I have no idea how to find out what gauges I need

wergwerg · #1 12-20-2011, 05:54 PM

Just as the title says. I play an Ibanez SR706 (34" scale), and I'm considering swapping out my current set of strings for a new set with a lower tuning, either a whole step down (A D G C F A#) or two whole steps down (G C F A# D# G#). Except I'm kind of dumb when it comes to figuring out what gauges and tensions etc. I'll need.

If you need any additional info feel free to ask, I probably left out something important hahaha.

ixlramp · #2 12-21-2011, 01:16 PM

Circle K Strings sells nickelplated roundwound sets for every possible detuned all-fourths tuning, right up to a gauge of .254 Circle K Strings - Standard Balanced 6 Strings. These 'balanced' sets have gauges carefully designed for equal tension strings, which results in nice tight low strings without over-tight high strings.

Which set depends on your preferred tension, what gauges do you like for standard BEADGC? or, if you tune different to standard, what gauges in what tuning feel right to you tensionwise?

The guys at Circle K Strings are very happy to help you find the right set if you email them through the site.

Circle K tension chart http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf

FunkMetalBass · #3 12-21-2011, 01:53 PM

I'd go with the Circle K Standard Balanced 182 or 190 set for 2-steps down, and the 166 or 174 set for 1-step down.

ixlramp · #4 12-21-2011, 06:55 PM

My own experience is that a low A needs to be a .145 or larger to avoid excessive floppiness and flabby tone. So for a whole step down you could build a custom set of singles from one of many mainstream brands that do a .145 (D'Addario, Ken Smith, Warwick etc.). A light and equal tension set would be something like 145 105 80 60 45 32. If you're in the USA: Build your own string set!

For 2 whole steps down it's either Circle K Strings or custom made strings from Octave 4 Plus.

Circle K also sell 'traditional tension' sets Circle K Strings - Standard Traditional 6 Strings where the tension gently rises from low to high, these will be slightly closer to the mainstream 'top heavy' sets you are probably used to. However i recommend the 'balanced' sets, there are many advantages as i see it.

You can use the CKS tension chart to discover what tension you like, and then use this value to choose your set. The chart can be used to approximate the tensions of other brands so you can also use it to design a custom set of single strings from another brand.

wergwerg · #5 12-21-2011, 07:44 PM

The Circle K .190 balanced set is looking pretty good to me, I think I'll go with that. Thanks guys!

SLaPiNFuNK · #6 12-21-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixlramp

My own experience is that a low A needs to be a .145 or larger to avoid excessive floppiness and flabby tone. So for a whole step down you could build a custom set of singles from one of many mainstream brands that do a .145 (D'Addario, Ken Smith, Warwick etc.). A light and equal tension set would be something like 145 105 80 60 45 32. If you're in the USA: Build your own string set!

Good options! As well as the Circle K especially for this kind of application...

What would be really cool is Rotosound Drop Zone: .175 .135 .105 .085 and add the appropriate singles to that... .060 .040

Probably the most economical option since the Drop Zones are probably the largest gauge factory packages readily available set...

FunkMetalBass · #7 12-22-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wergwerg

The Circle K .190 balanced set is looking pretty good to me, I think I'll go with that. Thanks guys!

I use the .200 set for my F# tuning and it feels great. My only complaint about the string is that my pickups don't make it sound as good and present as it is when I play it unplugged. I highly recommend everything Circle K makes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Good options! As well as the Circle K especially for this kind of application...

What would be really cool is Rotosound Drop Zone: .175 .135 .105 .085 and add the appropriate singles to that... .060 .040

Probably the most economical option since the Drop Zones are probably the largest gauge factory packages readily available set...

At normal retail prices, CKS would probably be the same price (maybe even cheaper), but your "accidentally fell off the back of a truck" prices make the Rotos the more economical choice.

Out of curiosity, are Circle K's something you have ever thought about stocking?

BeanzCorp · #8 12-22-2011, 12:30 PM

I've heard smaller gauges are better for slap, i've never compared though, is this true?

FunkMetalBass · #9 12-22-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeanzCorp

I've heard smaller gauges are better for slap, i've never compared though, is this true?

It really depends on your playing style and preferences. Generally, that's what people seem to like.

I recently took one of my basses (with the Balanced 150 set on a 35" scale) and started conducting a test by detuning it (since every half step is roughly equivalent to one gauge lighter). I found that my sweet slap/pop spot is somewhere between a half step and a whole step down.

If I were setting up a bass for slap, I'd probably use the .142 set (with a 34" scale) or the .136 set (with a 35" scale) for standard tuning. However, I don't realistically slap or tap enough to warrant converting my main bass over to the lighter gauge strings.