You take the standard tuning of EADG and down-tune all four strings one whole step to DGCF. That's D-standard.
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D1-G1-C2-F2, just to include the octaves.
I also tune my guitar a whole step down (D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4)
Curious where it came from, since the headstock does not look like any off-the-shelf ones I've seen.
I did do the headstock shape. Roughly (very roughly he he) tele style. The neck is a Mighty Mite pbass neck that was on a Squier Affinity body that I scored a fair while ago nowCurious where it came from, since the headstock does not look like any off-the-shelf ones I've seen.
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Update - I ended up going with the La Bella DTFs in medium gauge (49-109). They were the best in terms of balance and tension for my P5 after reading that the 1954 Originals aren't as well balanced as the mediums. "Medium gauge" is a bit misleading because 49-69-89-109 are heavy gauges in most other situations. The low D string is the heaviest string I have played in a few years now!
I strung my bass with the new DTFs and it sounds fantastic! It sings nicely in the upper register and it's got lots of fundamental in the lower register. As expected, they are a lot darker than the Chromes. The tension is nice for D Standard despite these strings being heavier than most. My tension issues in the lowest two strings are now gone and my bass is a lot more even sounding overall.
I revisited my DGCF instrument and currently have DR Lo Riders 50-70-90-110. Some research plus work on technique, instrument setup and signal chain led me (back?) to a stock set. This set seems about right for playability, responsiveness, sound quality and balance across all 4 strings in DGCF.
I see the LR 45-65-85-105 as too loose and dull/thud for me, but I wonder how DR DDT would compare. Not about to pursue that, but it could be a next thing to try at some point.
For some time I have been been experimenting with string gauges: i.e. thinner/thicker gauges, swapping out singles for "balanced tension" vs the standard sets, but that approach has its own compromises. Also, I decided not to factor detuner/Drop-D/C/etc into my string gauges anymore--it's the rarer thing for me so no need to compromise standard tuning. I changed my approach similarly for other instruments and tunings as well.
I see the LR 45-65-85-105 as too loose and dull/thud for me, but I wonder how DR DDT would compare. Not about to pursue that, but it could be a next thing to try at some point.
For some time I have been been experimenting with string gauges: i.e. thinner/thicker gauges, swapping out singles for "balanced tension" vs the standard sets, but that approach has its own compromises. Also, I decided not to factor detuner/Drop-D/C/etc into my string gauges anymore--it's the rarer thing for me so no need to compromise standard tuning. I changed my approach similarly for other instruments and tunings as well.
Keeping in mind my default set for the Lo-Riders (or any hex-core rounds) is 40-100, the DDT 45-105 set has worked fine for DGCF. The added stiffness with the thicker core wire does seem to help maintain playability and tonal quality.
I would have never imagined D Standard done like this! Advance to 5:00 to hear this sub-contra-bass in action:
Hearing this bass made me remember why I tune to D Standard the way we're used to. I don't need any notes in the 0 octave. I have no use for them. The 1st octave is low enough for my applications.
Who said it had to be practical? I think it would be fun to try playing, for about five seconds...
Hearing this bass made me remember why I tune to D Standard the way we're used to. I don't need any notes in the 0 octave. I have no use for them. The 1st octave is low enough for my applications.
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I recently switched to a D'Addario NYXL 55-110 set, and while the tension is okay (not particularly balanced, and the D string could be stiffer), the real surprise is the sound. My experience of new rounds has always been a fringe of unwanted crispy highs that I can't wait to be rid of. But these sound much more balanced and harmonically rich across all frequencies.
The best way I can describe is that they immediately made me think of the metallic bass tone in Lounge Act:
Interested to see how this changes over time - I've heard good things about their longevity.
The best way I can describe is that they immediately made me think of the metallic bass tone in Lounge Act:
Interested to see how this changes over time - I've heard good things about their longevity.
That's exactly what I have on one of my Ric 4003s. They're my favorite rounds (even though the D could be a little more tense). The heavy gauge (55-110) set is great for D Standard. Similar to the regular light (45-100) gauge set in standard. A typical set lasts about 6 months for me, twice as long as a set of regular XLs.
What bass do you have them on? Krist Novoselic played a Gibson RD Artist Bass on that song.
Finally gave 44-106 Pressurewounds a try and in D Standard. Tension feels right and and they have enough definition to sound good at low frequencies. We'll see how they age, but so far they seem to be great mid focused-strings.
They don't really handle the occasional dip into drop C well though, they have enough tension, but you'd still need to raise the action on the low C which isn't optimal for D standard. They do Drop C# nicely though which I prefer over Drop C anyway. (C# hits a sweet spot)
Might want to eventually find another good brighter set too,but right now I have no bass to put it on as I want to keep my other fretted in standard.
