heavier tunings

[thatdude]

Drop b, a? Best gauges?

[locriansharpsec]

theres a thread below on Circle K strings which has pages of info that will probably answer your question for you there...

[Josh Pelican]

For Drop B, I prefer:
.130 .098 .073 .055.

Assuming you mean Drop A, you might like:
.142 .106 .079 .059

It really depends on what sort of tension you like. What do you use for your E string?

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by thatdude

Drop b, a? Best gauges?

Go with what you know - and compare to what you like for standard E.

In general, consensus has 'normal' tensions hovering between 38 and 41 pounds. Use my tension chart; http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf or D'Addario's tension chart; http://www.daddariostrings.com/Resou...sion_chart.pdf to see what gauges will put you in that three to four pound ball park.

B in that 3 pound ball park is a .136 to .142. A would be .150 to .158.

[Josh Pelican]

I was close!

I have the .130 set for Drop B and I really like it. I wouldn't mind trying the .136, though.

[ixlramp]

Drop B and drop A? For drop tunings i suggest a special set where the lowest gauge is increased to compensate for it being dropped by a tone, to avoid floppiness. Normal sets already have the lowest string looser than the others, so dropping it by a tone will make it far too loose.

Either build a set from singles with strings at equal tension or buy a 'drop tune' set form Circle K Strings these are designed to have strings at equal tension in a drop tuning: Circle K Strings - Standard Drop-tuned 6 Strings (i linked to the 6 string drop tune sets since i don't know your string count, there are 4 and 5 string drop tune sets also).

[thatdude]

[quote="Josh Pelican"

It really depends on what sort of tension you like. What do you use for your E string?[/QUOTE]

I am currently using .110 I needed a heavier sound from my 4 string and I need it to be thicker

[rockstarbassist]

Thanks Mods for listening about that drop/detuning FAQ/sticky thread...

[ixlramp]

If you were tuned to standard EADG what gauge would you prefer for the E?

Do you need a set that can switch between drop B and drop A? Or are you asking for gauge recommendations for each of those tunings?

[thatdude]

I need a set than can switch between the two on a 4-string

[ixlramp]

Okay by drop B and drop A i've assumed you mean BF#BE and AEAD.
Custom set of single strings 145 95 70 50 (From experience D'Addario ProSteels are excellent 145s, bright and aggressive).
Or this drop tune set from Circle K Strings .142 .094 .070 .053 (top loading bridge only).
In both cases ... the tension will be even across the strings in drop tunings, the tension will be light in drop A and medium in drop B.

[S6I6X]

To be honest I have tried a bunch of different strings and the only ones that are worth playing dropped down like that are DR DDTs (drop down tuning). I play drop b and Before I found those strings I was going mad trying to get custom sets and stuff that weren't super floppy and sounded like a##.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by S6I6X

To be honest I have tried a bunch of different strings and the only ones that are worth playing dropped down like that are DR DDTs (drop down tuning). I play drop b and Before I found those strings I was going mad trying to get custom sets and stuff that weren't super floppy and sounded like a##.

You got one more to try . . . .

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by S6I6X

To be honest I have tried a bunch of different strings and the only ones that are worth playing dropped down like that are DR DDTs (drop down tuning). I play drop b and Before I found those strings I was going mad trying to get custom sets and stuff that weren't super floppy and sounded like a##.

You couldn't find a nice tight B string? D'Addaroio, Warwick and Ken Smith do .145s. 145 95 70 50 would make a tight drop B equivalent to a 105 E. There are also lots of brands that work well down to A. It's a case of using a large enough gauge and a flexible string (preferably 3 wraps), for A it needs to be at the very least a .145, the D'Addario .145s are bright, clear and flexible and sound excellent at A. SIT, Octave4Plus and Circle K Strings also make strings large enough to be very tight at A such as .166 .174 and .182.

[S6I6X]

It was also annoying having strings that were so think. The DDTs are extremely stiff for their gauge. I also play with my fingers and do a lot o fast stuff that would sound so sloppy and have lots of clicks without them.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by S6I6X

The DDTs are extremely stiff for their gauge.

Tonally, this may not be a good thing.

I found I prefer a thicker slinky string.

[thatdude]

This sucks, the only strings I've ever worked with were ernie balls. I've never tried any other string brands, and I would also have to file down my nut

[knuckle_head]

If you could get a replacement nut or have someone make you an appropriately slotted new one, that would leave you the option of going back to where you are.

[S6I6X]

If you use DDTs you wouldn't have to file down anything because they are normal gauges but they have a thicker core.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by S6I6X

If you use DDTs you wouldn't have to file down anything because they are normal gauges but they have a thicker core.

DDTs aren't made thick enough for A - they're barely big enough for B