What string guage

[timrandallbass]

Hey guys im new here

I have in the past just searched this forum and found my answer so ne need to post... So thank you for having such and informative site here!!!

ok now to my question.

The band im in only just recently started playing in
G# (guitarist brought a 7 string)

Before when we were in A#,C#,G#,C#,F# and i had
.135 .105 .085 .070 .050 ernie ball strings fitted, it seemed ok to me and handled the tune pretty good but now going to G#,D#,G#,C#,F#
the G#, 5th string, is a bit loose and looses it clarity.

also i dont mind how my higher 4 strings feel currently switching between these tunings.
My 5th feels and sounds ok at A#, but once its at G#
it looses it punch and is a bit floppy.

Any suggestions for string guages to move between the tunings easily without to much loss in clarity.
Also will i have to modify to nut or bridge with the guage you reccommend?

Bass is a ibanez 5 string (K5)

cheers for the reccommendations

[knuckle_head]

This request looks familiar...



As a place to start this is what your tensions are;

A#-.135 - 35 lbs
C#-.105 - 30 lbs
G#-.085 - 43 lbs
C#-.070 - 54 lbs
F#-.050 - 49 lbs

Could use a little evening out. A compounding factor in string choice is that you drop a whole step on your low string and go up a whole step on the next string over. When selecting a gauge to vacillate between two different tunings you are always best served to pick a string gauge that is correct for the tuning between the two you intend to use. This way it is neither too tight tuned up or too loose dropped down.

Let's use the .085 as a mean; 43 lbs is a reasonable tension IMO. Consider this set;

.158 .118 .084 .064 .046

I suggest a new nut entirely, and your bridge ought to handle it okay.

[ixlramp]

I recommend at least a .145 for G# / A#, and preferably a .150.

Circle K Strings sell excellent single strings for low tunings here: Circle K Strings single strings. I used the same method as knuckle_head above, equalising the tensions with the lowest 2 strings at their average pitches, and came up with this slightly lower tension set: .150 .112 .080 .058 .043.

If you don't want to replace the nut, you can file out the lowest 2 nut slots with some fine-grain sandpaper wrapped around the string you want to use. Make sure not to contact the floor of the slot to avoid deepening it.

[FunkMetalBass]

That's similar to the tuning I use on one of my 6-strings, except I tune it G#-C#-G#-C#-F#-B

Skip's Balanced 158 sounds like the right route for you.

[timrandallbass]

cheers guys for the help

ixlramp, the set you recommended .150 .112 .080 .058 .043.
sounds good, i like my strings a bit looser then "normal"
will that be able the handle both tunings well?

i.e A#,C#,G#,C#,F# and G#,D#,G#,C#,F#

mostly going to be in G#,D#,G#,C#,F#
as were now writing with the 7 string but for older songs and something different we will go back to A#,C#,G#,C#,F#

thanks again for you help.

also 1 quick question, will the .142 be to small on the low string??

cheers guys

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by timrandallbass

ixlramp, the set you recommended .150 .112 .080 .058 .043. sounds good, i like my strings a bit looser then "normal"
will that be able the handle both tunings well?

I think so, yes. It's a medium-light tension set. Have you discovered the Circle K tension chart pdf?
The tensions will be ...

F# 38.1 pounds tension
C# 38.0
G# 39.5
D# 42.5
G# 33.5

F# 38.1
C# 38.0
G# 39.5
C# 33.8
A# 42.3

40 pounds is a medium-light tension. The 2 lowest strings stay within the 34 to 42 pound range when retuned.

A .142 G# will have a tension of 30.2 pounds. At that tension it may start to lose it's excellent tone. It will be floppy and need a light touch. I think you'll prefer a .150, especially if you're tuning G# more than A#.

What does knuckle_head think?

[knuckle_head]

Too much lighter than .150 will put you at or below the tension most any string is made/manufactured at - you really don't want this.

In general try to exceed 30 pounds if even by only a little. You'll get more and better life/sound out of your strings. The exception would be where 30 pounds exceeds the tensile strength of materials which happens in the low .020's and in most plain strings below .015.

[timrandallbass]

ok after talking to my guitarist and much thought put into this..... lol

i have decided im going to leave my low string at G#...

so my guages i have decided on are
.158 G# 37.1
.118 D# (C#) 47.3 (37.5) only string that will change tuning
.080 G# 39.5
.058 C# 38.0
.043 F# 38.1

how does that look guys??

also another option for the 4th string is
.112 D# (C#) 42.5 (33.8)

or for a bit tighter on the bottom 3 go
.084 G# 43
.064 C# 45.2
.046 F# 43.6

opinions on this guys??? im a bit unshore and i dont wanna spend my hard earned and get strings that are to loose,,,, or to tight lol.

cheers

[knuckle_head]

I'd run with your first set with the .112 instead of the .118

[ixlramp]

I agree with knuckle_head. .158 .112 .080 .058 .043.

These gauges are well chosen ...

.158 G# 37.1

.080 G# 39.5
.058 C# 38.0
.043 F# 38.1

... tension balanced at around 38 pounds. There is no advantage to having the 3 high pitch strings tighter, because they have a lower mass they do not need much tension to keep that mass 'in check' and vibrating 'tightly' with good tone. The balanced tension will be more comfortable and will even-out the tone and your technique across the strings.

I would recommend the .112 ..

.112 D# (C#) 42.5 (33.8)

... since at it's 2 pitches there is no more than 4 pounds tension difference from the rest of the set. A .118 would be either balanced, or 9 pounds tighter.

[timrandallbass]

thanks guys...
appreciate it heaps!

ill be placing an order with circle k tomorrow