Drop C# question

[Klopp18]

i used GHS Fleas in drop C alot. it was pretty floppy. but it works. they are .105.

 

[bassphreak]

crawling back on topic......I have made 2 attempts into the 5 string arena and failed miserably both times. I'm just not that good. I hadn't considered any impact to playing since technically the notes are all there.....

I now have a dedicated 4 stringer tuned to drop c to cover the lower end songs we do. I have used heavy strings, Knucklehead doublewides, Roto heavys, and DR (forget which). In all cases the E was a 110 and it has worked very well once I adjusted appropriately. Tension has been good and very much on par with my standard tuned basses. To me (and just IMHO) the feel and tone of the detuned 4 banger is killer.

One word of caution, moving back and forth from standard to drop C or C# may have negative impacts to the strings or setup. Most folks that setup leave a 4 string bass tuned to c# or lower are fine and very happy.

 

[knumbskull]

a good (but not perfect) rule of thumb is go down .05 of a guage per semitone you're drop-tuned, i find.

IMO of course

so starting with a music shop standard 40-60-80-100 set, for a medium guage drop C# you're looking at something like

.115
.85
.65
.45

...of course this doesn't account for:
- different brands of strings having different tensions
- making a 'properly' balanced set with matched tension
- your own puuurrrrsonal tastes

 

[JayAmel]

2 rude posts from rockstarbassist and 62Jazzbass have been deleted, and their posters have been warned. Please asking you to calm down and stay respectful to each other. Thanks.

 

[somegeezer]

5 string bass with a 130 bottom string. =P

 

[jasonbraatz]

 

[rockstarbassist]

So the Strings Forum is good to go with drug references in casual forum conversation?

Right on.

 

[interstatejoe]

I never impied that, tune to whatever you like.

What I implied was.......hell, what I was suggesting was, that tuning a string to C# when it has been designed to be tuned to E more or less is a bad idea.

I actually still stand by that. IMHO, anything lower than an Eb on a 105 is a significant compromise in playability (think back to Billy Sheehan's custom set of Roto's - done because he used drop D regularly).

The fact that some do it and get by, or even like it, is not the point. From a design/engineering perspective, it's a compromise.

Those that suggested a 110 or even 115 were on the mark. I was off the mark with the fiver suggestion, due to my ignorance of the demands of the style of music.

The end.

Valid point, but your original post did come off across as "Drop tuning sucks, just get a 5er and you're set", which is something those of us who prefer drop tunings get alot from the 5 string crowd.

And from a technical/engineering standpoint, most basses (w/ adjustable truss rod & bridge) should be able to handle larger gauge strings and drop tunings with no ill effects, given they have been properly setup for said tuning/string gauge.

 

[knuckle_head]

....

And from a technical/engineering standpoint, most basses (w/ adjustable truss rod & bridge) should be able to handle larger gauge strings and drop tunings with no ill effects, given they have been properly setup for said tuning/string gauge.

This is why I've been advocating the scrutiny of the gauges of said sets.

Regardless of whether or not a neck can handle inconsistent tension, it should not be subject to it. Playing technique and instrument performance suffer too.

.... just sayin'

 

[JMacBass65]

Valid point, but your original post did come off across as "Drop tuning sucks, just get a 5er and you're set", which is something those of us who prefer drop tunings get alot from the 5 string crowd.

And from a technical/engineering standpoint, most basses (w/ adjustable truss rod & bridge) should be able to handle larger gauge strings and drop tunings with no ill effects, given they have been properly setup for said tuning/string gauge.

Right, I understand how I came off, and that was unintentional. And BTW, I'm not a 5 string guy, as many assumed I was. I think that had a bit to do with the reaction to my post, if you guys typically get slammed by the 5ers regularly.

As for the technical/engineering perspective, I'd like to clarify something that I think was misunderstood by yourself and the guy who posted after you.

I have gone on the assumption all along that the bass can be adjusted to accommodate whatever.

It's the design of the string set I was speaking of. A string is designed to have a certain tension/feel when tuned within a fairly narrow range. So dropping a 105 all the way down to C# is going to be a significant change from how it was designed to feel.

Some may like this. I on the other hand feel the difference between E and Eb, I have learned to adapt, but I still don't like it.

 

[Burlington]

Ignore the people who insist you get a 5 string. Get a set of DR Low Rider or DDT 110 and be done with it.