Downtuning with flats?

[ourworldisgrey]

So I just joined a new band that plays in drop C tuning. I was playing some of the songs last night and I was thinking that my tone might be too dark in a full band mix. I play a fender jazz with chromes. So in everyone's experience, are flatwounds be a bad idea for downtuning? And if so, what kind of strings would you recommend?

 

[msiner]

What gauges are you using?

 

[ourworldisgrey]

I'm using 50-105 gauge.

 

[father of fires]

I used to play in drop c with labella flats.

It all depends on what you want to sound like.

I loved the sound. It sat well with the band. Obviously it wasn't very bright but, it had a nice growl.

 

[ourworldisgrey]

I used to be in a band that played in drop D, and flats worked pretty well (in my opinion). But this band is much heavier and I'm a little worried about being turned to mud.

 

[father of fires]

You will need a set-up. The chromes are higher tension than rounds so it should handle down-tuning better.

 

[ourworldisgrey]

Well the bass was last set up for ernie balls gauged 50-110 tuned drop d, would a set up still be needed? Also wouldn't I just need to tighten the truss rod? I'd rather not have to pay for a set-up I could do myself.

 

[GizmoTheOne]

If your set is balanced (and yours is), you only need to adjust the truss rod tension.

I play downtuned drop C# with flats, and agree with father of fires. It depends on what you like. Yes, it will sound "muddier" than rounds, very dark, but that's why you have an amp and that's why your amp has EQ. Don't be afraid to cut the lowest frequencies on your bass or on your amp and boost the mids, it will sound magnificent (IMO). Also depends on the style of music. If you play funk, that might not be the best option. I play mostly rock and blues, and it gives me great tone.

Notice, though, I play my low C# on a .110 gauge. At first it felt very hard on my fingers, but it's a little less sloppy tonewise.

 

[father of fires]

Well the bass was last set up for ernie balls gauged 50-110 tuned drop d, would a set up still be needed? Also wouldn't I just need to tighten the truss rod? I'd rather not have to pay for a set-up I could do myself.

The truss rod is part of it but won't cure all the problems that may arise.

A set-up is not essential. It will just make your bass play better when you switch tunings.

-better action
-better intonation
-less fret buzz
-just plain more better

Since the flats are higher tension you may not have any issues at all.

I don't think you will get muddy. You won't need to boost lows to be heard anyway. Good metal bass (I'm assuming it's metal or something equally heavy) needs to have alot of mids.

 

[veggieboy]

Would Half Rounds be the same tension as rounds, or halfway between round and flat? Also, does higher gauge guarantee higher tension? if not, how do i know a string is high tension?

I play in DGCF, but every now and then i go back to EADG, and my bass just feels so much better when i do.

 

[father of fires]

Would Half Rounds be the same tension as rounds, or halfway between round and flat? Also, does higher gauge guarantee higher tension? if not, how do i know a string is high tension?

I play in DGCF, but every now and then i go back to EADG, and my bass just feels so much better when i do.

Flat wounds in general are higher tension than rounds.

 

[Fine Cut]

my originals band plays drop C, and not long ago i swapped a set of Fender 9050m flats only my stingray, and it was horrible.