New Bass! Help with plans...

[Brutal Bob]

This is actually going to be a multiple question post which I will undoubtedly get flamed for... anyway...

To start I will be picking up my new Ibanez BTB 775 in a couple weeks...

I have been playing with a metal band similar to Lamb of God. We all play in drop c. My playing style is very much like guitar playing. I use a pick and I don't sit on root notes and what not. I am very happy with my tone right now. It sounds a mix between the original bassist from Chevelle (listen to clincher) and Fieldy (I know he sucks... blah blah). Its very gritty, deep and still punchy. Mids on the amp are slightly cut, lows and highs boosted on amp and highs boosted on bass. I really want to either improve this tone or at least keep it this way. Also, I would like similar string tension.

Current Gear:

Spector 4 String (Neck through, EMG HZ, Low C is a 110 S.I.T String)
Fender Rumble 350 head (new and improved series) w/ 410 cab. Overdrive is cranked but only slightly blended into the clean tone. (I seriously endorse this amp)

Sooo....

1. To tune into CGCFA, what is a a good string to compliment my tone and what gauge should I use?

2. Should I go crazy and try GCGCF/ACGCF/Other low tuning? Would that low string break all my ****, blow my speakers and kill the neighbor's cat or just sound tight and low without a nasty muddy sound?

3. How should I set my new BTB to achieve/improve my initial tone?

[darkstorm]

Id say use whatever roundwounds you most like in a gauge suitable for the tuning in either medium or light guage. I favor DR roundcore strings, but rotosounds swing 66 would be another great choice imo.

[Brutal Bob]

Got the bass now and have already wasted lots o' money experimenting. I have a show next week...

What strings will allow me to get good tone and tension with ACGCF. Looking for bright punchy tone here...

The 3 guitar techs in my area act like this has never been done before and the only thing I can find on the internet is "Keep the bass tuned BEADG and compensate". Ever try to do a bunch of hammer ons from D to C using a B string? Already tried it, it doesn't sound right. I don't have time to rewrite bass lines as I'm sure that some might suggest, nor do I want to, my band loves the bass lines.

If anyone has some good, intelligent advice, I would be greatly indebted to you.

[JimmyM]

My idea of bright punchy tone may not be yours. Strings are a personal choice. But in your case, I'd probably use steels over nickels. Other than that, you're on your own.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by Brutal Bob

What strings will allow me to get good tone and tension with ACGCF. Looking for bright punchy tone here...

No problem this is totally possible with the right strings and gauges. I have owned 2 BTBs and tuned to A for a few years, i found that the gauge needs to be at least a .145 for A to avoid an excessively floppy string and keep a good tone. Even a .145 is at a light tension at A. To acheive an even tension across the strings in ACGCF you need to build a custom set from single strings. You'll need to widen the lowest 2 nut slots, be very careful not to deepen the slots and make sure the slot floors retain their curved valley shape.

You can use the D'Addario tension charts http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf to choose gauges to give you equal tension strings. These charts can be used to approximate the tension of other brands. The most complete and useful chart is the one for XL nickelplated roundwounds.
Here's a good place to Build your own string set!.
What gauges to choose depends on your preference for tension. Look up the tension of your favourite gauge for a standard E string, and then use that tension value to choose gauges for ACGCF.
For example if you like a light .095 E with 34 pounds tension choose .145 .125 .080 .060 .045 at 33-35 pounds tension.

Also consider Circle K Strings Circle K Strings - Single Strings - All tensions,scales, gauges. These are excellent hybrid nickel-steel strings and they have big gauges (up to .254) for low tunings so you can have a tight punchy A. Whether they are bright enough for you i don't know hopefully someone here will share their experience.
See the Circle K tension chart here: http://circlekstrings.com/CKSIMAGES/...nsionChart.pdf. Look up the tension of your favourite gauge for a standard E string, and then use that tension value to choose gauges for ACGCF.
For example if you like a 100 E with roughly 39 pounds tension choose .158 .130 .086 .063 .047. A Circle K .150 or .158 can then be detuned to G without becoming muddy or excessively floppy..
The guys at Circle K are awesome and are happy to help you choose gauges for any weird and/or ultralow tuning.

[Brutal Bob]

Obviously, this was not the first time I had heard of Circle K but after reading your post directed at my situation I decided to just go ahead and try them...

After some cross referencing my current string gauges and tuning to find the right feel, I went ahead and ordered using their tension chart. I found that I like between a 35-40 lb tension with low action.

I ordered a single 150 for the A and a 4 string set of drop tuned strings for the rest of the set.

It came out to be:

A- .150
C- .124
G- .082
C- .061
F- .045

Immediately after ordering, I sent an email asking to ship them as soon as possible. I received a personal email within 2 hours from somebody saying "I promise they will be shipped today".

I literally live on the other side off the country and had my strings in hand 48 hours later. Needless to say, I was happy but not relieved as I wasn't even sure that they would work yet. My tech, who hates Ibanez (mostly for the experience he has dealing with the company itself), told me that I received an awesome production of that guitar and might have been the nicest non American/Japanese bass he has seen in a while. He also mentioned that only one fret came up a little during shipping, which he banged back in right away and barely any filing was needed for the nut. Once he smoothed out the edges of the frets, completed the setup and went over the electronics, I rushed the bass to the practice space, still wearing my suit from work and plugged in.

I was blown away... everything was absolutely perfect. I feel like I found the holy grail...

Thanks for your help and the last push to go with Circle K, ixlramp, I feel like sending you some of the money you saved me.