Steel strings? Heavy Gauge? Not many options?!

[metalguy2]

I have noticed that since I have been a bass player I have always been particular about my gauges and tuning.

Recently I had found an AWESOME sweet spot by tuning Standard D (sometimes C#) and using .55 to .110 gauge stainless steel D'addario strings. However, I had found these just a little TOO bright for my liking. (The string noise from me sliding up and down the neck actually rang through the mix of a jam session causing a couple... *** was that noise?!

A friend of mine pointed me to DR Strings but both Lo Riders and the Hi Beams gauges stopped at .50 .

I don't really want to waste a bunch of money finding that the .05 made the strings a little too loose. This is important for me because I intend on being able to go to C# without it being too clanky

I just want to get a feeler for what some of you other guys do for tuning that low with stainless strings. Seems like there might be more options for nickel.

Please excuse me if I sound like a moron to some.

[FunkMetalBass]

Circle K are reasonably bright (nickel-plated steel) and they have great selections of gauges (specifically, a Balanced 112 set).

As well, have you tried rolling off your tone a bit?

[glenb73]

There's more options for nickel..the Ernie Ball Power Slinky brand are 55-75-95-110...Also you have Dunlop Heavy 50-70-90-110. I use these strings because we play everything 1/2 step down, and a bunch of songs the low the D# goes down to C#.
These 2 brands have worked for me, but i have wasted way too much money on strings trying out various brands and gauges.

[metalguy2]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Circle K are reasonably bright (nickel-plated steel) and they have great selections of gauges (specifically, a Balanced 112 set).

As well, have you tried rolling off your tone a bit?

I definitely didn't...

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by metalguy2

I definitely didn't...

Eh, you always have to ask the seemingly obvious questions first. I'm the same way about my tone - wide open. If you have a passive tone control, you could always experiment with smaller capacitors in an attempt to cut only the harsh high end that is causing you troubles.

[Metal Mitch]

Originally Posted by metalguy2

Recently I had found an AWESOME sweet spot by tuning Standard D (sometimes C#) and using .55 to .110 gauge stainless steel D'addario strings. However, I had found these just a little TOO bright for my liking.

A friend of mine pointed me to DR Strings but both Lo Riders and the Hi Beams gauges stopped at .50 .

LaBella HRS, M70 set. Designed for D standard tuning. 54-75-90-111.

Originally Posted by metalguy2

I don't really want to waste a bunch of money finding that the .05 made the strings a little too loose. This is important for me because I intend on being able to go to C# without it being too clanky

for C# I custom ordered a more balanced LaBella set. 54-75-95-128.

You can get either or both (or any custom order) cheap from Imperial Guitars.