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D'Addario BT - Drop D?

S

Stan_da_man

Aug 29, 2006
2,202
1,972
UK
#1
Having experimented with BEAD tuning on my bass, I much prefer the E standard normally found on 4 strings... not to mention the lower gauges!

My band at present is playing a lot of songs in drop D. I tried the .120 B but couldn't get on with it - I think the sound of an open string sounds better.

I was using D'Addario XLs which sounded really good for my purposes. I've never tried the balanced tension sets and was looking to get the EXL170BT set. The .107 E will be much more manageable and there will be no nut seating issues.

Looking at their tension charts, the E tuned to D will be a couple lbs under everything else. Has anyone who has used this set of strings had issues when drop tuning? Is the tension still pretty even if so?
 
#2
The set will have equal tensions in EADG, when you detune a string by a tone the tension falls to 79%, however that's still better than using a more traditional set. You can probably fit a .110 which would help a little.
Roughly, if you are switching between EADG and DADG the best compromise is found by adding .005 to the lowest gauge of an equal-tensions set, then the lowest string is a little tighter in EADG and a little looser in DADG.
 
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#4
String through body versus top-load is irrelevant, as is a high mass bridge (it's the mass of the bass that matters). These are both marketing gimmicks used by manufacturers to try and convince you it makes a significant difference.
Taperwound will be ok top-loaded as long as the ball end anchor point is a standard distance from the saddle.
 
#5
However since the gauges are 45 65 85 110 it will be less tension balanced than the EXL170 set.
SInce you like D'Addarios perhaps build a custom set .045 .060 .080 .110? But that may not be much different to the EXL170 set.
Or, there are some sets around designed for drop D.
 

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