string gauge for a low B? (with rotosound dropzone strings)

[Pumpkin_Howie]

Hey i want to be able to tune my 4string bass down to a low B (like on a 5 string) and noticed that rotosound offer string gauges 65-130 (65, 80, 105,130) for 4 string basses, is this enough to tune my bass from EADG to BEAD? or should i be getting the 85-175 (85, 105, 135,175) gauge of strings? thanks for any help!

[knuckle_head]

The .065-.130 set is meant for B tuning. The .085-.175 is meant for F# tuning.

BUT.....

.... if you have a .105 for E you are better served with a .142 or so for B - a .105 at E will have 43 pounds of tension - a .130 will have 35 pounds of tension at B. You will feel that 8 pounds, and the B string will misbehave.

The F# set has a .135 for B - that .135 will yield 39 pounds of tension and would be an improvement. But it, too, is a compromise.

I recommend a set that looks something like this;

.136 .100 .076 .055
or
.142 .106 .080 .058

[Pumpkin_Howie]

ok awesome =] cheers!