Strings for drop B on a 5 string?

[IbanezBass69]

As the title suggests, I tune my 5 string bass B, F#, B, E G#. This means the B string remains a B string, but all the other strings are tuned up to their respective notes. This makes the tension crazy high, and it makes it hard to play some of the faster passages, and is just generally fatiguing to my hands. Anyone have any ideas as far as string gauges to help me out? This is on a Warwick Rockbass Corvette 5. The only thing I want to keep is the .135 B string, I like the way it feels/sounds.

[pbasswil]

I guess what I would do is go to a place like juststrings.com, go to their "Singles Strings" section and then their own brand. Make some educated guesses at what is going to work for you -- obviously choosing thinner for higher strings. Buy a few extras in in-between gauges, just to be safe.
It's a bit expensive, but that way you can experiment until you're happy.

Once you settle on some gauges, you can order in their Bulk Strings section -- 6 of each gauge in a bag. This is much cheaper.

However, I would buy a name brand .135 B string -- JustString's aren't very good (personally I go with Elixirs for the low B). The higher strings are fine though, imho.

[rockstarbassist]

Why not just order a custom set from Circle K where basically you're using a 6 string set less the low E? That way you don't have to mess with all that tuning up which I too very much dislike.

[ixlramp]

Circle K Strings sell 5 string 'drop tune' sets designed to have equal tension on each string in the drop tuning: Circle K Strings - Standard Drop-tuned 5 Strings

They do a .136 set:

5 String Set - Drop Tune Standard 136
.136 .092 .068 .049 .035

[IbanezBass69]

Sounds like Circle K is the way to go. Ill order a set sometime soon and see how well they work. Thanks for the tips so far guys!

[walterw]

there you go; a regular B and an extra-light G through E.

[darkstorm]

Originally Posted by walterw

there you go; a regular B and an extra-light G through E.

Maybe 35, 55, 70, 90? Rotosound swing 66 offers that. They also do set for 30, 50, 65, 85. Then buy seperate low B.

[Jay2U]

I'd certainly go for thinner strings, but that could bring the need for another nut.

Keep on playing subsonically!