If I detune, what guage do I need?

sikamikanico · #1 06-01-2006, 09:55 AM

Hi!

I play detuned all the time, so I guess I should pick strings with different guages, right? Anyway, I detuned all the strings for one whole step (EADG --> DGCF), so guages 45-65-80-100 should now be... what?

on the other hand, if I don't like thicker strings, I should get someone to set my neck right, right? I guess less tension is the explanation behind the buzzing sound and actually some of the notes aren't right and I bend strings a little sometimes, so that the sound "feels" OK...

anyway, what guages do I need for DGCF?

thanks!

Jure

KJackman · #2 06-01-2006, 10:07 AM

Hey Jure. I used to have this same problem when I had a heavy originals band (Dropped C !!). I ended up taking my bass to a local luthier shop and had them set it up. Basically they advised a 105-50 set and adjusted the truss rod etc. Another very important thing though is to have your intonation done for the new tuning, else you will not be a happy camper. No more buzzing or intonation problems after that was done.

Incidentally, I had a standard tuning gig in a cover band at the same time, when I tuned it up the strings came a good bit more off the fret board and the intonation was a little off but close enough for rock and roll (and top 40 junk...blech I feel dirty). By the end of the year I could break beer bottles with my hands from playng it in standard

ManuelJG · #3 06-01-2006, 11:33 AM

You should take the bass for adjustment, I actually tune in DbAbDbGb and I use heavy gauge strings (50-115)

sikamikanico · #4 06-03-2006, 02:28 AM

thx, ppl, this helps a lot!

Dave Siff · #5 06-03-2006, 09:34 AM

Hey Jure,
La Bella makes a custom set of Hard Rockin' Steels specifically for D-G-C-F tuning. The gauges are 54-75-90-111. These are great strings. I put them on a bass that had been tuned standard, and the bass required no adjustments at all. The neck stayed straight and the strings intonated perfectly. You can get them through juststrings.com if you can't find them locally.
I just put a set of Ernie Ball Power Slinkies on one of my D-G-C-F basses. The gauges are 55-75-90-110.. pretty much the same as the La Bellas. I'm playing my first gig with them today, so we'll see how it goes, but in rehearsal they sounded great.