clarity in downtuning?

[AshenBassist]

well now that i have aqcuired a usable second bass, i'm going to convert my previous into a downtuning machine. I'd like to be able to cover ground between D standard down to five string tuning. It's a fourbanger by the way, the LTD in my sig.

I would like this dismal tunings, but with clarity and ease of play similair to standard tuning- can this be done? If so what string choice should i use? 125-65 Tapered cores for all strings? different gauge? Brand?

i was thinking of trying some DR longnecks as i do believe those are tapered cores, though are they all tapered or just the B? also if need be, i could not use D standard if thats too much of a gap...

lotta questions, and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that i get some good answers...


by the way i understand that a trussrod adjustment/nut filing will be required, main things i'm looking for are relatively tight tension and clarity (no mud).

[amistybleu]

DR Lo Riders tend to have slightly more tension which is helpful in drop tuning.

my new bass will have these also to maintain tightness and clarity in drop tuning. Delano JMVC4 FE/M2



www.delano.de

[0rion]

I use DR Highbeams. 65-135 tuned to CGCF, it has the tension of standard tuning just really fat bright strings. Trussrod adjustment was necessary but not nut filing. sounds very clear and very low.

Also I found this very useful for calculating string tension:
http://www.daddariostrings.com/Resou...sion_chart.pdf

I believe for long scale bass, a .105 tuned to E has about 37lbs of string tension. A .130 tuned to C has about the same.

[bassman1185]

I tune CGCF as well, but I use DR Black Beauties, 50-110. I'm considering ordering custom strings from them with basicly the same set, but with a .120 low C. For now, though, the .110 is working out for me.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

I tune CGCF as well, but I use DR Black Beauties, 50-110. I'm considering ordering custom strings from them with basicly the same set, but with a .120 low C. For now, though, the .110 is working out for me.

There are 4 string sets with a .115 on bottom - some fairly inexpensive brands are doing it.

I can undestand the loyalty to DR, but going to a .115 could be a worthwhile and cheap experiment.

[bassman1185]

What brands have .115s on the bottom? I have only ever seen GHS Boomers with a .115, and I hate those strings.

[Daytona955i]

I use DR Hi-Beams, I just buy 5 string sets with a .125 low B string, and string it on the E of my 4 string and then just give the g string away. I've tried a few different DR strings, but for CGCF tuning I really like the Hi-Beams, but they all had a good feel and tension and I was happy with the clarity and playability, but the sound of the Hi-Beams just worked with my bass.

I also found that changing the pickup height can change the amount of clarity you have, too far and the sound is weak, too close and it's muddy. You may not have to file the nut, you probably will have to adjust the truss rod.

Please read up on how to file the nut properly, you don't want any burrs and you don't want to make an uneven enlargement.

[amistybleu]

It's funny how people post and bail, Oh well

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

What brands have .115s on the bottom? I have only ever seen GHS Boomers with a .115, and I hate those strings.

Off the top of my head, La Bella and TI

[bassman1185]

Hmm, I might check those out.