Gauge For Drop-tuning 35" Scale?

[Vice Animus]

I'm looking into buying an ESP LTD F-154DX (The ESP Guitar Company | 2011 USA Website) that has a 35" scale. The bridge is strung through-body, and judging by other threads on talkbass, it seems Ernie-balls should be long enough to string her up.

BUT... I don't know which string gauge I should use. I drop-tune to DADG and on my current bass (a cheap 34" fender p-bass rip off), and Ernie ball power slinkies 55-110 are tort enough for comfortable play. However, I am worried that on a 35" bass this gauge would put far too much pressure on the neck. Would it? If so, I was wandering if hybrid slinkies 45-105 would be good for drop-d on a 35".

Thanks in advance

[allexcosta]

It should be fine with this:

45
65
85
110

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

It should be fine with this:

45
65
85
110

These gauges would be alright for standard intervals, but not for drop tuning.

Look for something closer to;

.112 .076 .057 .041

[funknasty]

Try the DR DDT series strings. They are designed for drop tuning.

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

These gauges would be alright for standard intervals, but not for drop tuning.

Look for something closer to;

.112 .076 .057 .041

You know he's only dropping the E string, right?

[knuckle_head]

Yup I do . . .

.110 D - 36.1 pounds, .085 A - 49 pounds, .065 D - 51.5 pounds, .045 G - 47 pounds

.112 D - 38 pounds, .076 A - 40.2 pounds, .057 D - 40.7 pounds, .041 G - 38 pounds

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by funknasty

Try the DR DDT series strings. They are designed for drop tuning.

They are designed for dropping the entire set - not just the lowest string.

[FunkMetalBass]

OP, your .110 set will about 3 lbs more tension on the strings because of the scale length. It will not be excessive, though, so you wont have any problems with the neck and those strings.

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

They are designed for dropping the entire set - not just the lowest string.

Yup... when I had the (shudders) one set I tried, I tuned up to E std and the results were pretty bad. Almost to the point of unplayable the tension and stiffness was so high.

[Vice Animus]

Thanks everyone I think I'll try sticking to the 55-110's, and if they cause any great trouble or are too tense to be comfortable, maybe I'll try Hybrid Slinky G-D-A and a Power Slinky Low-D. Cheers!

[rockstarbassist]

EB's are nice but next time out try some Circle K's. :thu: Changed my life, as far as bass playing goes. Once you see the reasoning behind the balanced sets, it's like a completely new way of playing, and you want to use your higher strings!

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

Yup I do . . .

.110 D - 36.1 pounds, .085 A - 49 pounds, .065 D - 51.5 pounds, .045 G - 47 pounds

.112 D - 38 pounds, .076 A - 40.2 pounds, .057 D - 40.7 pounds, .041 G - 38 pounds

99.9% of string sets out there aren't balanced like that.

45-65-85-105 is a standard string set. Stuff people are used to. Getting a thicker low E will compensate for the drop tuning of that particular string.

I won't argue the balanced strings theory here as I'm sure your strings are great. Just trying to help him out.

[knuckle_head]

.105 @ E - 43 pounds

.110 @ D - 36 pounds

.120 @ D - 43 pounds

Jus'sayin' . . . .