Drop Tuning on Shortscale

[beate_r]

Hi Folks,

i need to drop the tuning on my shortscale Epi EB-3 half a note. Strings are currently D'Addario Halfrounds.
It works surprisingly well - the tone does not at all lose its definition, but i am getting a lot of string buzz. Ok, could be compensated losening the trussrod and increasing string height. Especially the latter is something i would like to avoid.

Therefore i am in search for strings with higher tension - and i need smooth surfaces - at most compression/pressure wounds - because due to side effects of my job my fingers cannot adjust themselves to roundwounds (i need to wear latex gloves over hours, and that keeps the skin weak).
Due to the short scale this turns out as a problem.
Any suggestion?

Thanks

Beate

 

[FunkMetalBass]

What gauge do you currently use? 100-45, I'm guessing?

Short scale strings are not very commonplace, pressure/ground/half-rounds even less so. If you're able to fit medium or long scale strings on your bass, you could grab a .105 set.

As far as short scale strings go, you may be better off looking for a set of flats, like D'Addario Chromes (.100 - .045) or GHS Brite Flats (.108 - .049). They are a little higher tension and less flexible, so they will handle the semitone drop a little better.

 

[RoadRanger]

Definitely try loosening the truss rod a bit.

 

[cfsporn]

I would consider using D'Addario Chromes or Rotosound Jazz Bass 77 flatwounds. Both are among the brighter types of flatwounds and both have high tension.

 

[beate_r]

Definitely try loosening the truss rod a bit.

That's already done, of course.

And yes, the Halfrounds are 45-100. Their string tension is already pretty high (and that's probably why the drop tuning basically works) - the tension of the Chromes is just about 1 kp larger. Well, that actually might make the difference.

Unfortunately, their sound is even darker than that of the Halfrounds.

 

[beate_r]

...If you're able to fit medium or long scale strings on your bass, you could grab a .105 set.

Medium scale should be possible - but i find them even less common than shorties, especially in strong gauges. Up to now, i found .105 only in long scale (otherwise i would have used GHS pressure wounds instead of the halfrounds).

What is known about the stiffness of black nylons? I am aware that their tension is pretty low, but stiffness might compensate for that if its large enough.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Medium scale should be possible - but i find them even less common than shorties, especially in strong gauges. Up to now, i found .105 only in long scale (otherwise i would have used GHS pressure wounds instead of the halfrounds).

What is known about the stiffness of black nylons? I am aware that their tension is pretty low, but stiffness might compensate for that if its large enough.

As far as I know, they're typically very flexible as well as being low tension, so I don't think tapes are the way to go for you. With the exception of Fender, they are usually light-gauge rounds (.095 - .035) covered with black nylon, which is a very flexible material.

You might try contacting GHS with your issue. I've heard that they can be a very accommodating company, so they may be able to help you out.