Need Reco: Dark/low for 1-step-detuned 4-string

[Zapp]

I need help friends.

I am refitting a Hamer Cruise 2Tek Bass with strings, possibly requiring a nut change, and one or 2 pickups changed.
I like playing a 4-string tuned down one whole step.
I have been using the wrong strings, which were DR High Beams. I think the gauge is a 105 on the bottom. Too bright, too flabby in this tuning, probably too small/light.

I would like to substantially darken/deepen the low tones on this bass. I need more string tension than what I am now getting, as I have had to jack up the string height too much to avoid string-rattle against the uppermost frets - at the same time adjusting my right hand further and further back [my shoulder hurts].

What strings would someone recommend I try?? I'm pretty handy in the shop so don't mind modifying my graphite nut or cutting a new one - i have some stock out there to use if need be.

[fourfinger]

D'Addario Chromes, very definitely. I have them on my 2tek right now.

[knuckle_head]

Are you dropping the entire set down? Look for a .112 or thereabouts on bottom for D.

My strings may be too bright for you.

[Zapp]

yep, all four tuned down whole step.

its for sure the high beams were a poor choice though it took me awhile to realize that. they are too flabby and too bright.

the best would be a dark-oriented vibe and high tension. I admit to being ignorant of the string tension factor...

[Dave Siff]

La Bella makes a set designed for DGCF tuning. I used them for years before switching to 5-string, and they are great. Highly recommended. The gauges are .054-.075-.090-.111.
http://www.juststrings.com/lab-m70.html

[Zapp]

what a great piece of info Dave! i had no idea. so I'm not the only odd duck out there, eh? I like the tuning a lot... works great for things written more for keyboards

[Dave Siff]

Originally Posted by Zapp

what a great piece of info Dave! i had no idea. so I'm not the only odd duck out there, eh?

You are not alone. I joined a band in 2002 where the guitarist tuned down a whole step, so I did the same. Once I had that low D, I couldn't go back. Wound up using DGCF tuning almost exclusively through a succession of bands, except on songs where an open E or A was essential. I did DGCF with .045-.105 strings for a couple of years until I stumbled on those La Bellas. They are amazing.
Last year, I started playing with a guitarist who likes C and C#, and the proverbial other shoe dropped. Now it's 5-string or bust..

[Zapp]

understandable. if you need the low C, that's the ticket. I'm playing both, using a longterm borrowed sr505, but my hands etc much prefer my cruiser 4-banger. currently shopping for a 5'er I can live with.

[rockstarbassist]

Well of course you won't like the "dark" toanez from Hi-Beams. :facepalm: That's not what they're made for! And specifically the complete opposite.

If you want something darker look at DR's DDT or Lo-Rider Stainless sets. .110s would do you well. I would recommend Circle K's as well but if Hi-Beams are too bright, these might be also.

[Zapp]

rockstar - i know... I had a diff idea in mind then, vs. now. high-b's are good strings, just wrong match with the particular ax unless you're doing the big slap & pinch

[FunkMetalBass]

It sounds like you really need to do a fret level first. Have you tried raising your pickups too? Pickups that are too far away can great reduce the bass output on your pickups.

My string recommendation will likely be to try some heavy-gauge flats - they're dark and stuff.

[fourfinger]

Before you do any mods, I recommend at least trying Chromes .105s -- you can get them used in the classifieds cheaply and resell them if you don't like so you have literally nothing to lose. Meanwhile, messing with gauge changes

I have them on my 2tek. The band I play with tunes down a half step all the time, and I occasionally "Drop D" from there (i.e. drop my "E" string from Eb to Db).

The two things that make it work:

1) Chromes have unusually high tension, so when tuned down their tension feels pretty normal and

2) a .105 flatwound feels thicker under your finger than a comparable roundwound

3) nice DEEEP tone

Oh, that's three.

[Zapp]

Well, here's what I did. Took another tip and ordered Webstrings 110' heavy Flatwound. Installed them yesterday and took to a rehearsal last night. Similar to what fourfinger said of the Chromes he recommends, the string tension was markedly greater than the DR's I took off. The whole geometry was in need of changing since the neck moved a little, my already high string clearance got a tad higher, I was able to move my pickups back to a more normal position, and I get almost no fret/string buzz now. Not sure I like the tone however. I'm going to be honest about this: the comparison is that I've been using a borrowed SR505 with ordinary stainless strings. I had to reset my Roland EQ20 dramatically as the output from the Cruisebass is something like 30% less than the synthy SR. I don't really like the bottom I'm getting, but at least some of the playability issues are cured by the Flatwounds. Tone for tone, the SR has good fat lows [D, E, etc] but lousy playability and other issues I won't go into here. At any rate, the string change on the 2Tek was definitely in the right direction. I don't have a ref point to compare these Webstring flats with other "Chromes"

[Kyon`]

I think the DR DDT bass strings are what you're looking for.