string gauge for C# standard?

muzikluver517 · #1 08-15-2011, 08:52 AM

I am joining a new metalcore band that plays alot in C# standard and was curious of anyone who may have experience in this tuning? Its fast paced so I usually pick play to keep up and don't want my strings to flop! But I do NOT want to sacrifice tone or damage my instrument! That's another good question! Should I have my bass set up for this tuning??

FunkMetalBass · #2 08-15-2011, 09:01 AM

Yes, you should have your bass set up for it.

I tune my bass to Drop C#, and I keep a .124 on the bottom, but I like a lot of tension. If you prefer less tension, a .120 or a .115 would be to your liking.

I'd recommend a set of Circle K's Balanced strings (either the 124, 118, or 112), or creating your own set of your preferred brand that emulate the Circle K gauges.

muzikluver517 · #3 08-15-2011, 09:13 AM

Starting to think I should have just bought a damn 5 string!! Haha well thanks for the advice! With the .124 on the the bottom how does that feel tension wise relative to E standard? I've played in alot of different tunings but never this low!

FunkMetalBass · #4 08-15-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzikluver517

Starting to think I should have just bought a damn 5 string!! Haha well thanks for the advice! With the .124 on the the bottom how does that feel tension wise relative to E standard? I've played in alot of different tunings but never this low!

The .124 at C# is about the same tension-wise as a .105 E-string.

If you prefer a .100 E-string, you'd be happy with the .118 set.
If you prefer a .105 E-string, you'd be happy with the .124 set.
If you prefer a .110 E-string, you'd be happy with the .130 set.

muzikluver517 · #5 08-15-2011, 10:53 AM

Awesome bro! Thanks... UPS is delivering my new bass today and I want to have her set up for practice in a few days! I do believe you just saved me quite a bit of time on debating(with myself) as to which way to go with my setup... I just wasn't sure if the stock bridge and saddle could accommadate a .124+ im partial to DR strings and they have an extra heavy set of DDT's which are .125 .102 .85 .65 think ill give it a shot... plus I forgot to mention this is the first guitar I've owned with a neck through design... not sure if the neck requires "special" attention or should be cautious about string tension

knuckle_head · #6 08-15-2011, 11:06 AM

Careful - you might find the treble side of that set might tight.

Their .125 will pull about 42 pounds. The .102 at F# will be 51 pounds. The .085 will give you in excess of 61 pounds at B, and the .065 at E will have more than 62 pounds on it.

Consider sets that are closer to;

.124 .094 .070 .053
or
.124 .094 .073 .055

rockstarbassist · #7 08-15-2011, 11:16 AM

The CK's will eat the DDT's for lunch, in my experience.
C# std is a fun tuning that I keep my at-home bass tuned to most of the time, if not C std.
Why would you need a 5 string? If you're doing "metalcore" you'll probably be doubling a lot of the guitars and you'll pretty much need to do a lot of the same open string notes w/ hammer ons/offs, harmonics, etc..
No need to be afraid of alternate tunings.

It's just something else to learn and add to your arsenal!

My main bass is a neck-thru and all you need is a simple setup for that tuning to get the bass properly intonated and get after it.

muzikluver517 · #8 08-15-2011, 12:02 PM

Well looks like I will be attempting this setup myself... local retailer wants almost $50!! Uhh what? Im in the wrong line of work if that's the going rate! Might have to go with a lighter gauge than I wanted to avoid having to re slot the nut but the rest is easy peasey! How can they charge that for a basic setup! Just give the neck a bit more relief...

rockstarbassist · #9 08-15-2011, 12:40 PM

I've found that if you're going to get a bass and "leave it" in an alternate or dropped tuning, it's worth having it setup once by a pro.
I'm not 100% adept at doing my own setups, but my main bass is setup for drop C and so when I change strings, really all I have to do is barely (if at all) adjust the relief and I'm golden. I use consistently the same set, brand and tension strings so no intonation really is necessary.
My setup is about $25 though so I feel your pain!

