50-110 String set suggestions for drop C#

[Zazie Moondust]

Currently I am using 45-105 NYXLs love their sound. They work great for Drop D, but Drop C# is kind of pushing it. It works but I have to play quite lightly.

They don't make 50-110 NYXLs, the 55-110s sound like they'd be too tight on high strings and they don't seem to sell single 110 strings for me to to make a custom set. So I have to find an alternative.

I like that the NYXLs are a bit smoother feeling, bright/present and longer lasting, so something similar would be ideal. I am not dead set stubborn on 50-110 but I am iffy about widening but slot too much for a thicker string that may be too bassy and sound/feel unbalanced.

Does anyone have any good suggestions? Particularly for rock/punk/metal type of stuff

 

[michael_t]

They don't make 50-110 NYXLs, the 55-110s sound like they'd be too tight on high strings and they don't seem to sell single 110 strings for me to to make a custom set. So I have to find an alternative...

My current #1 favorite NPS roundwound is the SIT Power Wound Nickels, which come in 50-70-90-110. And they're very well priced, as in under $20 for a 4-string set.

Power Wound Nickel Bass Strings - S.I.T. Strings

The SIT String Company Power Wound nickel bass strings have consistently remained the top choice for bassists worldwide, thanks to their exceptional quality and versatility. With a legacy spanning several decades, these round wound bass strings have earned a well-deserved reputation as the...

sitstrings.com

I have no personal experience with the NYXL's.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

It's a different sound from the NYXLs (I like these better), but DR's DDT strings are pretty rad. Even their lo-riders with hex cores still do well in tunings below D (IME).

 

[Zazie Moondust]

It's a different sound from the NYXLs (I like these better), but DR's DDT strings are pretty rad. Even their lo-riders with hex cores still do well in tunings below D (IME).

I like the Hi Beams on my other bass quite a bit so they sound like they could be good. Are either of these as smooth feeling as the Hi Beams?

 

[michael_t]

I like the Hi Beams on my other bass quite a bit so they sound like they could be good. Are either of these as smooth feeling as the Hi Beams?

DR roundwound strings in general are smoother in texture than most others. The only thing, though, is the Hi Beams are round core, which may not be the best thing for down-tuning as they tend to be a little too flexible for that. The DR DDT are designed specifically for down-tuning with a thicker-than-average hex core. The Lo-Riders are also hex core, not quite as stiff as the DDT but still better suited for down-tuning than the Hi Beams.

I do use the DR DDT 45-65-85-105 on one of my J's tuned to DGCF and like them a lot.

 

[Zazie Moondust]

DR roundwound strings in general are smoother in texture than most others. The only thing, though, is the Hi Beams are round core, which may not be the best thing for down-tuning as they tend to be a little too flexible for that. The DR DDT are designed specifically for down-tuning with a thicker-than-average hex core. The Lo-Riders are also hex core, not quite as stiff as the DDT but still better suited for down-tuning than the Hi Beams.

I do use the DR DDT 45-65-85-105 on one of my J's tuned to DGCF and like them a lot.

45-105 at D sounds right about the territory I am looking at, so I think the 50-110 might be good for drop C# for the expected feel I am looking for.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Rotosound's Roto Bass RB50 50-70-90-110 is a great, warm-hearted set of nickel-plated rounds, and usually cheaper than the competition. They sound and feel "normal" at D Standard. When I had a bass with a bad trussrod, I happily played a set of these downtuned to C# Standard. So happily that I kinda miss it, tbh....