Drop-B, 4 strings with 35''

cheurl · #1 03-07-2007, 08:11 AM

Hello people !!!

My band is recently tuned in drop-B, I play with a LTD B-2005 with a 35'' scale.

Somebody could advice me for a strings brand, and most important, which gauges must I choose ?

Actually, my strings are too much "flop"

aunchaki · #2 03-07-2007, 08:26 AM

I good low B string needs to be at least .130 inches. I'd grab a good five-string set and tune to BEAD (instead of EADG). That's like having the four low strings on a five-string bass. It's a great tuning -- I can't remember the last time I used by G string.

Pneuma · #3 03-07-2007, 11:25 AM

I actually have preferred the sound of a .125 to the .130s I've tried. It'd probably be worth it to buy a few singles from Just Strings or something until you find the gauge you like the best.

P.

cheurl · #4 03-08-2007, 12:39 AM

Oh sorry, but I thinked that Drop-B = BF#BE...

Any advices ?

Jeff Moote · #5 03-08-2007, 12:52 AM

Try something like:
.120 .090 .070 .050

Beav · #6 03-08-2007, 01:41 AM

I also agree on going with a .125 especially on a 35". I think 130s sound too muddy and clunky. I tune to drop-c and just use SIT rock brights in a 5 string set and throw out the E string.

dexterward · #7 03-08-2007, 11:14 AM

Not to hijack the thread, but i'm also in a similar situation. Recently joined a band that plays in drop b, as well as a couple songs in c# standard.

I play a 34" scale bass, would it be a bad Idea to get a light 5 string set, using the lower 4, and tune B F# B E, or would this be too much tension for the the 3 higher strings.

I was thinking of using a set of D'Addario xl super light guage:
.040, .060, .075, .095, .125

Pneuma · #8 03-08-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dexterward

Not to hijack the thread, but i'm also in a similar situation. Recently joined a band that plays in drop b, as well as a couple songs in c# standard.

I play a 34" scale bass, would it be a bad Idea to get a light 5 string set, using the lower 4, and tune B F# B E, or would this be too much tension for the the 3 higher strings.

I was thinking of using a set of D'Addario xl super light guage:
.040, .060, .075, .095, .125

Probably not. That's only one step raised from their usual tuning. I'd rather have a little extra tension than the lower amount that you'd have for drop tuning the lighter gauges.

P.