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ADGCF tuning, DR Lo-Rider o Sadowsky Blacks?

L

Lunatic_Pandora

Nov 29, 2007
73
0
#1
I have to tune 1 whole step down and I need strings that feel stiff enough to play with low action and no fret buzz but without having too much gauge.

At the moment I've tried Fodera strings, Ernie Ball, Warwick EMP, LaBella Hard Rockin' steel...but all of them are to floppy for my taste (the A string is a pain with its floppyness...).

After using the search tool I've found that Sadowsky Black Label or DR Lo-Rider could be the answer to my problem.

What do you think?

I use a 34", 24 frets bass, no String Thru. Brass nut, no want of reshape/replace the nut for a extra-thick gauge.

Thank you!!
 
#8
I've read reviews about DDT's...and I don't like them enough to pull the trigger...

About Circle K, maybe If I make my own set with more regular gauges like 35-47-67-86-106-136 could work for my tuning...(insert your opinion here)
 
#10
Lunatic_Pandora said:
I've read reviews about DDT's...and I don't like them enough to pull the trigger...

About Circle K, maybe If I make my own set with more regular gauges like 35-47-67-86-106-136 could work for my tuning...(insert your opinion here)
Click to expand...

The entire point of Circle K's is to have equal tension across all of the strings. There's no need to make your own for typical down tuning.

They also make "traditional" sets, which have tension increase slightly from the bottom up, like the traditional 136 set: .136 .102 .079 .059 .045 .031

However, Circle K's are very flexible, so unless you order thicker gauges to get higher tension (and I'd probably recommend at least a .142 for low A), they're going to feel as floppy as other strings.
 
#11
FunkMetalBass said:
The entire point of Circle K's is to have equal tension across all of the strings. There's no need to make your own for typical down tuning.

They also make "traditional" sets, which have tension increase slightly from the bottom up, like the traditional 136 set: .136 .102 .079 .059 .045 .031

However, Circle K's are very flexible, so unless you order thicker gauges to get higher tension (and I'd probably recommend at least a .142 for low A), they're going to feel as floppy as other strings.
Click to expand...

Good point, thank you...

I think I'll try the Lo-riders nickel this time, and we'll see how do them work...

Thank you!
 
#12
I bought Lo Riders for this exact reason and they were still too floppy for me. Even though they are a tighter string and I even bought the .130 B string, once I dropped them a step, I didn't like the feel to be honest.

I just special ordered a set of D'Addario strings with a .145 B string and I cannot wait to try those out and see how they work. I had to have a nut custom made for this string size though so once that comes in, I will try these new strings.
 
#14
delucajohn2000 said:
I bought Lo Riders for this exact reason and they were still too floppy for me. Even though they are a tighter string and I even bought the .130 B string, once I dropped them a step, I didn't like the feel to be honest.

I just special ordered a set of D'Addario strings with a .145 B string and I cannot wait to try those out and see how they work. I had to have a nut custom made for this string size though so once that comes in, I will try these new strings.
Click to expand...

145? uff...

I don't think I could play with such a pipe...
 
#15
Lunatic_Pandora said:
145? uff...

I don't think I could play with such a pipe...
Click to expand...

When you detune a whole step, you are decreasing tension by about 8 lbs, so it feels a little thicker, but not harder to play. You might try buying a single .145 from D'Addario (probably the tapered .145 so it fits into your bridge better) and see how you like it at A. I have one on my P-bass right now, and it feels darn good when dropped to A.
 
#17
Lunatic_Pandora said:
I have to tune 1 whole step down and I need strings that feel stiff enough to play with low action and no fret buzz but without having too much gauge.
Click to expand...
The only way to do this is to buy a string with a stiff structure, of gauge .130 or .135, i'm thinking flatwounds, or DR DDTs which are designed to have a stiff structure so that when you detune they don't flop around so much when at very low tension. However strings with a stiff structure can have a darker more inharmonic tone.

I recommend widening the lowest nut slot just a little and trying a .145 with a more flexible structure, this way you get a brighter and more harmonic tone. You only need widen the lowest slot since standard EADG gauges work fine detuned a step. The B in most sets is much looser than the higher strings so that's why it suffers when detuned. In my experience of tuning to A a .145 is the absolute minimum gauge that retains an excellent tone and is not excessively floppy, it will still be at a low tension.

For perspective, a .145 at A has the same tension as a .105 at D, and less tension than a .130 at B. I recommend a custom set 145 105 80 60 45 for equal tension strings: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Also check out the .142 or .150 'balanced tension' sets here Link Removed

The difference in size between a .130 / .135 and a .145 is small, you really won't have a problem playing it ;)

So you've tried all these different brands with a .130 / .135 B, all too floppy at A, surely there is a lesson here ... use a higher gauge.
 
#18
ixlramp said:
The only way to do this is to buy a string with a stiff structure, of gauge .130 or .135, i'm thinking flatwounds, or DR DDTs which are designed to have a stiff structure so that when you detune they don't flop around so much when at very low tension. However strings with a stiff structure can have a darker more inharmonic tone.

I recommend widening the lowest nut slot just a little and trying a .145 with a more flexible structure, this way you get a brighter and more harmonic tone. You only need widen the lowest slot since standard EADG gauges work fine detuned a step. The B in most sets is much looser than the higher strings so that's why it suffers when detuned. In my experience of tuning to A a .145 is the absolute minimum gauge that retains an excellent tone and is not excessively floppy, it will still be at a low tension.

For perspective, a .145 at A has the same tension as a .105 at D, and less tension than a .130 at B. I recommend a custom set 145 105 80 60 45 for equal tension strings: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Also check out the .142 or .150 'balanced tension' sets here Link Removed

The difference in size between a .130 / .135 and a .145 is small, you really won't have a problem playing it ;)

So you've tried all these different brands with a .130 / .135 B, all too floppy at A, surely there is a lesson here ... use a higher gauge.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much.
I think I'll try the balanced Circle K in 31-142 (is a six string bass), I hope I don't have to touch the nut...
 
#19
Hmmm thinking further i think you may prefer the CKS .150 set. CKs are super flexy strings that feel loose for their gauge so it's possible the .142 may feel similar to a .135 of another brand and not be tight enough for you. Keep in mind the gauges of the higher strings are fairly low since it is an equal tension set. The .142 set at A standard will have a light tension of roughly 34 pounds.

Looking at the gauges of the .150 set only the lowest 1 or 2 slots will need widening, probably only the lowest since E slots are often around .110. If you file the nut yourself do some research to do it right ... be careful not to deepen the slot or change the 'valley-curve' of the slot floor.

The guys at CKS are very happy to help you choose the right set if you email them through the website.

If you want low action you need a reasonable amount of tension, which means big gauges, you can't avoid filing that nut :)
 
#20
ixlramp said:
The guys at CKS are very happy to help you choose the right set if you email them through the website.
Click to expand...

I e-mailed them 2 weeks ago with questions and nobody every responded to me. Was that just a fluke? I know the guy used to respond on this forum but he was getting some heat about it so he suggested people e-mail him through the site but when I did, I never received a response.
 

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