String help for my Fender Jazz

Katobaron · #1 11-23-2012, 08:34 PM

I'm playing a Geddy Lee Signature Fender Jazz and because I'm in a few bands (of very differing genres), my tuning fluctuates between standard and Drop C. To compensate for the floppy C I wanted to string the bass with DDT Drop Tuning strings (115-95-75-55) and change tunings on a fairly regular basis (a few times a week). I don't have the money for a new bass and I really don't want to hurt the jazz as it's the best bass I've owned so far. Would the higher tension strings ruin the neck when tuned up to EADG?

SLaPiNFuNK · #2 11-23-2012, 08:59 PM

What are you tuning to the majority of the time?

Katobaron · #3 11-23-2012, 09:02 PM

It depends on who I play with the most based on scheduling but usually standard. I would keep it in standard and just suck it up with the loose C but the heavier drop tuned band is about a week away from playing shows and I want to be able to have a clean live sound.

SLaPiNFuNK · #4 11-23-2012, 09:22 PM

So it sounds like you are the majority of the time in EADG standard and then go down to CADG?

If this is the case, I would just go with a set that looks like .115 .085 .065 .045, you can put together more balanced options but if you are a traditional 45-105 player this will suit you well.

.115 will work and be solid for E tuning, and still function well as a CADG set.

Katobaron · #5 11-23-2012, 09:35 PM

Usually down to CGCF but the C is the only one giving me trouble. Just don't want to harm the bass I'm currently financing on minimum wage retail pay haha. Thank you!

SLaPiNFuNK · #6 11-23-2012, 09:37 PM

There are things you can do to help spread that minimum wage dollah

CGCF then you can do a .090 .070 .050 w/ the .115 but I would do .085 .065 .050 to help smoothen out the tension... DDT's the .045 .065 .085 will work down a whole step just fine though...

ixlramp · #7 11-23-2012, 10:14 PM

^ Yeah the top 3 strings of that DDT set will be dangerously tight in standard, you need a custom set of single strings with a .110 or .115 for E/C, just tight enough for good tone in C but not too tight in E. I suggest 110/115 80 60 45.
EDIT http://www.bassstringsonline.com/ is an excellent place to build a custom set.

SLaPiNFuNK · #8 11-23-2012, 10:22 PM

^
(FWIW / DDT's are available as singles so you can make the above set using DDT's)