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DR DDT Bass Strings

#61
wetzelman1 said:
well, just got a great deal on a set of these 55-115's. Tuned CGCF in my last band, new bands going down to AGCF. Just started playing my old 20th Anniversary squier pbass after a setup and shielding and figured I'd throw these guys on. I don't experiment with strings much so take what I say with a grain of salt. As soon as I put these on, I noticed a lack in output. I also think they sound thin/dark. CGCF was alright tension but definitely was not tuning down to A with any acceptable tension. They tone also seemed to lack any kindof punch. I took these off and threw the 6 yr old stings back on and it sounds much better, at least on the pbass.

I'll try throwing them on my spector and see how that goes.
Click to expand...

Well, considering you're using a gauge that's too light for even B, I can see how that would not go well.
 
#62
I don't think you're going to find an acceptable "E" string exists that could go all the way down to A w/out it being custom done. I mean that's even a full step down from a B.

Edit: Saw Burlington added this sentiment as well.

Plus I'm not knocking you, but I haven't known lots of regular Fender style basses to excel at extremely low tunings like you're attemping w/out mods or pro setups. Main guy I can think of is Troy Sanders (Mastodon) that uses his Precision Special II or something but that's only down 1 step to DGCF. But he has a custom Yamaha 37" scale 4 that he uses for their AGCF tuning on tunes like "March of the Fire Ants" and I doubt that's his normal .105 Dunlop set...
 
#63
wetzelman1 said:
well, just got a great deal on a set of these 55-115's. Tuned CGCF in my last band, new bands going down to AGCF. Just started playing my old 20th Anniversary squier pbass after a setup and shielding and figured I'd throw these guys on. I don't experiment with strings much so take what I say with a grain of salt. As soon as I put these on, I noticed a lack in output. I also think they sound thin/dark. CGCF was alright tension but definitely was not tuning down to A with any acceptable tension. They tone also seemed to lack any kindof punch. I took these off and threw the 6 yr old stings back on and it sounds much better, at least on the pbass.

I'll try throwing them on my spector and see how that goes.
Click to expand...

Maybe the problem is that there's way too much "throwing" going on here. :smug:

Try installing them instead... :p :ninja:

MM
 
#65
wetzelman1 said:
Tuned CGCF in my last band, new bands going down to AGCF.
Click to expand...

If you're going to A you'll want a .145 or .150 for the job. You will have a really tough time finding a string that will swing well between A and C, and if you are determined to do this I encourage you to use a .130 or .136.

This will be less than ideal at either A or C but will not be outrageous at either - better to be a little out on each than horribly out on one.
 
#66
well, since this caused some stir, my spector is strung with Ernie Balls 50-105's and that handles CGCF just fine with a setup. On this forum, everyone says that it doesn't work, but it does and it has. It's obviously not the best solution, but it works, and I'm young and in a band and have no money so I have to do what I can.

I wasn't necesarily expecting the 115 DDT to drop down to A, but it sounded worse and had less tension than my 105 EB dropped down to A.

BTW, before I need to put my flame suit on again, I've put a 125EB on my spector to play in A.
 
#67
wetzelman1 said:
well, since this caused some stir, my spector is strung with Ernie Balls 50-105's and that handles CGCF just fine with a setup. On this forum, everyone says that it doesn't work, but it does and it has. It's obviously not the best solution, but it works, and I'm young and in a band and have no money so I have to do what I can.

I wasn't necesarily expecting the 115 DDT to drop down to A, but it sounded worse and had less tension than my 105 EB dropped down to A.

BTW, before I need to put my flame suit on again, I've put a 125EB on my spector to play in A.
Click to expand...

All I'm saying is that if you use a bigger gauge and have an instrument set up for this use, it will sound and play better. I used .105s for a while tuned to Drop C and it was fine. After getting setup for .115, I'll never go back.
 
#68
Not criticizing - just suggesting.

For reference, average comfortable bass string tension lives at between 35 and 40 pounds. I have a Link Removed that ought to point you to appropriate gauges from me or anyone for the tunings you're after.

Your best bet is to find a local music store that does singles and experiment one string at a time. I sell sets but they lean toward the spendy side.
 
#69
So an update on my set of DDT 5 strings- .55-.135.

I couldn't even get the whole set tried out because... well the B string snapped/unwound while I was tuning it up during a restring (or watching my tech do it, more like it ;)).

Problem is the string doesn't taper down right to fit on the Gotoh tuner/peg after hitting the nut. It's too thick and at such a sharp angle it went "pop!" and that was it. Luckily the string set on there was only a month or so old, so I just used that string for the time being.

I'll see how the other 4 strings are these next few weeks during recording.
 
#71
So spent the last hour-ish straight on these.

Interesting, is the best word I would use.

I think others have mentioned the "stiffness/tightness" you get even when detuned is good to great, which I believe is the intent, but man do you give up feel and tone for it. It feels like there's a blanket over my cabinet/bass. Of course I am playing it flat w/ no EQ boosted onboard, but still. You definitely lose crispness and clarity with these. About the polar opposite of a set of Hi Beams.

They seem to be staying in tune well though, as with most DR strings.

However from the onset, I wouldnt buy again haha. If anyone wants my 4 string set .55-.115 for on teh cheap, lemme know so you can try them out. I won't be using 'em!

Will provide more updates as I spend more time with them. But again, yeah- "interesting" strings.
 
#73
I put a set of these in the .045 - .125 guage on my Sterling 5 and I'm pleased with them so far. I use standard tuning. The B string is one of the best I've ever used. Excellent intontation, sounds good all the way up the neck, very good tone and tension balance with the other strings. The overall tone of the set is good, but I wish they were nickel. For some reason the E is much darker in color than the others; sounds fine though.
 
#75
PluckyThump said:
I put a set of these in the .045 - .125 guage on my Sterling 5 and I'm pleased with them so far. I use standard tuning. The B string is one of the best I've ever used. Excellent intontation, sounds good all the way up the neck, very good tone and tension balance with the other strings. The overall tone of the set is good, but I wish they were nickel. For some reason the E is much darker in color than the others; sounds fine though.
Click to expand...

I agree on the B string....simply amazing. Cleary, punchy, growly.....lasts a lonnnnggg time too.:bassist:
 
#79
Not to get too OT but I just looked up Circle K strings thanks to this thread. Thank GOD Circle K exists. I have been beating down D'Addario's door to get with the program and do something just like Circle K has, but they acted like I was an idiot, and so have all of the unhelpful people at GC when I go to buy my singles. Looks like I may have found somewhere to buy strings AS A SET once again. Hallelujah.
 

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