Newbie question: Do you need different strings for drop tuning, or does it effect the strings very much? Thank-you.
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drop-tuning
- Thread starter nothinglikesun9
- Start date
It depends on how far you drop. Some manufacturers make strings specifically for drop tuning (e.g., DR's DDTs).
entirely too many variables
how stiff is your neck?
which strings do you have on? (flats or rounds)
how comfortable are you with playing on lower tension?
how low are you dropping?
I've got some Cobalt Flats on right now that I usually keep tuned to E standard, but sometimes I go as low as D Drop C.
If I leave it in D Drop C overnight, then I'll have fret buzz in the morning.
If you're going for C# standard or lower, then I'd recommend using heavier gauge than when you tune to E standard.
how stiff is your neck?
which strings do you have on? (flats or rounds)
how comfortable are you with playing on lower tension?
how low are you dropping?
I've got some Cobalt Flats on right now that I usually keep tuned to E standard, but sometimes I go as low as D Drop C.
If I leave it in D Drop C overnight, then I'll have fret buzz in the morning.
If you're going for C# standard or lower, then I'd recommend using heavier gauge than when you tune to E standard.
Thank-you. I was going to try All Apologies, but it states to drop-tune a half-step down on all strings, and to drop the E string to C#. I play an 2014 American Standard P-Bass, and have D’Addario XL 170s round wounds on.
I forgot to add, just try it...
if the strings are too floppy for you, pluck closer to the bridge, still not good enough, get thicker strings
if the strings are too floppy for you, pluck closer to the bridge, still not good enough, get thicker strings
I will--thank-you!I forgot to add, just try it...
if the strings are too floppy for you, pluck closer to the bridge, still not good enough, get thicker strings
Try DR DDTs.
You can use the same gauge as you do now, and drop tunings feel like standard tunings.
I love them for C# and lower. No setup required.
You can use the same gauge as you do now, and drop tunings feel like standard tunings.
I love them for C# and lower. No setup required.
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That may be the marketing hype from DR but that's not entirely true.
If you use the same gauge then drop a string by 2 semitones the absolute tension will inevitably fall to 79% of it's former value. To compensate and reduce floppiness, the strings have thick cores to create deliberate stiffness (not good for tone and harmonicity) to raise 'perceived tension'. So they will feel different due to a different type of 'tension', some absolute (scientific) tension is shifted to 'stiffness perceived tension'.
A setup is necessary with almost any string change, if the gauges are the same the extra stiffness means a change of saddle intonation. Because you will be dropping, saddle heights and the truss rod will also probably need adjusting.
Well, I was speaking from my own experience.
Not quoting "marketing hype".
And I fully understand what you're saying.
However, my basses with DDTs feel great, and required no setup adjustments.
Including intonation.
And yes, I do know how to properly make said adjustments.
You can get away with drop d or d standard on completely normal guages. But yeah, Db and lower, invest in thicker gauges.
You might get away with flats of the "standard" gauge for C#/Db, but that's about as low as you could get w/o them just being like wet spaghetti.
Instead of buying new strings, why not learn to play the song a half step up, in Drop-D? That's allowed, you know.
I've been experimenting with BEAD tuning. Tried the chrome flats which did okay, but not great.
I'm now using ghs nylons which seem to be doing much better. I did have to raise the the strings up. Has anyone else tried nylons for drop tuning? Also, dh doesn't make these anymore, so I'll have to buy another set if I want to have it setup with that tuning. I bought a 5 string, but I'm finding that it's heavy and wide, and I don't really use the higher strings on my 4 string even with the BEAD tuning, so I'd rather use it if I can find good strings to hold the tone. If I go with thicker strings, I'll have to have the nut changed to accommodate them.
I'm now using ghs nylons which seem to be doing much better. I did have to raise the the strings up. Has anyone else tried nylons for drop tuning? Also, dh doesn't make these anymore, so I'll have to buy another set if I want to have it setup with that tuning. I bought a 5 string, but I'm finding that it's heavy and wide, and I don't really use the higher strings on my 4 string even with the BEAD tuning, so I'd rather use it if I can find good strings to hold the tone. If I go with thicker strings, I'll have to have the nut changed to accommodate them.
