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Best string set for drop C?

S

SMILEYSIXX

Dec 29, 2009
1,614
25
#1
Forgive me if this was posted before, I'm on my phone and the button to search is acting weird... what string set is best to get to drop C? I was gonna use DR's drop tuning set, but the sets seem to have string gauges better suited to standard tunings than having a heavier E string for drop tunings. Are there any sets of strings besides the Billy Sheehan set that have a heavier low E specific for drop tuning? Or do the DR sets work well for drop tuning, and if so, should I get the 55-115 or 65-125 gauge set?
 
#3
There are two rather excellent options:

Circle K Drop Tuned Set

BassStringsOnline.com DR singles set w/ 120 or 125 for C, with fairly standard gauges for the GCF.

DR Lo Riders, Hi Beams, Fat Beams in these gauges:

I use 120 85 65 45 and it works pretty well.

Circle K Drop Tuned 124 works really well too.

Can't go wrong with either set.

You can do what I did and try both to see what you prefer.
 
#5
I personally love the DR DDT Strings. They have the same gauges as most other strings but handle the lows extremely well. They are not your standard string, Spinocores, I think that is what they are called. Basically, the core itself is spun, giving it a lot more mass with the same volume. I would check those out, don't count them out before you hear them!
 
#6
SMILEYSIXX said:
I was gonna use DR's drop tuning set, but the sets seem to have string gauges better suited to standard tunings
Click to expand...

Exactly. DR DDT are apparently designed to 'feel' good when detuned but the actual tension of that lowest drooped string will indeed be much lower.

Circle K have sets designed for drop tunings, the gauges have been chosen to create equal tension on each string in a drop tuning: Link Removed.
 
#7
for drop C i mainly use Roto steels, 125, 90, 70, 50...

(only Rotos because they are readily available here in those guages... but those seem to work OK. listen to Circle K strings for more precise advice!)
 
#10
ixlramp said:
Exactly. DR DDT are apparently designed to 'feel' good when detuned but the actual tension of that lowest drooped string will indeed be much lower.

Circle K have sets designed for drop tunings, the gauges have been chosen to create equal tension on each string in a drop tuning: Link Removed.
Click to expand...

Yea, I'm going back and forth with my denatured alcohol bath and a set of .124 drop tuned Circle k's and a 120 85 65 45 DR Lo Rider set, both feel great and are better balanced than the DDT set. though now I just put in an order for a .112 balanced set, replace the .112 with a .118 instead of the .124. Will keep the set somewhat balanced and the tonal difference between the top 2 strings will not change as much.
 
#11
Mudvayne uses drop c tuning and their bassist Ryan uses a 50-110 set of DR's. I think he uses Highbeams. It mostly comes down to your preferance of tension. Some people like lower tension and might be happy with a 45-105 while as you can see in other people's comments some like more tension and are using gauges like 55-125. I suggest trying whatever gauge you have on now. If it doesn't have enough tension for your liking then get a set that's a 5-10 heavier. Eventually you'll find what is best for you.
 
#12
AmadeusXeno said:
Mudvayne uses drop c tuning and their bassist Ryan uses a 50-110 set of DR's. I think he uses Highbeams. It mostly comes down to your preferance of tension. Some people like lower tension and might be happy with a 45-105 while as you can see in other people's comments some like more tension and are using gauges like 55-125. I suggest trying whatever gauge you have on now. If it doesn't have enough tension for your liking then get a set that's a 5-10 heavier. Eventually you'll find what is best for you.
Click to expand...

Yea he needs lower tension usually cause he bounces the string off the fretboard.
 
#13
I play in Drop C and just tried a set of the Billy Sheehan Rotos. Overall I am very happy with them. I had been using Ken Smith Rock Masters in 45-65-85-105 and was happy overall with the sound and feel, but wanted to try the heavier 110. I am VERY glad I did. The 110 got me the tension and focus I wanted on the Low C, but still feels natural to me (I really don't like the feel of thicker strings) I do think that the ideal strings FOR ME would be a 45-60-85-110 set of Rotos... I'd like a little more tension overall, and a slightly thicker 3rd string to make the transition from 3rd to 4th string a little more natural feeling. I don't know why they use a 65 in the Billy Sheehan set...seems like a 60 would be a more appropriate choice in between a 43 and an 80.....

-JV
 
#15
Here's what works for me, after years and years of experimenting.

DR Lo Rider SS strings 115-85-65-45. The stock strings can handle a full step drop just fine. I can get my action ridiculously low. They don't sound funny, or intonate out of whack.

IMO, YMMV, blah blah.
 

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