They don't really handle the occasional dip into drop C well though, they have enough tension, but you'd still need to raise the action on the low C which isn't optimal for D standard. They do Drop C# nicely though which I prefer over Drop C anyway. (C# hits a sweet spot)
Might want to eventually find another good brighter set too,but right now I have no bass to put it on as I want to keep my other fretted in standard.
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There's a huge difference between C1, C#1, and D1 in terms of tension. My D strings are pretty loose compared to the others (thanks, D'Addario), so I wouldn't consider tuning down to Drop C. My low D strings are 110 gauge NYXLs (rounds), 109 gauge La Bella DTFs, and 105 gauge Chromes.
In times when I want a C1, I wish I had a hipshot "C-tuner" or a Kubicki bass. I have considered getting a 5 string tuned A0-D1-G1-C2-F2, but I have limited use for the low A0 string.
So the PW's were a success, but sometimes I want brighter strings and I'm 5/6 string curious but don't care about low B, so a D standard-ized version would be interesting. I like my DR High Beams and those and their Low Riders seem to have single "C" strings in 25 and 35 so I got a few questions ponderings.
Are the 50-110 Hi Beams going to handle D standard ok, or does the roundcore lighter tension really make that and issue. (At which point I try Low Riders) I find 45-105 hexcores playable at D standard if that helps.
And can the 35 gauge string handle a high A#? What about the 25 gauge for a high D# for a 6 string. The tensions based on D'Addario XL's on a 35" scale is 38.8 for a 35 tuned to A# and 36.4 for a 25 tuned to high D#. I know DRs tension numbers will be different but is there any concern with strings being more prone to breakage at that tension? Or will it feel too tense when it that's thin?
Are the 50-110 Hi Beams going to handle D standard ok, or does the roundcore lighter tension really make that and issue. (At which point I try Low Riders) I find 45-105 hexcores playable at D standard if that helps.
And can the 35 gauge string handle a high A#? What about the 25 gauge for a high D# for a 6 string. The tensions based on D'Addario XL's on a 35" scale is 38.8 for a 35 tuned to A# and 36.4 for a 25 tuned to high D#. I know DRs tension numbers will be different but is there any concern with strings being more prone to breakage at that tension? Or will it feel too tense when it that's thin?
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I too, have found the 106 gauge PWs great for D standard. EB Cobalt Flats (100 g.!) work great for me in D, as well.
Standard D lover here, all my guitars (except the ones that have a hex/midi pickup installed) and my bass are always tuned in Standard D (meaning, all strings, 2 semitones down).
I've been using the LaBella 0760M's (.052, .073, .095, .110) since forever (always in Standard D) but I'd like to move to a ligher gauge 'cause...well, I am getting old! Ibanez bass, 34" scale, nothing fancy. I also play only with a pick (yeah, yeah, I know, lol)
I was thinking about either the 760FS (.045, .065, .085, .105) or the 760FL (.043, .060, .082, .104). The OSF-4 Olinto's set (.047", .068", .080", .107") scares me a bit because of the huge gap between the E and A strings, at least comparing with the other sets.
So, any experience with any of these sets in Standard D with a 34" scale bass, guys?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
I've been using the LaBella 0760M's (.052, .073, .095, .110) since forever (always in Standard D) but I'd like to move to a ligher gauge 'cause...well, I am getting old! Ibanez bass, 34" scale, nothing fancy. I also play only with a pick (yeah, yeah, I know, lol)
I was thinking about either the 760FS (.045, .065, .085, .105) or the 760FL (.043, .060, .082, .104). The OSF-4 Olinto's set (.047", .068", .080", .107") scares me a bit because of the huge gap between the E and A strings, at least comparing with the other sets.
So, any experience with any of these sets in Standard D with a 34" scale bass, guys?
Thanks in advance,
Nick
I got the extra light 760FX set to work in D Standard, if that helps you feel more secure about taking a step or two down from the 0760M set 
I got the extra light 760FX set to work in D Standard, if that helps you feel more secure about taking a step or two down from the 0760M set
Wow, thanks!
So, 760FL's it is then!
I have the medium gauge (49-69-89-109) set on my Sire P5 fretless, which is of course in D Standard. The tension is just enough. The strings are nice and balanced. That set is a little bit lighter in the higher strings, so it might be a nicer transition than one of the lighter gauge sets you're thinking of.
The standard gauge (45-65-85-105) set might be your next best alternative if the medium gauge is still too much tension for you.
Side note - yay to 1,000 posts in this club!
