light gauge strings needed but using drop d tuning

[billphreets]

hi ppl

ive recently been experiencing a few warning signs (nothing major but im on the side of caution here) in my hands, that tell me its time to switch to a lighter string (and a lighter touch!) and a low action on my 4 string jazz (which has at the minute a pretty damn high action and 45 65 85 105 gauge strings) .. im thinking of going to 30 50 70 90 gauge , the only would be problem i may have is : ALL my band songs require drop d tuning.. im just concerned that that detuned string is going to be flapping like crazy!!! any comments to put my mind at rest MOST welcome !!! lol ; ) thanks in advance guys

[lowendfriend]

easy....get a five string with a .125 b string.

or....

use BEAD tuning on a 4.....not sure how much you r using a g string in Jazz.

Use TI flats, too.....low tension flats should sound nice for Jazz

[greenboy]

Drop tune sets in a lot of different gauges here:

http://circlekstrings.com/store/standard.4string.html

These sets last a long time.

[billphreets]

?? wires crossed a bit i think

DADG is what i need to be tuned to.... i was actually wondering if a .90 E string will be ok for drop D and not flap too much.. i dont intend using flats, i dont actually play jazz (no disrespect) i play a jazz bass tho....

[billphreets]

damn i never noticed there was a strings section on the
forum !!!!!

[Joe Smithberger]

Have you thought about tuning DGCF with the strings you have? The highest tension strings are the D and G.

[greenboy]

Here's the first five drop tune sets, from the lightest to the heaviest sets, found at the link I provided above:

.096 .064 .049 .035

.100 .068 .052 .037

.106 .072 .055 .040

.112 .076 .058 .043

.118 .080 .061 .046

Any would work for drop D. The tensions are chosen to be very similar acrosss the neck - balanced - across any of these sets when using drop tuning.

[billphreets]

thanks man

just unfortunate that shipping costs to the uk are a little on the steep side to say the least...

[Chasarms]

I would probably contact a string company about ordering a hybrid set. I would guess that a medium E would feel a lot like a light if tuned down a step.

If you are going to leave the bass tuned drop D all the time, you can set it up to accomodate the alternate tuning and still have low action.

[JimmyM]

it ain't the strings...it's the touch. you said yourself you need to lighten up. you can do that with any strings.

however, i use light strings, too, so not a big deal. i have drop tuned a 90 to d, and i like it. it's not all that big a difference.

[billphreets]

thanks fellas ; )

[IvanHardy]

hey are these gauges good for standard as well? for my band a lot of songs require drop c. for my sterling ray 34 i like to use it for drop c but i also like it in drop d and standard. whenever im done playing i always tune back to standard before i put it away. with my stingray i like it in standard and drop D whenever i feel like dropping the E. are any of these strings good for what i want to do?

[wetzelman1]

for any drop tuning, really any string can be used with a proper setup. I play in drop c and had been using 115's and have better tension and action after getting my bass setup professionally with a 105.

[IvanHardy]

so what would you suggest i do? is it possible to strings to be used for those 3 tunings? Standard, drop D, Drop C. i was thinking of trying out some power slinkys.

[wetzelman1]

c to standard is really too far to have properly setup for all 3. Standard to Drop D is no big deal, any standard set of strings should do both. C is some serious downtuning and loss of tension and will need to be setup accordingly.

[Barfy]

I believe if you go to http://www.juststrings.com you can order individual strings.

In that case, you could buy a light gauge set, throw out the E, and replace it with the single medium E you get from JustStrings.

Also, I'm certainly no tech, but I suppose there's something you could do with the bridge if it's a fancy enough bridge.

[IvanHardy]

damn. i dont know why but it hurts sorta to have to get it setup. but lets say i get it setup for drop c will i still be able to go standard or do i like leave it in c when im done?is that the way it works?

[bradd]

Fender makes a set that's .40 .60. .80 .105. I use it on one of my basses that has a dead spot. The .105 works just fine in dropped D.

[IvanHardy]

wow ididnt know fender made strings. I'm an Ernie ball strings guy.