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Is small gauge for downtuning cause a problem?

monodark

monodark

Guest
Jan 19, 2015
57
8
Bandung, WJ
#1
Hi, I just found out there are so many bassist using .135 or even bigger gauge (ex .150) for drop A (A, E, A, D, G).

Since I use .40 - .125 D'Addario on a 35" length scale bass and I like it, and it also gives me the clicking sound I need, I wonder is it really important to use bigger gauge on the low A string? Or is it just a matter of personal taste and technique?

In my opinion the bigger the gauge, the more energy you need to play it. And the deeper the sound it produce. Please correct me if I'm wrong. :)

I really want to know your view about this.

Thank you.
 
#3
The string gauge should be relative to the tuning you're in to keep a balanced tension.
So in order to make a bass feel stock with a different tuning, you'd want to go with bigger or smaller gauges of strings to balance.
For instance, I've ordered a set of Circle K strings for two different tunings with two different bands.
One was in Drop A, and my current band is C#.
So my 5 string's tuning went down on the first band, and up on the second.
This set I ran a standard set of strings with a .150 B to keep the tension balanced
B->A
E->E
A->A
D->D
G->G

And
This set I ran a set of .124s to keep balanced.
B->C#
E->F#
A->B
D->E
G->A


Check what gauge matches to what tension here Link Removed
You don't HAVE to follow this, but I find that using the proper gauge for the tuning really helps keep my bass playable with less flubbing around on that top string.
 
#4
AciDBatH666 said:
The string gauge should be relative to the tuning you're in to keep a balanced tension.
So in order to make a bass feel stock with a different tuning, you'd want to go with bigger or smaller gauges of strings to balance.
For instance, I've ordered a set of Circle K strings for two different tunings with two different bands.
One was in Drop A, and my current band is C#.
So my 5 string's tuning went down on the first band, and up on the second.
This set I ran a standard set of strings with a .150 B to keep the tension balanced
B->A
E->E
A->A
D->D
G->G

And
This set I ran a set of .124s to keep balanced.
B->C#
E->F#
A->B
D->E
G->A


Check what gauge matches to what tension here Link Removed
You don't HAVE to follow this, but I find that using the proper gauge for the tuning really helps keep my bass playable with less flubbing around on that top string.
Click to expand...


Thank you for the link, I found this on the chart.

"On average, standard tension at traditional pitches on a contemporary electric bass guitar is between 35 and 45 pounds for
any given string. For guitar it is between 18 and 19 pounds. These are reasonable bench marks when considering the
appropriate gauges for specific tunings."

According to Circle K:

A - .142 - 33.9 / A - .150 - 36.7
E - .094 - 34.1
A - .076 - 40.2
D - .059 - 43.8
G - .041 - 38.5

My current gauges are:
A-.125,
E-.095,
A-.075,
D-.060,
G-.040,

So, theoretically I only need to change the lower A string to match the tension.
 
#5
monodark said:
Thank you for the link, I found this on the chart.

"On average, standard tension at traditional pitches on a contemporary electric bass guitar is between 35 and 45 pounds for
any given string. For guitar it is between 18 and 19 pounds. These are reasonable bench marks when considering the
appropriate gauges for specific tunings."

According to Circle K:

A - .142 - 33.9 / A - .150 - 36.7
E - .094 - 34.1
A - .076 - 40.2
D - .059 - 43.8
G - .041 - 38.5

My current gauges are:
A-.125,
E-.095,
A-.075,
D-.060,
G-.040,

So, theoretically I only need to change the lower A string to match the tension.
Click to expand...


You are correct. They sell drop tuned sets at Circle K, where the thickest string stays with a standard tension and the rest are all about standard.
I've ordered a bunch of full sets from Circle K. I've got a Dingwall NG-2 Combustion bass on order, and I plan on ordering a set of strings for it for my C# tuning on it. Since I'm going up on the tuning on each string, I'll go down on the gauge. Sheldon @ Dingwall's said that their basses and necks work best with a tension of 35 pounds, so I may order something different than my normal set. For C#, a .124 .094 .070 .053 .037 set gives tension most that set @ 41 pounds. So to hit Dingwall's suggestion of 35 pounds, I may go with a .118 .090 .067 .049 .035 set that's about 37ish pounds.

You don't have to order from Circle K, but I really dig their strings. They're a little more expensive, but I find that I like the tone in them better than others I've tried. You could use their chart and just buy some sets close to that gauge and roll with it. Several thousandths of thickness won't make too much of a difference.
 
