What Gauge for Drop-C on a 5 string

BDL1991 · #1 06-18-2009, 04:41 PM

I just got myself a 5 string bass, I'm tuning it to C-G-C-F-A# and I'm a tad confused as to what gauge to use to take it to that tuning.

At the moment I have it strung with 130-105-85-65-45, well that's what i believe they are, there is one string i'm not so sure about, but i got the tension majority correct, problem is I'm not overly confident in that fact, but i'm re-stringing it in a few weeks once my local, is able to get me in some D'addrio's XL's with those gauges.

what gauges would you suggest for that tuning??

and I'm using the tuning because it is what I prefer to use for that band, I can't have standard 5 string tuning due to, the use of Open C with a high frets. danke in advance

Solarmist · #2 06-19-2009, 02:52 AM

I use 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 for DGCF, but for low C I'd use 115/120.

Double Agent · #3 06-19-2009, 09:15 AM

If .045-.130 feels right to you, there is nothing wrong with that. I would probably go with a lighter 5-string gauge, like .040-.125, but that's just me. If what you're using works for you and there isn't too much tension for you to play comfortably, I would stick with it.

BDL1991 · #4 06-19-2009, 09:42 AM

but since this is slightly like E-A-D-G-C and when I was looking, for that tuning typically there would be a lighter gauge C string, but I'm not overly sure of it

FloydianAnimal · #5 06-19-2009, 10:07 AM

My band plays in Drop C and what I do is just use a standard 5 string set, .130-.45, and tune it CEADG low to high. So basically I just tune the low B up half a step to low C to get that open low C. Otherwise it's just standard 5er tuning. Works well for me and I get good balanced tension across the strings...

fretlessman71 · #6 06-19-2009, 10:17 AM

So basically, you're taking a High C tuning (EADGC), dropping it a whole step, then dropping the last string ANOTHER whole step?

If this is the case, I'd go 40 60 80 100 130. The first four are a standard light gauge set (in US parlance, anyway), and might do a little better for tuning them up (esp. the 40, since 1st string tension is usually more than we'd prefer). The last is a good gauge for tuning to Low B, and what's a half-step between friends, right?

40 might still be a tad stiff for your 1st string, but I think the next option is 35, which might be too floppy. Not a lot of middle ground there.

insomniac2295 · #7 06-19-2009, 10:30 AM

what I do is I take a .125 B string that I tune up to the low C, then use standard gauge A, D, G, and C strings for the G, C, F, A# which are .085, .065, and .045

I can't tune it up to standard 5 string tuning without it being very floppy but, it retains drop c tuning on a 5 string VERY well. The tension is very even across the board. At least that's what it seems to me.

BDL1991 · #8 06-19-2009, 10:31 AM

hmm, some interesting takes on this danke

Ric5 · #9 06-19-2009, 10:33 AM

Why don't you just use a normal set of strings for a 5er?

And why don't you tune BEADG? You can still play all of your bands material that way.

fretlessman71 · #10 06-19-2009, 11:37 AM

Ric, a lot of people base songs around open tunings - it allows them to keep a bass note going and do a lot of other things on the rest of the board at the same time. Might be what they're going for here.

BDL1991 · #11 06-19-2009, 12:53 PM

yes, that is basically what i'm going for, like i stated in the OP I can't have standard 5 string tuning due to, the use of Open C with a high frets. playing a C 3 octaves above a Low C is different to playing that high C with a low B

knarleybass · #12 06-19-2009, 12:59 PM

.125 .095 .075 .055 .040

these are the guages I use for that tuning, I found it worked great, I had DR make a few sets for me.

BDL1991 · #13 06-19-2009, 01:14 PM

hmmm, could be a fair plan

insomniac2295 · #14 06-21-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knarleybass

.125 .095 .075 .055 .040

these are the guages I use for that tuning, I found it worked great, I had DR make a few sets for me.

D'Addario makes a set that's virtually the same gauges as that.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...Set?sku=100209

The gauges are .125 .095 .075 .060 .040
slightly different.

BDL1991 · #15 06-21-2009, 08:23 PM

at the moment, i have my local dealer gettin me in this set of D'Addario, which came stock on the Bass as far as i know http://store.daddario.com/category/1...-String_45-130 which is basically the gauges i generally use for Drop-C on a 4 String minus the 100, I'm going to pop in tomorrow and ask about it and hopefully get some strings to re-string my other basses while I'm there