Drop C gauge?

[Mrandrenv]

Gonna try out for band that plays in drop c and Im not sure what gauge I should go for. Currently Im using medium gauge .45 I believe. I need lighter strings so I don't lose too much tension, right?

Problem is, I also play in standard E tuning. Is there a gauge which fits both tunings?

[DrSmaggs]

I use 45-105, but typically you would want a thicker string if you wanted to detune permanently.

You should be fine with the .45 set you're using.

[smo]

You're not gonna find one string to do those two tunings.
Prob is - every time you go down to C, and then up to E, you'll stretch the string a little more, making the string looser for C.
Just tune it to C, F, A#, D# and be done with it - I've been a C tuner for 10years+ and it's much more useful than EADG IME.

Even a GHS .115 is gonna be loose down in C, but one of the only strings I found useful to cover C tuning, provided you DON'T EVER tune above C.

I use a 5 banger set (light) and tune UP. Only way to get the right tension on that low C, which should have a nice tension or it'll just flub......

If you want flats , the TI Jazz flats with the .136 for C is perfect.

Good Luck

[DrSmaggs]

Originally Posted by smo

You're not gonna find one string to do those two tunings.
Prob is - every time you go down to C, and then up to E, you'll stretch the string a little more, making the string looser for C.
Just tune it to C, F, A#, D# and be done with it - I've been a C tuner for 10years+ and it's much more useful than EADG IME.

Even a GHS .115 is gonna be loose down in C, but one of the only strings I found useful to cover C tuning, provided you DON'T EVER tune above C.

I use a 5 banger set (light) and tune UP. Only way to get the right tension on that low C, which should have a nice tension or it'll just flub......

If you want flats , the TI Jazz flats with the .136 for C is perfect.

Good Luck

I also agree with this. While I've had no issue sticking with 45-105, this might be a better solution for your preference to feel.

Maybe you could get a second bass for your other tuning. What kind of bass do you use now?

For my own personal taste, I actually really like the sound of a 105 string dropped to C. Though it's only a half-step above B, using the light-gauge 5 string set sounds like a winner!

Do you own a second bass? Or could you get one? That's what I would do.

I'm fortunate enough to own two 5-string basses and two 4 string basses. I'm pretty much set for anything I want to do.

Good luck with your choice and maybe you could post pics of your bass(es) and which gauges and tunings you choose!

[tylerwylie]

I use the Circle K .124 Drop Tuned set for Drop C, the .118 could work really well also. So far really impressed with how the strings sound and feel.

I'd recommend against switching tunings constantly unless you like adjusting truss rods, saddle height, and the like.

[rockstarbassist]

That's not gonna work all that awesome. Drop C is pretty extreme from E std. I have a custom Circle K set on my 5'er and we play drop C. But trying to tune back up to BEADG wouldn't be pretty.

[ixlramp]

I recommend building a set from singles optimised for switching between tunings EADG - CGCF.

Firstly choose the lowest gauge that is at roughly 30 pounds of tension (practical minimum) at C. Looking at the daddario tension chart pdf, and assuming roundwounds, this would be a .110, it would have 45 pounds at E, which is not particularly tight.

Secondly, to minimise tension imbalance at each tuning, choose gauges for the higher strings such that the set is tension balanced at the average tuning of DAbDbGb. The .110 at D has roughly 36 pounds. So the other gauges would be 80 60 45.

This method of balancing tensions at the average tuning is the method knuckle_head usually advises. At EADG the E will be slightly tighter than ADG. At CGCF the C will be slightly looser than GCF.

So I recommend 110 80 60 45 in D'Addario steel or nickel roundwounds, if you use a different brand the tensions may be a little different.

[ixlramp]

Same method using the Circle K tension Chart pdf ...

.112 .080 .058 .043 Circle K nickelplated roundwound. Singles available at Circle K Strings.

[samc2527]

I decided to leave one of my basses permanently set up and tuned for drop c- used a single 135 and a set of regular medium strings on the rest of the bass.

[Calaverasgrande]

I actually tried a lot of different tunings a while back. I even tried tuning in 5ths and 6ths instead of 4ths. (6ths was awful!)
I settled on C as the best comprimise. It sounds fine on medium guage strings and I like the tension I get using DR or dunlops. I actually like to be able to use vibrato and do some bends. My C on my stingray or my sterling are not floppy like the B on some intruments! Also, you can play just about every note that any bass tuned to E or D can play. I find some of those tunings are easier to finger in C.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

I actually tried a lot of different tunings a while back. I even tried tuning in 5ths and 6ths instead of 4ths. (6ths was awful!)

Respect for trying 6ths! I tune in fifths