#6
AciDBatH666 said:
You are correct. They sell drop tuned sets at Circle K, where the thickest string stays with a standard tension and the rest are all about standard.
I've ordered a bunch of full sets from Circle K. I've got a Dingwall NG-2 Combustion bass on order, and I plan on ordering a set of strings for it for my C# tuning on it. Since I'm going up on the tuning on each string, I'll go down on the gauge. Sheldon @ Dingwall's said that their basses and necks work best with a tension of 35 pounds, so I may order something different than my normal set. For C#, a .124 .094 .070 .053 .037 set gives tension most that set @ 41 pounds. So to hit Dingwall's suggestion of 35 pounds, I may go with a .118 .090 .067 .049 .035 set that's about 37ish pounds.

You don't have to order from Circle K, but I really dig their strings. They're a little more expensive, but I find that I like the tone in them better than others I've tried. You could use their chart and just buy some sets close to that gauge and roll with it. Several thousandths of thickness won't make too much of a difference.
Click to expand...

I really want to try Circle K string, but I have to order it online and it will costs me more money, in the city I live D'addario, Ernie Ball, Rottosound they are easy to find, but other than that, I need to go online and it will take 2 weeks or even a month or more, because I live in Indonesia. But I'll try to get something closer to .130 or .135 and feel the difference.

Thank you for your help. :)
 
#9
I have 2 Jackson 5 strings, an early concert 5 with EMG P/J and a BQC Preamp and a new KellyBird 5 with EMD DCs and a BQS Pre. This spring I plan on getting a Spector Alex Webster sig which has the DC/BQC but is 35" scale so the smaller gauge strings will be even clearer plus the new band I'm putting together will be in B standard. For strings right now I have a set of Rotorsounds on both basses but I usually run D'Addario Nickle XLs.
 
#10
AdamR said:
I have 2 Jackson 5 strings, an early concert 5 with EMG P/J and a BQC Preamp and a new KellyBird 5 with EMD DCs and a BQS Pre. This spring I plan on getting a Spector Alex Webster sig which has the DC/BQC but is 35" scale so the smaller gauge strings will be even clearer plus the new band I'm putting together will be in B standard. For strings right now I have a set of Rotorsounds on both basses but I usually run D'Addario Nickle XLs.
Click to expand...

I assume you're playing metal, am I right? I play metal using Ibanez BTB 5'er with EMG and EMG preamp installed in it (forgot the series) and added MXR Bass DI+ through GK 700rb with the EQ set almost flat, it sounded great even with .125 at the low A.
Have you tried bigger than .125?
:)
 
#13
AdamR said:
Yes Im playing Metal, More old school sound though right now. Im running a similar set up. 700RB, EQ set to noon, Boost slightly up, Contour all the way to the left. MXR M80, Neo 412 cab. I havent tried biiger then a 125
Click to expand...

EMG + MXR M80 is a killer. Recently I got another BTB with Barts pickups and .130 Elixir attached on it, I'm running the same set up with this bass but the low A doesn't sounded as good/clear as the one with EMG. I'm a bit confused, whether the big string causes this or is it just the Barts pickups that doesn't match my playing style. If you have any info about this (Barts in metal music), please let me know. :)
Thank you.
 
#19
AdamR said:
I think there are many factors, exactly what string you are using, playing style, bass setup, whet tone you want, amp settings etc. What ever works best for you is the only correct answer.
Click to expand...

I think I'm agree with you.
Since I got this new bass which is sounds completely different with my old one, I started to looking for information as many as I can out there and finally join this forum, but it also confuses me a lot :D
 
#20
monodark said:
EMG + MXR M80 is a killer. Recently I got another BTB with Barts pickups and .130 Elixir attached on it, I'm running the same set up with this bass but the low A doesn't sounded as good/clear as the one with EMG. I'm a bit confused, whether the big string causes this or is it just the Barts pickups that doesn't match my playing style. If you have any info about this (Barts in metal music), please let me know. :)
Thank you.
Click to expand...

I've used Barts in metal, and they hold up nicely, but it really does depend on the set you're using. I'm vocal about thinking that the MK's could be better, yet at the same time, they do alright. It could just be that they're not my sound. I think the main factor in your new BTB are the Elixir strings. I'd put a fresh set of your favourite strings on it. The Elixirs just don't do metal well, in my opinion.
 

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