D Standard Club (DGCF)

[MirandM]

Now, this is a club I'd happily love to join! I tune all my basses DGCF since 2018, acoustic, electric, fretted, fretless. For me it just works, and I don't get why it to me so long to find out.
(Alright, except for a handful of blues/R&B cover versions on the acoustic fretless where I'm doubling some typical fast E or A guitar licks and have to use a capo due to my short "baby fingers"…)

Welcome to the club. We don't give out numbers here since we're more into letters, you know the ones that start with D
Have a good time !

 

[michael_t]

I just installed DR Nickel Lo-Riders 45-105 on my newly acquired Ibanez SR650E for DGCF. This is the second bass I'm setting up for DGCF along with the Sandblased Jazz, strung with DR DDT 45-105. This is going to be an interesting experiment comparing the two sets of hex-core strings by DR to see how much difference between the two in terms of overall playing feel.

 

[MirandM]

I just installed DR Nickel Lo-Riders 45-105 on my newly acquired Ibanez SR650E for DGCF. This is the second bass I'm setting up for DGCF along with the Sandblased Jazz, strung with DR DDT 45-105. This is going to be an interesting experiment comparing the two sets of hex-core strings by DR to see how much difference between the two in terms of overall playing feel.
...

A more definitive comparison would be if you had two of the same basses, it least imho. Comparing different strings (even from the same manufacturer) on different basses would only be useful if you swap the string between the two. Then you'd know the exact difference.
Even so it's nice to see you go the D-way

 

[michael_t]

A more definitive comparison would be if you had two of the same basses, it least imho. Comparing different strings (even from the same manufacturer) on different basses would only be useful if you swap the string between the two. Then you'd know the exact difference.
Even so it's nice to see you go the D-way

I do see your point. However, all I'm concerned about at this point is their tension/stiffness and tuning stability. DDT's not only have thicker core wires but those core wires have special coating on them. I just want to see how much of a difference in real life applications. I'm not trying to do an A/B comparison as such.

 

[MrAB4003]

What are some of your pros and cons of playing in D Standard tuning? Here are mine:

Pros:
1. Access to D1 and D#/Eb1 without de-tuning or needing a 5 string
2. The open low D (D1)
3. The open low G (G1)
4. I like my strings a little looser than normal so I can bend - D Standard lends itself to that
5. Transposing riffs and songs is easier
6. Drop C tuning is accessible
7. Easier to write and play songs in the keys of D, F, and G
8. Being a member of this club / Being different from most other bassists

Con: Playing songs in E
Those with fast, closed, low 8th or 16th notes are really annoying. I play heavy metal and there are several songs like this. Also, going all the way to the 9th fret on the G string to play the E2 (or an E power chord). This alone sometimes makes me want to get a 5 string tuned D-G-C-F-A#. Not having an open low E is also inconvenient. But it's the trade off for having two really useful open low notes.

 

[loukash]

Con: Playing songs in E

My easy solution: capo
Just make sure to get the right radius for your neck, especially when playing fretless like I do.

That said, there's another con though:

• reduced range in the highest notes

That can be especially annoying with Fender basses that only have 20 frets.
Just recently I noticed that in a song I originally composed and recorded in the 1990s, then playing a J-bass clone in regular tuning but with drop-D. It has a part where I was playing the highest D-D octave (17th+19th fret). You can't do that with 20 frets in D standard, obviously… :/

My current workaround was to extend the fingerboard on the fretless J-bass with an extra piece of wood so that I can play the high D on the 21st fret. At the moment it's just a quick "proof of concept prototype" that still needs some work (better wood) though:

 

[loukash]

7. Easier to write and play songs in the keys of D, F, and G

Oh, not to speak of Bb, Eb, Ab, you name it! I just noticed last year while I was playing with a jazz big band (unfortunately only temporarily until the original bassist returned from her parental leave).

 

[Cal03]

Another pro if you go 5 string: open low A (A0)! Take that pianists.

 

[MrAB4003]

My easy solution: capo
Just make sure to get the right radius for your neck, especially when playing fretless like I do.

That said, there's another con though:

• reduced range in the highest notes

That can be especially annoying with Fender basses that only have 20 frets.
Just recently I noticed that in a song I originally composed and recorded in the 1990s, then playing a J-bass clone in regular tuning but with drop-D. It has a part where I was playing the highest D-D octave (17th+19th fret). You can't do that with 20 frets in D standard, obviously… :/

My current workaround was to extend the fingerboard on the fretless J-bass with an extra piece of wood so that I can play the high D on the 21st fret. At the moment it's just a quick "proof of concept prototype" that still needs some work (better wood) though:

View attachment 6987389

This is what I do for some songs in E or Eb Standard.

I agree with you about FSOs (and Rics too) having only 20 frets. I sometimes miss the D4 and Eb4 for soloing or fills.

 

[MrAB4003]

Oh, not to speak of Bb, Eb, Ab, you name it! I just noticed last year while I was playing with a jazz big band (unfortunately only temporarily until the original bassist returned from her parental leave).

I tried Eb Standard but I didn’t feel inspired writing in Eb, Ab, or Bb. It felt weird having flat/sharp notes as open strings coming from Standard tuning. What’s more is that some of my favorite bands tuned to Eb Standard (i.e. Motorhead, Armored Saint, Metallica during live shows).

