Recommendations for Downtuning

[lizardking837]

Hey everyone,

I'd love some suggestions for strings for one of my basses. My current project draws heavily from bands like Mastodon, Baroness and Alice in Chains. Unfortunately the tunings these bands use are all over the place. However the majority of the songs I'm interested in learning from these groups are either a half-step down (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb), a whole step down (D-G-C-F) or drop C (C-G-C-F).

Essentially what I'm looking for, if possible, is a set of strings that can cover these tunings. Preferably in round and my preference is for strings on the higher end of the tension spectrum (think 45 - 105 EB slinkies in Standard tuning).

Any and all input is appreciated.

 

[knumbskull]

Here are some replies you might get:

"just get a 5 string"
"just play in E standard"

These are fine if you're playing jazz standards, but don't account for the requirements of metal songs, where you often need that low open string in D or C or whatever for pedal notes in fast riffs.

My 2c: there isn't a set of strings that will perform well in both E standard and low C.

A .110 set will be fine to drop as far as D, but will be a bit floppy for C. This might just about work if you can live with it.

Another option would be to string for open C (around a .125 low string) and capo off for the other tunings. Personally I hate capos on bass, but you may not.

A third option is to use one bass for E down to D tunings, and get a backup bass strung for C (and lower). This would be best all round but you may not want to spend the money and / or lug 2 basses around.

 

[lizardking837]

Here are some replies you might get:

"just get a 5 string"
"just play in E standard"

These are fine if you're playing jazz standards, but don't account for the requirements of metal songs, where you often need that low open string in D or C or whatever for pedal notes in fast riffs.

My 2c: there isn't a set of strings that will perform well in both E standard and low C.

A .110 set will be fine to drop as far as D, but will be a bit floppy for C. This might just about work if you can live with it.

Another option would be to string for open C (around a .125 low string) and capo off for the other tunings. Personally I hate capos on bass, but you may not.

A third option is to use one bass for E down to D tunings, and get a backup bass strung for C (and lower). This would be best all round but you may not want to spend the money and / or lug 2 basses around.

Option is probably what I'm gonna go with. I currently have two "practice basses." One got switched over to Drop D and the other one has a broken output jack that I'm going to replace this weekend. It was D-Standard when the jack went.

So Bass A will probably work for Eb standard and Drop D and Bass B will work for D-Standard and Drop C.....any recommendations for a set of strings for Drop C and D Standard?

 

[knumbskull]

Option is probably what I'm gonna go with. I currently have two "practice basses." One got switched over to Drop D and the other one has a broken output jack that I'm going to replace this weekend. It was D-Standard when the jack went.

So Bass A will probably work for Eb standard and Drop D and Bass B will work for D-Standard and Drop C.....any recommendations for a set of strings for Drop C and D Standard?

ah right - yes that'll work better.

DR DDT Drop Tuning set in .115 should work for both D standard and drop C. It will still be a touch loose on the C but this is pretty much inevitable if you're alternating between drop and standard

or Dunlop Brights do a 4 string set with a low .120. This is more tension than i'd want for D standard but YMMV

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Hey everyone,

I'd love some suggestions for strings for one of my basses. My current project draws heavily from bands like Mastodon, Baroness and Alice in Chains. Unfortunately the tunings these bands use are all over the place. However the majority of the songs I'm interested in learning from these groups are either a half-step down (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb), a whole step down (D-G-C-F) or drop C (C-G-C-F).

Essentially what I'm looking for, if possible, is a set of strings that can cover these tunings. Preferably in round and my preference is for strings on the higher end of the tension spectrum (think 45 - 105 EB slinkies in Standard tuning).

Any and all input is appreciated.

Only one set for all these tunings?
Possible, but going from Eb standard to drop C is gonna turn you lowest string into a flabby rubber band clicking on the frets and pups.

Maybe some 50-105 for Eb standard.
D standard could be 55-110 (maybe 115 if you want to drop the D to C)

Also use this to calculate tension in relation to scale and and gauge of said strings.
String Tension Calculator

 

[lizardking837]

ah right - yes that'll work better.

DR DDT Drop Tuning set in .115 should work for both D standard and drop C. It will still be a touch loose on the C but this is pretty much inevitable if you're alternating between drop and standard

or Dunlop Brights do a 4 string set with a low .120. This is more tension than i'd want for D standard but YMMV

I've read about the DR DDTs. Have you used them in the past and what did you think.

Only one set for all these tunings?
Possible, but going from Eb standard to drop C is gonna turn you lowest string into a flabby rubber band clicking on the frets and pups.

Maybe some 50-105 for Eb standard.
D standard could be 55-110 (maybe 115 if you want to drop the D to C)

Also use this to calculate tension in relation to scale and and gauge of said strings.
String Tension Calculator

I think I'm gonna use two basses, one for Eb Standard and Drop D, the other for D Standard and Drop C.

I'll look into the gauges you recommended, any brands you've had success with in the past?

 

[knumbskull]

I've read about the DR DDTs. Have you used them in the past and what did you think.

never tried them - recommended based on the fact that they're one of the few sets available in a .115

i have used the Dunlop Super Brights, which i liked. Zingy but still full sounding. Actually I see they offer a set in .115 so can happily recommend these.

 

[lizardking837]

never tried them - recommended based on the fact that they're one of the few sets available in a .115

i have used the Dunlop Super Brights, which i liked. Zingy but still full sounding. Actually I see they offer a set in .115 so can happily recommend these.

I'll check those out for sure

Only one set for all these tunings?
Possible, but going from Eb standard to drop C is gonna turn you lowest string into a flabby rubber band clicking on the frets and pups.

Maybe some 50-105 for Eb standard.
D standard could be 55-110 (maybe 115 if you want to drop the D to C)

Also use this to calculate tension in relation to scale and and gauge of said strings.
String Tension Calculator

Any advice for using the tension calculator?

 

[HaphAsSard]

Any advice for using the tension calculator?

First select "bass", then set the scale length, gauges and tuning for whatever you're already accustomed to (e.g. 34"; G2-D2-A1-E1; 0.045-0.065-0.085-0.105): this will give you an idea of tensions you already are comfortable with (it should be roughly in that ballpark no matter what brand and model of strings you use or plan to use). Write those down.
Finally, change scale length if needed, set new tuning, play with gauges until you arrive at similar numbers as before. Or not, in case you feel like trying heavier or lower tension for a given string.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Hey everyone,

I'd love some suggestions for strings for one of my basses. My current project draws heavily from bands like Mastodon, Baroness and Alice in Chains. Unfortunately the tunings these bands use are all over the place. However the majority of the songs I'm interested in learning from these groups are either a half-step down (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb), a whole step down (D-G-C-F) or drop C (C-G-C-F).

Essentially what I'm looking for, if possible, is a set of strings that can cover these tunings. Preferably in round and my preference is for strings on the higher end of the tension spectrum (think 45 - 105 EB slinkies in Standard tuning).

Any and all input is appreciated.

When I set up a bass for full-time DGCF, I used the D'Daddario string tension chart to choose gauges that were close to my preferred feel in standard tuning. It worked out well for my average tension preference, and you could probably use your gauge swap findings with other brands.

Be prepared to a full setup and possibly do a bit of nut work, or pay to have it done. Keeping high tension on a 34" scale instrument might be tough in C tuning.