DR String - Drop Down Tuning Gauges

[the explode man]

Hey Everyone,

A little background info - I play in a band that uses a drop B tuning (yeah I get it, no, I won't be tuning to standard and transposing). I'm tuned low - high: B Gb B E A

I know what gauges I should be using, and have ordered some Circle K's (I've typically been using a D'Addario 6 string set and throwing away the E), so I'm not worried about that.

Something that made me curious, and I don't quite understand, is the DR Drop Tuned sets. The gauges for the 5 String DDT's are .055 .075 .095 .115 .135, but the gauges for a 5 String DR Hi Beam set are .045 .065 .085 .105 .130. I am aware that the lowest gauge does have a .005 differential. And now to my question: why is the second lowest string .115? Should it not be a lighter gauge than the .105 in the Hi Beam set, as it needs to be tuned up?

With my tuning, if you were to put on a regular five string set and tune standard to start, you would need to tune the bottom four strings up 2 semi-tones to achieve a drop B tuning. So isn't the DDT set just going to add in a whole schwack of tension? This makes no sense to me.

Thanks for your consideration!

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

So wait...

Your Low-B is a normal B, and the other strings are tuned up a whole step higher than they normally are?

Not sure DDT's are the best string for you... You are better off (if you want a DR product) getting Lo-Riders in .135 .100 .080 .060 .040...

This means you would need to buy a standard 4 string set LH-40 and a single .135

 

[tylerwylie]

So wait...

Your Low-B is a normal B, and the other strings are tuned up a whole step higher than they normally are?

Not sure DDT's are the best string for you... You are better off (if you want a DR product) getting Lo-Riders in .135 .100 .080 .060 .040...

This means you would need to buy a standard 4 string set LH-40 and a single .135

For this tuning I've gotten good results with similar gauges... though I went .135 .95 .75 .55 on a 4 string.

 

[ixlramp]

Correct, the DDTs are confusingly called 'drop down tuning' and are for something like A standard, ADGCF. They are not gauged for 'drop tuning' = lowest interval of a fifth. .055 .075 .095 .115 .135 has an extreme rise in tension from low to high, check the tension chart for XL nickelplated rounds here: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf, tuned to ADGCF the A is 28.6 pounds and the C is 53.7 pounds. .115-.055 is ultra heavy at EADG, tuned up a tone would probably break something. I assume you ordered a purpose designed 'drop tune' set from CK?

 

[the explode man]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the responses. I went with a .136 .090 .067 .049 .035 set from Circle K. Manufacturing/company differences aside, it is very hard to ball-park that set with a different set plus an added on string.

For those that were curious, I was using D'Addario Prosteels XL 6 string set with gauges of .130 .100 .80 .065 .045 .030. I'd throw out (or donate to the starving children in Africa) the .100 E string and then use the rest. I found the .045 and .030 strings to be far under-tensioned, and would not give very great volume, hence the need to switch gauges/brand.

EDIT - I originally had a comment about how they still hadn't shipped yet. I emailed Circle K why I hadn't had any notice yet and they responded promptly that the strings had shipped and got a tracking code in that email.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

For those that were curious, I was using D'Addario Prosteels XL 6 string set with gauges of .130 .100 .80 .065 .045 .030. I'd throw out (or donate to the starving children in Africa) the .100 E string and then use the rest. I found the .045 and .030 strings to be far under-tensioned, and would not give very great volume, hence the need to switch gauges/brand.

FYI - D'Addario makes nearly all of their strings available as singles and they are usually priced reasonably depending on where you go. No need to throw away strings! They are expanding their singles line in the next couple of months to include more longer strings and some missing gauges too!

 

[the explode man]

FYI - D'Addario makes nearly all of their strings available as singles and they are usually priced reasonably depending on where you go. No need to throw away strings! They are expanding their singles line in the next couple of months to include more longer strings and some missing gauges too!

Hi SLaPiNFuNK,

Thanks for the heads up! I've actually spent quite a bit of time on your site. I was trying to piece together a four string set of DR's and try and add on a single, but couldn't find a setup that seemed like it would fit right (that is, with only looking at the gauge numbers and not having actually tried the strings). Living in Canada, making multiple orders to try out strings is going to cost about $15+ of shipping each time, so I figured I'd go with Circle K first. If they don't work out, you'll be getting some business!

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Hi SLaPiNFuNK,

Thanks for the heads up! I've actually spent quite a bit of time on your site. I was trying to piece together a four string set of DR's and try and add on a single, but couldn't find a setup that seemed like it would fit right (that is, with only looking at the gauge numbers and not having actually tried the strings). Living in Canada, making multiple orders to try out strings is going to cost about $15+ of shipping each time.........

I am always available to answer questions and help put together a set that will work for you...

However, shipping to Canada is less than half of that regardless the size of the order on the site.