Ideal String Gauge for drop B Tuning on a multiscale bass?

[StathisBass]

Hello, I'm looking to buy strings for my multiscale Grosmann bass (34-36 inches scale). I want to tune down to drop b and I'd like to hear your suggestions. Since they will be fitted to a bass that's to be sold in the near future, after some recordings, I'd like to find something in the affordable range, from the EU.

Thank you!

 

[michael_t]

Hello, I'm looking to buy strings for my multiscale Grosmann bass (34-36 inches scale). I want to tune down to drop b and I'd like to hear your suggestions.

Can you define "drop B tuning"? Are you talking about B-E-A-D on a 4-string?

 

[J Posega]

D'addario strings will likely fit. Use D'addario's string tension calculator.

 

[StathisBass]

Can you define "drop B tuning"? Are you talking about B-E-A-D on a 4-string?

Hello Michael, I'm talking about B F# B E

 

[HaphAsSard]

Hello, I'm looking to buy strings for my multiscale Grosmann bass (34-36 inches scale). I want to tune down to drop b and I'd like to hear your suggestions. Since they will be fitted to a bass that's to be sold in the near future, after some recordings, I'd like to find something in the affordable range, from the EU.

Thank you!

Flats or rounds? If the latter, nickel-plated or stainless?

 

[StathisBass]

Flats or rounds? If the latter, nickel-plated or stainless?

Forgot to mention that, preferably nickel plated although I'm also ok with stainless steel.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Forgot to mention that, preferably nickel plated although I'm also ok with stainless steel.

I'd consider gauges 50-70-90-130:
Pyramid Stainless Steel Wound Single Strings Bass Super Long Scale, 9,90 €
"Long-scale" (38" ball to taper) DR Strings should also be the right length:
DR Lo-Rider Bass Einzelsaiten, 17,90 €

 

[ctmullins]

String gauge is personal preference, within reasonable boundaries of basic functionality (i.e., don’t use a 0.050, and don’t use a 0.250). At 36” scale length I would start with a 0.120 or 0.125. Adjust to taste.

 

[fretlessman71]

Hello Michael, I'm talking about B F# B E

I refer to this as "Drop D minus 3": the whole bass gets tuned down 3 half-steps, and the 4th string gets tuned down 2 additional half-steps (that's the "drop D" part, even if it's not actually tuned to a D).

Here's what I would do: take your preferred gauge of string for a typical EADG tuning, figure out what the 5-string set equivalent would be (e.g.; 45-65-85-105 might have a 125 or 130 added to it), go down one gauge (in this case, it'd be 40-60-80-100-120 or 125), and ignore the G string.

 

[secondbestcody]

I do this for one song my band plays. I use Elixir SS or nickel 50-110’s on my Sandberg. 34” scale.

 

[iiipopes]

What fretlessman71 said. Another way to say it: take the tension of a typical B string at 34-inch scale. A 36 inch scale is about one fret longer. So you want a string that will have the same tension one fret longer. That's roughly one gauge. So if a 130 is regularly used for a B at 34 inch scale, then a 125 should work for B at the 36 inch scale.

 

[StathisBass]

I refer to this as "Drop D minus 3": the whole bass gets tuned down 3 half-steps, and the 4th string gets tuned down 2 additional half-steps (that's the "drop D" part, even if it's not actually tuned to a D).

Here's what I would do: take your preferred gauge of string for a typical EADG tuning, figure out what the 5-string set equivalent would be (e.g.; 45-65-85-105 might have a 125 or 130 added to it), go down one gauge (in this case, it'd be 40-60-80-100-120 or 125), and ignore the G string.

What fretlessman71 said. Another way to say it: take the tension of a typical B string at 34-inch scale. A 36 inch scale is about one fret longer. So you want a string that will have the same tension one fret longer. That's roughly one gauge. So if a 130 is regularly used for a B at 34 inch scale, then a 125 should work for B at the 36 inch scale.

Thank you both!
Do you suppose that DR's Lo-Rider 40 - 120 set would do? From what I've read, they're long scale (not extra or super long) but they are 38 inches from ball end to silk. What do you think?

 

[ctmullins]

Thank you both!
Do you suppose that DR's Lo-Rider 40 - 120 set would do? From what I've read, they're long scale (not extra or super long) but they are 38 inches from ball end to silk. What do you think?

Measure your Grossman along the B string, from ball-end to nut, and see how that compares.

 

[fretlessman71]

Thank you both!
Do you suppose that DR's Lo-Rider 40 - 120 set would do? From what I've read, they're long scale (not extra or super long) but they are 38 inches from ball end to silk. What do you think?

CTMullins above has it right. Strings can sometimes be TOO long. Whatever you get, the girth of the string should reach the nut, but not the peg. Gaugewise, this ought to be fine.

 

[iiipopes]

As above. Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the middle of the (in this case) B string tuner post;
3) purchase a string, or set of strings, which the wound length, or speaking length, is between these two measurements.

It doesn't matter what the distance is to the other strings' tuners for these reasons:
4) the E, A, and D strings are usually far enough up the headstock that only the leader goes around the tuners, anyway; and
5) if the G string is close to the nut, it doesn't matter, because the entire string will go around the tuner post easily. Some makers, like D'Addario, don't even taper the G strings, at least the common 40, 45, or 50; and remember that a common acoustic guitar E string is 52, and it goes around the smaller guitar tuner post.