Good strings for low tuning?

[tom once dead]

I'm going to be recording my bands second album in a couple of weeks and I originally bought a couple of sets of Dunlop SS 45-130's and I've still got one set which I put aside for recording. I normally use DR Hi Beams in the same gague but I got the Dunlops when strings and beyond were having a 2 for 1 on Dunlop sale.

As for the tuning side of things, I'm tuned to GCGCF which might seem way too low for a standard gagued string, but I definitely prefer lighter gagues. I've used the DR HI beams 45-130 and DR DDT 45-125 with this tuning as well and found they worked pretty well whereas I feel the Dunlops just aren't cutting it when I play on the low G.

What would work better between the DR Hi Beams 45-130 and the DDT 45-125?
I'm also open to other string brands, so long as they are very bright strings.

 

[GODSBASSMAN]

Look up circleKstrings.com

 

[Indiana Mike]

+1

 

[ixlramp]

Almost all string sets have the E looser and the B much looser than the higher strings and when tuned to double-drop GCGCF this makes the tension imbalance even worse. I suggest building a custom set from single strings with all strings at equal tension, this will even out the tone and feel, and be more comfortable to play.
You can use a tension chart such as the Link Removed to approximate the tension of other brands.
Like yourself i like very low tension but a .125 or .130 for G is extremely loose, the tone will suffer and lose brightness and clarity. I recommend at least a .145 for G, this will still be at a very low tension. The D'Addario ProSteel .145 is an excellent bright, flexible string.
Circle K Strings are IMO the best designed strings for low tunings.

My suggestion for GCGCF Circle K at roughly 30 pounds (extra light tension): 150 112 73 55 41, you can buy singles at Circle K with no cost penalty.
Other brands, a slightly lighter set: 145 105 70 50 35.

 

[tom once dead]

Thanks for that ixlramp.
I've checked out Circle K strings before but I didn't really know what kind of gagues I should have been looking at.

 

[ixlramp]

I've checked out Circle K strings before but I didn't really know what kind of gagues I should have been looking at.

I forgot to mention ... the reason i chose 30 pounds of tension for my Circle K suggestion is that the guys at Circle K recommend that as a minimum to get the very best tone from their strings. My experience with D'Addario B strings is similar in that below 30 pounds they start to lose their excellent tone. TalkBass member knuckle_head is one of the Circle K guys and may be able to help you out if you contact him. Whether Circle Ks are bright enough for you i don't know, they are nickelplated steel outer wrap and steel inner wraps.

 

[tom once dead]

I just ordered a set of 43, 57, 76, 112, 150. I figured I'd go a little heavier than the lightest recommended tension. This 150 gauge G should be interesting when it comes time for the tremolo picking sections, let alone getting it through the bridge.

 

[knuckle_head]

I'm going to be recording my bands second album in a couple of weeks and I originally bought a couple of sets of Dunlop SS 45-130's and I've still got one set which I put aside for recording. I normally use DR Hi Beams in the same gague but I got the Dunlops when strings and beyond were having a 2 for 1 on Dunlop sale.

As for the tuning side of things, I'm tuned to GCGCF which might seem way too low for a standard gagued string, but I definitely prefer lighter gagues. I've used the DR HI beams 45-130 and DR DDT 45-125 with this tuning as well and found they worked pretty well whereas I feel the Dunlops just aren't cutting it when I play on the low G.

What would work better between the DR Hi Beams 45-130 and the DDT 45-125?
I'm also open to other string brands, so long as they are very bright strings.

When you tuned standard what did you like for your low E gauge?

Do you like sludgy or crisp sounds?

My vernacular has been called in to question of late, but it looks like you double drop - if you go with mine you'll want a drop tuned 4 set and a low single to get where you want to go.

I can suggest more standard gauges if you want to go with someone else . . . .

 

[tom once dead]

I've been using 45- 105 for drop C for a few years now.
My tone is definitely more crisp than sludgy, lots of growly high mids.

I'll see how the gauges I ordered go. If I don't like how they sound/feel I can always just put on the spare dunlops or even get some DR's which is what I normally use.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I tune ACGCF or GCGCF and I use a .158 and .124 as my 2 lowest strings from C-K (as well as the ADG strings I just always forget those gauges! )

 

[knuckle_head]

I've been using 45- 105 for drop C for a few years now.
My tone is definitely more crisp than sludgy, lots of growly high mids.

I'll see how the gauges I ordered go. If I don't like how they sound/feel I can always just put on the spare dunlops or even get some DR's which is what I normally use.

It's not the brand as much as the gauges - real low usually means real big. If you like the tone and playability of the .105 at C you are looking at a .140 or .145 to match it.

Seems very low tension to me though - lightest I'd suggest at G and C is .158 and .118.

 

[ixlramp]

Hope i haven't given any unhelpful advice knuckle_head. Please correct me if i ever do

This 150 gauge G should be interesting when it comes time for the tremolo picking sections, let alone getting it through the bridge.

They're taperwound and you'll need to top-load it into the bridge, CKs don't work with through-body stringing.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Hope i haven't given any unhelpful advice knuckle_head. Please correct me if i ever do

Stop promoting fifths tunings. This isn't talkcello.com



Actually, I quite like your advice. I feel like the three of us (that's you, Skip, and myself) are fierce string warriors, leading the crusade for better relative string tension. 'Tis a noble cause, my brother.

 

[knuckle_head]

Hope i haven't given any unhelpful advice. Please correct me if i ever do

Ditto

 

[ixlramp]

Stop promoting fifths tunings. This isn't talkcello.com

 

[tom once dead]

It's not the brand as much as the gauges - real low usually means real big. If you like the tone and playability of the .105 at C you are looking at a .140 or .145 to match it.

Seems very low tension to me though - lightest I'd suggest at G and C is .158 and .118.

Well I'll see how the 150/112 at G and C goes. I'm sure they'll be better than 130/105 for the same tuning.

Stop promoting fifths tunings. This isn't talkcello.com



Actually, I quite like your advice. I feel like the three of us (that's you, Skip, and myself) are fierce string warriors, leading the crusade for better relative string tension. 'Tis a noble cause, my brother.

Well I do play the cello.

Maybe I should get a set of strings for CGDA an octave down

 

[knuckle_head]

.254 .174 .112 .073 - I can hook you up.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

.254 .174 .112 .073 - I can hook you up.

knuckle_head, in lieu of a Strings moderator being present as we're currently down one, you need to remember that you cannot recommend your own products or services.

 

[xikbastard]

.175 for the G should work well. i got a warwick vampyre dark lord that came with .175 for F# which works well for G. just that i need a bigger cab for that.

 

[tom once dead]

My next problem is going to be getting the string to fit through the bridge, anyone else put strings this size through the bridge on an LTD?