, though - do a search for down tuning or drop tuning

[lowendgenerator]

I use .115 / .85 / .65 / .45 but on DR Lo-Riders. They have a slightly higher tension than other strings IMO and work great. I bounce between DGCF and CGCF.

[Solarmist]

Thanks for all your input. I've got it setup perfect now using .045 / .065 / .085 / 1.05. I may try the GHS .050 / .070 /.095 / .115, but I think I'm going to stick with .045 - .105 because I like the lower tension. I gave an explanation of what I did in the "Setup Forum" Again.....Thanks