 

[loukash]

I tried Eb Standard

What I actually meant is that playing in Bb/Eb/Ab major is much easier with D Standard than with E Standard.
Much like e.g. playing walking bass in F major while tuned in E Standard isn't all that bad either, but playing Eb walking bass in E Standard definitely is a p.i.t.a., at least for me, not being a "routined jazz bassist" in the first place…

So far I came across only a few "classic" bass lines that are almost unplayable in D Standard for me, especially with my short "baby fingers", hehe. Billy Cobham's "Stratus" (originally performed by the great Lee Sklar) in B being such an example. Capo on the 2nd fret to the rescue!

 

[2strings2frets]

I just installed DR Nickel Lo-Riders 45-105 on my newly acquired Ibanez SR650E for DGCF. This is the second bass I'm setting up for DGCF along with the Sandblased Jazz, strung with DR DDT 45-105. This is going to be an interesting experiment comparing the two sets of hex-core strings by DR to see how much difference between the two in terms of overall playing feel.

View attachment 5476130

View attachment 5476131

How has your experiment with D standard worked out with the SR650E? I strung mine with the DDT.

I just installed DR Nickel Lo-Riders 45-105 on my newly acquired Ibanez SR650E for DGCF. This is the second bass I'm setting up for DGCF along with the Sandblased Jazz, strung with DR DDT 45-105. This is going to be an interesting experiment comparing the two sets of hex-core strings by DR to see how much difference between the two in terms of overall playing feel.

View attachment 5476130

View attachment 5476131

How has your experiment with your SR650E worked out. I have the same bass and strung it with DDT 45-105 for D standard. It seems to work for me, I have a Church gig where the BL changes almost all our songs from “as written” to F, Eb,or C. D standard just seems to make life a little easier. Best regards.

 

[michael_t]

How has your experiment with D standard worked out with the SR650E? I strung mine with the DDT.

How has your experiment with your SR650E worked out. I have the same bass and strung it with DDT 45-105 for D standard. It seems to work for me, I have a Church gig where the BL changes almost all our songs from “as written” to F, Eb,or C. D standard just seems to make life a little easier. Best regards.

I just installed a set of GHS Brite Flats (45-98) on my SR650E, replacing the Nickel Lo-Rider 45-105. Back to EADG with it.

I also replaced the DDT 45-105 on my Sandblasted Jazz with GHS Pressurewound 44-106 for DGCF. (My only bass in that tuning.)

Not that anything was wrong with those two DR sets; I'm just trying to get away from all rounds. That's all.

 

[MrAB4003]

What I actually meant is that playing in Bb/Eb/Ab major is much easier with D Standard than with E Standard.
Much like e.g. playing walking bass in F major while tuned in E Standard isn't all that bad either, but playing Eb walking bass in E Standard definitely is a p.i.t.a., at least for me, not being a "routined jazz bassist" in the first place…

So far I came across only a few "classic" bass lines that are almost unplayable in D Standard for me, especially with my short "baby fingers", hehe. Billy Cobham's "Stratus" (originally performed by the great Lee Sklar) in B being such an example. Capo on the 2nd fret to the rescue!

I understand where you’re coming from! I usually play in minor keys and with more dissonant intervals as a metal player.

Perhaps I need to play some more songs in the flat/sharp major keys. It might help me with my own songwriting.

 

[RodRy]

Pros and cons? Two basses could solve the conundrums I'm seeing.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

guitar gauges on an Epiphone EB-0 and a Fender Mustang. Right at the beginning Chapman says the strings are downtuned a whole tone, in other words, D standard. Both basses sound killer imho, whether you like piccolo stuff or not


Unlike how the strings are achored in the vid ( string run back thru ball), the best way is to just slip a bass string ball over the guitar string.

P.s if one is inclined to try this on a 34" scale bass with in line tuning machines, it is no easy task to find a non custom guitar string long enough to reach the post, let alone some wraps. If someone knows of some guitar strings long enough, could they post.

 

[MrAB4003]

guitar gauges on an Epiphone EB-0 and a Fender Mustang. Right at the beginning Chapman says the strings are downtuned a whole tone, in other words, D standard. Both basses sound killer imho, whether you like piccolo stuff or not


Unlike how the strings are achored in the vid ( string run back thru ball), the best way is to just slip a bass string ball over the guitar string.

Even my piccolo bass (my Squier Jazz Bass) is in D Standard. That way, I can match tunings with my other basses.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Even my piccolo bass (my Squier Jazz Bass) is in D Standard. That way, I can match tunings with my other basses.

Strung with a dedicated piccolo set or reg guitar strings?
The gauge used for D on the two short scales in the vid is a 52, which is around 25/26lbf. To have the same slinky feel on a 34" a 46 would be ideal.

 

[MrAB4003]

Strung with a dedicated piccolo set or reg guitar strings?
The gauge used for D on the two short scales in the vid is a 52, which is around 25/26lbf. To have the same slinky feel on a 34" a 46 would be ideal.

I have D’Addario piccolo strings on that bass. They have just enough tension for me.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I have D’Addario piccolo strings on that bass. They have just enough tension for me.

Shame they don't do a flatwound piccolo set. With the tensions in the vid, I could get away with XL bass Chromes 45 or XL Chrome 46 guitar string for D on a 34" with an inline or my sole 34" 2x2 headstock and bass Chromes 32 for G on the inline or 2x2. But then no option for C or F on the inline with either bass or guitar Chromes, although I could use a guitar Chrome 22 for F on the 2x2. Sux. I want to give this a whirl, but I don't want to have to resort to roundwounds or a shortscale to try it. At least not the short scale at the moment.