For those who play heavier music in down tuning: READ

Sylex's Bassist · #1 05-06-2009, 10:52 PM

dude, downtuning basically ruins the string tension (if you play in standard tuning at a normal tension) to the point where the strings just flop and rattle.

to fix that, buy some stiffer, you can buy some long scale strings (i use DR Lo-Riders 5 set, they work perfect because they are compressino wound around a hexagonal core) and when your changing strings, while winding the peg manually, just dont let the string have any slack.

it worked perfectly for me. i use a five string, and i normally play tuned

Standard What I PLay
G F
D C
A G
E C
B G

(which is everything down a whole step, but the bottom two strings down an ADDITIONAL whole step, much how Ryan Martinie plays)

just by changing the strings with little or no slack on my bass (and help from a friend while i changed strings) it completely helped the tension. even at two whole steps down, my bass' tension is like normal in standard tuning. its awesome.

however, if you change tunings rather frequently and if your tuning down that much, you might have to re-set up your bass more frequently than you change socks, but my bass is a double truss rod, so i dont even have to deal with that. you will have to adjust the neck truss and saddle height a little after you first change the strings.

also, you might want to try changing out the tuners to stay accurate while tuning down. a new bridge would help too. i suggest a badass or a hipshot.

hope it helps

the only strings i use anymore are DR LO-RIDERS. they are compression-wound around a hexagonal core. not only are they long, but they sound AMAZING a five string set at a local music store is about forty bucks, but these strings are worth it. hands down the best ive ever played.

they also work really well for down-tuning (if you wind em on the peg nice and tight) even all the way down to drop C.

anyway, they rock, hope it helps.

again, just to re-itterate

DR LO RIDERS

5 SET=ABOUT 40$

BUY THESE IF YOU PLAY DOWN TUNED OR LIKE A CLASSIC METAL SOUND

All_¥our_Bass · #2 05-08-2009, 10:36 AM

I actually like my strings to be kind of loose and clanky.
I use a Stainless Steel Rotosound Swing Bass 95 75 65 40 set on my four tuned to to DGCF.

But when it gets past a certain point it does require bigger strings, my lowest string starts to flab up pretty good in C# or lower.

lorenk · #3 05-08-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylex's Bassist

while winding the peg manually, just dont let the string have any slack.

um....I don't follow the logic on that there assertion...

Solarmist · #4 05-08-2009, 04:26 PM

There are a lot of hex-core nickel-plated rounds out there - I prefer SIT Powerwounds that cost about $18 for a 5er set. They're warm/bright, and last a while.

My 4-banger is tuned DGCF using a SIT Powerwound custom gauge set 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 - works great.

Darkstrike · #5 05-08-2009, 04:29 PM

I use heavy guage Roto flats, 130 - 65, tuned BEAD(and has a Hipshot for Drop A), I get by just fine, in fact Lowrides feel loose to me. 35" scale too.

knumbskull · #6 05-08-2009, 04:35 PM

interesting about keeping up the tension during winding - that's how i normally change my strings anyway. anyone else notice the difference??

FWIW, i play one of my basses in drop C - 125 / 90 / 70 / 50 is the best string guage setup I've found so far. steels.

never tried Lo Riders, they are not so common in the UK. i'll check 'em out.

ErebusBass · #7 05-08-2009, 04:36 PM

You could find a better price than that for those strings. Look around.

lowendgenerator · #8 05-08-2009, 04:44 PM

I play CGCF and I also use DR Lo Riders. The .045, .065 and .085 hold their tension well tuned down a full step, but I replace the .105 with a .115, Just for some balance and stiffness.

I want to try a 5 string tuned GCGCF, that would be interesting. But, wouldn't a standard .125 get really floppy tuned down 2 whole steps?

Darkstrike · #9 05-08-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I want to try a 5 string tuned GCGCF, that would be interesting. But, wouldn't a standard .125 get really floppy tuned down 2 whole steps?

Its floppy in standard!

jointus · #10 05-09-2009, 06:20 AM

Rather than tune down I use a low F# set tuned up half a step.
Better tension and no floppiness.

wizay · #11 05-09-2009, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All_¥our_Bass

I actually like my strings to be kind of loose and clanky.
I use a Stainless Steel Rotosound Swing Bass 95 75 65 40 set on my four tuned to to DGCF.

+1

btw Billy sheehans BEAD bass is strung with a 175 :O

knuckle_head · #12 05-09-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jointus

Rather than tune down I use a low F# set tuned up half a step.
Better tension and no floppiness.

You using SITs .165 for that?

jointus · #13 05-09-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

You using SITs .165 for that?

Yes. My four string is strung with SIT .165, .135, .110, and .080
Tuned in fourths:G C F A# (Half step up from low F# B E A)

svp · #14 05-10-2009, 08:53 AM

I have a older Spector Euro 4LX I love the sound of but going to heavier guage strings would mean altering the nut to get them to fit it and it has brass nut. If I file the nut then going back to regular guage would mean replacing the nut or getting a different nut to fit the heavy guage strings now. Why not just play a 5er?

Brick Top · #15 05-10-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErebusBass

You could find a better price than that for those strings. Look around.

$40 for 5 sets! There is cheaper out there? Where? Where is the $40 for 5 sets for that matter?

Cheers,
BT

Darkstrike · #16 05-10-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brick Top

$40 for 5 sets! There is cheaper out there? Where? Where is the $40 for 5 sets for that matter?

Cheers,
BT

He didn't say 5 sets, read again.

He said a 5 set, as in a 5 string set = $40.

Brick Top · #17 05-10-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

He didn't say 5 sets, read again.

He said a 5 set, as in a 5 string set = $40.

Duh! My bad. Sorry!

Cheers,
BT

bryan3375 · #18 05-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenk

um....I don't follow the logic on that there assertion...

Gonna have to go with that quote...I'm not quite getting that one myself, what do you mean by "keeping the tension while winding"?

I've been playing blues in standard 440 for the last few years, but recently a band I played with back in the 80's has been asked to reunite and play Rocklahoma.

We're tuning down a half step for the heavier stuff and while my 4 stringers all make the transition just fine, I have a new 5 string Fender Jazz that is just horrible on the low B, the strings came with the bass so I'm not sure of the gauge.

Since I don't have a lot of time to experiment, I was hoping to look on here and see what the general concensus was for gauge for a low B tuned down a half step...heavier, or lighter???

Would love some advice on this...!...thanks!

knuckle_head · #19 05-11-2009, 10:35 AM

Heavier - I personally have no use for a B string lighter than a .130 on a 34" scale bass. My preference purely.

If you are aiming at A or A# you might want to try a .140 or .145.

THSL · #20 05-11-2009, 12:21 PM

0.145T for A string on a 35" scale is pretty good. Just make sure you get the D'Addario Pro Steel as it has a hex core making it a stiffer string...

I have tried the Ken Smith Stainless 0.145T. It is a good string, but is a very flexible one. Personally, I think this one is better suited to be tuned to B...

This is just my $0.02... Also, D'Addario strings are pretty cheap...

I am tuned low to high: A D G C F Ab, and my strings are .145T, .105, .085, .060, .045, .032...