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Gauges for Drop D?

#21
Well, here's what I've seen/noticed/pondered over my 21 years of playing:

I've had at least 3 basses w/ slight to badly twisted necks (bought that way) and it's always been the treble side that was arced up or had more bow. Coincidentally, practically every set of strings made have E and A strings that have considerably less tension on them when tuned up than the D and G. I've seen some sets where the E's tension is half that of the D or G.

So, whenever I shop for drop D sets, I always try to get a heavier E and lighter D and Gs if possible.... something like 120, 85, 60, 40. And I prefer 110, 85, 60, 40 for EADG tuning also.
 
#23
JEDI BASS said:
Well, here's what I've seen/noticed/pondered over my 21 years of playing:

I've had at least 3 basses w/ slight to badly twisted necks (bought that way) and it's always been the treble side that was arced up or had more bow. Coincidentally, practically every set of strings made have E and A strings that have considerably less tension on them when tuned up than the D and G. I've seen some sets where the E's tension is half that of the D or G.

So, whenever I shop for drop D sets, I always try to get a heavier E and lighter D and Gs if possible.... something like 120, 85, 60, 40. And I prefer 110, 85, 60, 40 for EADG tuning also.
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thats odd how E and D strings have less tension. but anyways i don't think ernie ball sells strings with 40's do they? super slinkys which are the lightest ive seen have 45. would a 45, 65, 85, 110 be good for a drop D permanent tuning and can be tune up to E whenever i want?
 
#24
IvanHardy said:
i see where you're getting at but just in case i'd like to reduce the number times i have to tweak my neck and stuff. and as for the gauges i'd like to keep them ernie ball gauges. so i'd like to keep using ernie ball and not some other brand plus i'd rather be more safe about neck and not just leave it whatever. i'm still a little paranoid on stuff like that as i'm almost going to hit a year playing bass in a few months. just want to play it safe.
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Well, if you really want to play it safe, why not just tune it back to E when you're done? Takes about 15 seconds. ;)
 
#26
Thunder Pulse said:
Why is it a must that you stay with Ernie ball strings? They only offer 5 different sets for 4-string basses. You're seriously limiting yourself.
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Ernie Ball strings feel and sound great to me. i boguht a pair of the misfits dean markley's once and literally took them off my bass within seconds.
 
#30
You can go to juststrings.com and 1)check out the tensions of many of the different sets 2) buy a 100, 80, 60, 40 or (even better) a set w/ an 85 A w/ a 60 and 40 D and G (D'addario makes one IIRC), then 3) buy the same brand's single E strings in a heavier gauge. Problem solved :D.
 
#31
JEDI BASS said:
You can go to juststrings.com and 1)check out the tensions of many of the different sets 2) buy a 100, 80, 60, 40 or (even better) a set w/ an 85 A w/ a 60 and 40 D and G (D'addario makes one IIRC), then 3) buy the same brand's single E strings in a heavier gauge. Problem solved :D.
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how about the DDR strings in heavy that was recommended to me? anyone have experience with those?
 

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