Heavier strings for a short scale bass?

[chitoryu12]

I just bought a Gretsch G2220 last night. I love just about everything about it, but the strings feel too loose and twangy even when tuned to E Standard and downtuning even to Drop D is terrible. I was wanting to install some heavier gauge strings to see if that solves the problem, but I've never had a short scale bass.

What would be a good string pack for a 30.3" scale bass that would let it go down as far as D Standard without being too loose?

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Heaviest out of the pack set that fits that will be the GHS Boomers 3035 50-107 for rounds. Much of anything else is going to need to be put together using singles.

 

[michael_t]

If you're open to the idea of trying a set of half-rounds, the GHS Brite Flats come in 49-62-84-108. They're also naturally stiffer than typical rounds of similar sizes, which should help with down-tuning.

SHORT SCALE BRITE FLATS™

 

[chitoryu12]

If you're open to the idea of trying a set of half-rounds, the GHS Brite Flats come in 49-62-84-108. They're also naturally stiffer than typical rounds of similar sizes, which should help with down-tuning.

SHORT SCALE BRITE FLATS™

Thanks! I just ordered a set.

 

[michael_t]

Thanks! I just ordered a set.

One word of caution regarding the Brite Flats (or any other half-rounds)...

They do start out feeling sticky right out of the package. Just keep playing and the stickiness will go away in the first couple of weeks.

 

[BassGreaser]

I use La Bella “1954” set on my Gibson SG and love the heavy gauge.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

I tried 1954 La Bellas on my Gibson SG, but I felt like the .049 gauge was best.

 

[Ben Rose]

I'm just switched out to 45 gauge Chromes after finishing a review. I feel what you mean about stickiness on new flats - it has been a while.