Using .125 .100 .90 .60 on a 4 string?

eon · #1 02-06-2009, 02:07 PM

Hey.

I just put on some Trace Elliot strings on my bass.

It's the 5 string set but only the top 4 used and I'm switching tuning between drop Bess and drop C, so it's quite a differenace in tension, ie. the string that's supposed to be tuned in E is in G and A in C and so forth.

They get really tight and I'm a bit worried what this will do to my neck. Especially since I drop it to drop Bess aswell.

It's a MM Sterling if that matters.

jaywa · #2 02-06-2009, 02:12 PM

Probably really pushing it there. Heaviest I've ever gone on my P-Bass is the Ernie Ball Power Slinky set which is either a 110 or 115 for the E string (because I play in drop D a lot). No problems with that set-up, but what you're proposing is quite a bit heavier. And the Sterling has a lot less neck mass than a P-Bass as well... so take that all FWIW.

eon · #3 02-06-2009, 02:21 PM

I've used the Power slinkys, but I found the E to be a bit sloppy.

But I think your right, I just dosen't feel right with that kind of tension. I might try going with the .125 for the E string and the rest with the Power slinkys.

jasper383 · #4 02-06-2009, 05:53 PM

If there's a slim neck out there that can take it, it would be the EBMM Sterling. This seems to be pushing it, though.

If I understand correctly, you are tuning a .125 string to the G above E? That's some serious tension, and I would think about changing gauges/getting a bass that is designed to handle it, if there is one.

Wear eye protection.

eon · #5 02-07-2009, 01:31 AM

Ah no, the .125 is tuned in C, I think it would break at D or so if I tried to get it to E.
So that's just tuned up halv a step. Since it's orignally a B string.

The .100 is set to G, the .80 is set to C and the 60 is set to F. So those are tuned up one and a half step.

FenderP · #6 02-07-2009, 02:54 PM

I have two basses strung .135 .115 .100 .75 and standard E - G tuning. It works just fine. One bass is the Takamine TB10, the other is my Rob Allen Deep 4 which has a reinforced neck.

eon · #7 02-07-2009, 04:05 PM

That.. sounds like massive tension on the neck. I've come to the resoning that I will go with the current setup (TE .125 and the rest Power slinkys), I like the sound of it in drop C and use my crappy Squire for the drop bess tunings.

I just don't want to abuse the Sterling neck that much

euronymous · #8 02-07-2009, 05:06 PM

I use that gauge for B- standard, and it feels like .105 in E standard. I have played .105 and .110 on a 24" scale in drop-C and the .110 felt great. Not to mention I had to grind my nut and bridge to fit .130. Just get heavy gauge.

RickenBoogie · #9 02-07-2009, 05:09 PM

I'm using 65-85-100-125 tuned BEAD, on a Ric 4004Cii. I know this is a much lower tuning then what you're after, but I haven't had a lick of trouble with this set-up. Would a lower tuning work for you? It would loosen up that tension, anyway.

bassist4dalord · #10 02-07-2009, 05:10 PM

So you go from BEAD to DGCF to EADG to CGCF???? What kind of music do you play? What the heck is Bess?? GET A 5er!!! Save your $x,xxx Sterling and tune it stnadard EADG. Get a 5-String and tune it how you will. You are currently killing your Sterling's neck. Best of luck!

FenderP · #11 02-07-2009, 11:37 PM

No massive tension on my necks ... all of my basses (well documented here) use high action and thick strings. They take it just fine. Two have the .135 - .75 setup, three .110 - .50, and one (Mustang) the short scale RS77 set which is lighter.

eon · #12 02-08-2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

So you go from BEAD to DGCF to EADG to CGCF???? What kind of music do you play? What the heck is Bess?? GET A 5er!!! Save your $x,xxx Sterling and tune it stnadard EADG. Get a 5-String and tune it how you will. You are currently killing your Sterling's neck. Best of luck!

Haha no, not that bad, I play in two diffrent bands, one that tunes in CGCF the other Bb F Bb Eb. Might have been abit unclear, I call it drop c, but I guess the propper term is standard D tuning with a dropped C.

Also I don't care for 5 strings, I understand why people like them, but it's just not for me.

Anyways I'll just go with another basK ms for the lowest tunings. Seems easier and I can get both set up better.

Jim Nazium · #13 02-08-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenderP

I have two basses strung .135 .115 .100 .75 and standard E - G tuning. It works just fine. One bass is the Takamine TB10, the other is my Rob Allen Deep 4 which has a reinforced neck.

Holy cow. You must have some strong hands.

FenderP · #14 02-08-2009, 11:43 AM

See
High Action = Better Tone??? (edit: right link this time)

I took one of the plates in that pic off and put it on my '76 fretless Fender P. So it's ever so slightly lower (maybe 1/16" or 1/8" lower, or about . Both Ps are .110 - .50 as well as my Rob Allen Solid 4. One of the reasons I lowered that action was to not only put the plate on the fretless, but to make all of my basses close to even in terms of height to make it easier to switch between.

Oh, and I played Rush with that high action

dystopiate · #15 02-08-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eon

Haha no, not that bad, I play in two diffrent bands, one that tunes in CGCF the other Bb F Bb Eb. Might have been abit unclear, I call it drop c, but I guess the propper term is standard D tuning with a dropped C.

Also I don't care for 5 strings, I understand why people like them, but it's just not for me.

Anyways I'll just go with another basK ms for the lowest tunings. Seems easier and I can get both set up better.

I would recommend using two basses b/c the variation in tension will throw off your intonation and put your neck through a roller-coaster ride. That said, I don't think that the strings you've chosen are a terribly high tension. I like lighter tension and have strung drop C as :125, 85, 65, 45 and drop A# as: 135, 90, 70, 50.