Comfortable String Gauge Question.

[keiser8339]

I play in a band where many of the songs are in drop D. I play a five string, and I just tune the low B to a D, and play the songs because it's pretty comfortable for me. I've been playing with Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass Strings, and the gauge for the B string is .130, and it tends to raise the strings from the fret-board making is a slight pain in the ass to play sometimes (I had a axe-to-finger accident a few years back on the index finger on my fretting hang) I was wondering if buying a lower gauge B string would be fine to play, and last just as long as the .130. Note - I'm not worried about not being able to use the actual low B if I find a gauge that works...Thanks TB!


My Bands MySpace page - www.myspace.com/rightwaytonowhere

[ChrisBowsman]

I would use something just a little heavier than your E. If you use a .105 E, try a .110.

[keiser8339]

Originally Posted by ChrisBowsman

I would use something just a little heavier than your E. If you use a .105 E, try a .110.

I use the .100 that comes in the pack, but I don't mean to sound like a noob or something but what's the lowst gauge B string that Ernie Ball makes?

[ga_edwards]

I was in the situation with my current band that I began to wonder if I was really suited to a 5 string. I rarely, if ever required to go lower than low D, perhaps for just one song we no longer play. I now have gone back to 4 strings and use a hipshot D-tuner for those drop D tunes.

I'm wondering if this may be worth considering in your situation?

[debassr]

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

I was in the situation with my current band that I began to wonder if I was really suited to a 5 string. I rarely, if ever required to go lower than low D, perhaps for just one song we no longer play. I now have gone back to 4 strings and use a hipshot D-tuner for those drop D tunes.

I'm wondering if this may be worth considering in your situation?

I use d-tuners on all my 4 bangers - love them. I don't see why you couldn't use one on the E string of a 5'er assuming that the B string tuner is on the opposite side of the headstock or otherwise out of the way of the rocking action.

[G00D+~VIBES]

I always had the impression that a 5 string supervenes the need to drop tune as you already have access to the lower octave D

[debassr]

Originally Posted by G00D+~VIBES

I always had the impression that a 5 string supervenes the need to drop tune as you already have access to the lower octave D

Good point. You just can't play an open D.

[Mikeus]

I replcaed the B with a heavy 115 gauge E on my 5 string and drop tune it to a B.

i have 2 x G strings. different gauges. one is a 55 and the other is a 45

works fine, but i think next time i will just buy a 6 string set and drop tune everything again.