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5 string set on a 4 string

D

dreadheadbass

Dec 17, 2007
881
20
england
#1
quick question
recently i've decided to convert back to roundwounds as i can get my tone bright enough with flats
only problem is i love the high tension and stiffness of flats (i use rotosound 50-110's)
i've tried a few heavy gauge rounds and they just dont have the same tension and feel very rubbery
i was wondering if i could buy a 5 string set and just use the lowest 4 strings eg 65, 85, 105, 130 or will my neck snap in the middle?
 
#2
DR Lo-Riders in 50-70-90-110, should be plenty stiff!
I tried the 45-65-80-100's once and they were as stiff as GHS Boomers in 45-65-85-105's. The DR LO's are probably the stiffest roundwound on the market.
OH, they sound GREAT TOO!! :hyper:
P.S. If you like nickel plated strings D'Addario makes their XL line in a 55-75-90-110
and GHS makes a set that's 50-75-95-115. Both of these especially the GHS' are stiff!!
 
#4
I done the low four of a five tuned up to EADG before, great tension, but you beter make sure your truss rod has plenty of movment to straighten the neck back.

I used a set of boomers, and when tuned to EADG, seemed about the same tension as a set of Steve Harris Roto's I had on another bass.
 
#5
Darkstrike said:
I done the low four of a five tuned up to EADG before, great tension, but you beter make sure your truss rod has plenty of movment to straighten the neck back.

I used a set of boomers, and when tuned to EADG, seemed about the same tension as a set of Steve Harris Roto's I had on another bass.
Click to expand...

great thats exactly the sort of tension i'm after time to get my local shop to break out the string catalogs i think

is there anyone else out there who loves high tension strings or am i in the minority?
 
#8
no need found an old set of swing bass 66's for an old 5 string i used to have but never used i just put the lowest 4 strings on my schecter (previously strung with heavy jazz 77 flats)
and they've settled on just fine i didnt even need to adjust the rod which just goes to show how much tension is really in those flats :eek:

i'm happy as larry now i've got the brightness i need and the tension plus my e string has more punch than mike tyson on stella artois

thanks for helping me out everyone now if you'll excuse me i've got a bass with new strings that needs some noodling :bassist:
 

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