muzikluver517 · #10 08-15-2011, 12:47 PM

Id gladly pay $25! But take into consideration that you have to buy a set of strings on top if the cost for the setup! Not sure what your rockin bro but I mainly play on DR's and they hit me for about $30-$35 a set... add that to a setup charge of $50!!! Did I mention I just bought this bass Haha! God love impatient people!! But I wanna have it done and be able to sit and settle in for a couple days before I melt some faces \\m//

rockstarbassist · #11 08-15-2011, 12:51 PM

The CK's are very affordable compared to the DR's, if you haven't checked the website yet.
But I know how you feel.

When I was gigging 3x basses per show, all in different tunings and setups, THAT got real expensive, REAL quick.

Luckily it was for cover gigs and we made some mad $$ so it wasn't as big of a deal.

FunkMetalBass · #12 08-15-2011, 01:20 PM

I'd recommend against those DR DDT's. I like DR strings, but those sets are quite poorly designed and I've heard that the tone is mediocre at best. YMMV, but for the same cost, a set of CK's or creating your own set from single strings is a much better option.

EDIT: Also, regarding a setup, you can do it yourself for free. Making accommodations with the nut will be the absolute hardest part, and even that's not difficult if you just take a few minutes with some sand paper and a small drill bit. If you choose to pay $30-50 for a good setup, there's peace of mind in knowing that, for the most part (unless you change strings and tunings again), it's a one-time deal requiring only minor truss rod and intonation adjustments every so often.

muzikluver517 · #13 08-15-2011, 04:18 PM

Well it will have to wait for now... went in to elderly instruments(about the only shop around my area I will trust to touch my gear) and they have a waiting list in their repair shop! 3-5 weeks!!! Yeah you heard me right! So needless to say I through a set of .110's on for now and will deal with the flop & buzz until I can get her tightened up! Quoted me $60 with the set of strings which is more than I wanted to pay but do-able but when he told me how long I could do nothing but laugh and walk out! I will attempt myself before I pay that amount and have to wait that long! For $60 I should be able to go mess around in the amp room for an hour tops and take my gear home!

FunkMetalBass · #14 08-15-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzikluver517

Well it will have to wait for now... went in to elderly instruments(about the only shop around my area I will trust to touch my gear) and they have a waiting list in their repair shop! 3-5 weeks!!! Yeah you heard me right! So needless to say I through a set of .110's on for now and will deal with the flop & buzz until I can get her tightened up! Quoted me $60 with the set of strings which is more than I wanted to pay but do-able but when he told me how long I could do nothing but laugh and walk out! I will attempt myself before I pay that amount and have to wait that long! For $60 I should be able to go mess around in the amp room for an hour tops and take my gear home!

Most good techs will set up the bass and let it sit for a day or two, then go over it again. Wood sometimes takes a few days to fully settle in to the changes.

3-5 weeks is a bit excessive, though. I'd suggest learning to set up your own bass.

DeathFromBelow · #15 08-15-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

I'd suggest learning to set up your own bass.

+1

It's something every bassist should know how to do.

Might seem a bit unnerving at first, but let's face it; it ain't rocket-science...

muzikluver517 · #16 08-16-2011, 07:24 AM

Yeah I agree... like I said, through a set of .110's on raised the action a bit and set intonation and Bam! Little loose for my taste but all it cost me was a set of strings! gonna check out a set of circle k's balanced sets to see if I can get the tension where im more comfortable!

knuckle_head · #17 08-16-2011, 08:39 AM

If I know what is comfortable for you at E standard I can hook you up.

muzikluver517 · #18 08-16-2011, 12:03 PM

I don't know the actual tension specs but I usually have a .100 or a .105 for my E...

muzikluver517 · #19 08-16-2011, 12:19 PM

Well I can't order the circle k's... apparently their taper is different and will not work with my bridge as its a through body design...

Josh Pelican · #20 08-16-2011, 12:23 PM

I'm positive that Circle K strings will still fit. A .124 isn't that much bigger.