Standard D on 34' scale bass?

BrutalPigeon · #1 03-28-2010, 08:19 AM

Hello!

Can you please advice me, what gauge should i use to tune 4 string bass on D standard?

Thank you.

Bye

Jazz Ad · #2 03-28-2010, 08:22 AM

A tone below isn't much. Use a regular 4 string set, maybe a tad bigger than usual if your fear flopiness. 45-105 or maybe 50-110.

BrutalPigeon · #3 03-28-2010, 08:38 AM

Well i was using 110. - 55. ernie's for C# and tension was right, so will 105. - 50. ernie's be enough for D? I think that tension should be almost the same?

RickenBoogie · #4 03-28-2010, 04:14 PM

A set with a .110 D string will be fine, though I've tuned *up* from BEAD to D standard, and still have a .125 low D string. Talk about FAT.

The Ethanator · #5 03-28-2010, 07:20 PM

i use ernire ball 55/110's on my ibanez sr400qm for primarily D standard with no probems. youre better off with a medium 5-string set for anything lower, however. C# standard and drop C tend to bring some string slap

BrewCityLdB · #6 04-04-2010, 03:14 AM

GHS has long made a "heavy" set of Boomers (50-115) that I've found to be perfect for C#/C standard tuning on 34" scale basses. It might be a bit heavy to some players for D standard but with more and more manufacturers recognizing the demand for dropped tunings you should be able to find something to cover that gray area.

Before I discovered this set I was using the top 4 strings from 5 string sets but I also broke a lot of them because it was creating too much tension on a 4 string neck. Especially the "B" string. Guitarists thought I was uber-hardcore to learn I was breaking the heavy strings and while I'll admit the "ego boost" was fun it was also frustrating as hell to have to constantly replace them.