• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Regarding strings for drop-C

T

tazthewonderdog

Aug 30, 2011
124
1
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
#1
Hey guy and girls, this is my first post here, so please don't hate. :scowl: <-- to the haters.

K, so I'm just gonna jump straight to it and ask where can I order really heavy coated strings for playing Drop-C? You see, I sweat a bunch while I'm playing :hmm: , so I'm all for coated strings, but the heaviest coated strings I've found just plain don't work for drop-C! :atoz:
I'm playing an Ibanez GSR-200 the way it came from factory. Any help would be hot :)
 
#3
My suggestion is to custom order a set of Stainless Steel strings and soak them in denatured alcohol when they die. Do a search of "Denatured alcohol" and prepare to reap the savings!

Or just buy some Circle K strings.

*wink and a plug, guvn'a!*
 
#6
Yeah singles with the lowest string gauge increased to compensate for the drop, or a quick emergency solution is a 5 string set without the E string, such as 125 80 60 40, 130 85 65 45 or similar, looks like a big jump from 80 to 125 or 85 to 130 but actually they're at equal tension.
 
#10
FunkMetalBass said:
Although only mildly related, what is with all the drop C questions? I mean, that tuning specifically has come up in countless thread titles in the past month. Is there some really popular band right now that uses it exclusively?
Click to expand...

I'm kinda curious too. I've been using drop C at least since '02, although it really seems to be trending right now which is weird, because a lot of bands that used drop C in the early/mid '00s have gone down to drop B, Bb or even A. A lot of the "core" bands as well. Nobody I know of that's all crazy new and trendy is mainly using it.
Interesting.

I will say tho, AFA originals go, some people may be finding anything under drop C just doesn't work with your vocalist. We tried some stuff in Bb and just "ran through the set" in that extra step down and it just didn't sound right. We're trying some new stuff in drop B and Bb but yeah that could be part of?
 
#13
tazthewonderdog said:
Hey guy and girls, this is my first post here, so please don't hate. :scowl: <-- to the haters.

K, so I'm just gonna jump straight to it and ask where can I order really heavy coated strings for playing Drop-C? You see, I sweat a bunch while I'm playing :hmm: , so I'm all for coated strings, but the heaviest coated strings I've found just plain don't work for drop-C! :atoz:
I'm playing an Ibanez GSR-200 the way it came from factory. Any help would be hot :)
Click to expand...

I'm playing a (modded) GSR200EX. It needed a lot of set-up work, but it was worthwhile. It feels and plays like an instrument of $500! :hyper: Now your question about a real fat string for drop-C tuning: The nut is just big enough to accommodate a 0.105. :crying: What you need is more like a 0.125 gauge. The nut then definitely needs some filing. :(
 
#15
ixlramp said:
Yeah ... another drop C thread ... man!
It's surprising there aren't more string companies selling drop-tune sets with the beefed-up lowest gauge, the demand seems to be high.
Click to expand...

Its only a matter of time before it catches on. Ernie Ball makes Heavy Bottom guitar strings that are heavy gague E-G and normal B and E, so I figure itll happen for bass soon enough.

I just use really heavy gauge GHS Boomers for drop tuning personally. Cheap and effective.
 
#16
FunkMetalBass said:
Although only mildly related, what is with all the drop C questions? I mean, that tuning specifically has come up in countless thread titles in the past month. Is there some really popular band right now that uses it exclusively?
Click to expand...

Yeah its the choice tuning of these "metalcore" bands nowadays although a lot of them are going even lower to B and A as of lately.
 
#17
I'm really surprised that there is no STICKY for this subject yet.

From time to time I've played in drop D tuning, the slack of the E string dropped to D gives that nice "grind" for heavier music.

What I don't really get is drop C tuning. Why not just use a .125 or .130 string tuned to B?
Maybe I'm just the kind of guy who prefers all my strings tuned 5 steps from each other.

The same can be said for guys that tune to A, why not throw on a .155 tuned to F sharp. Maybe I'm missing something.
 
#18
Phendyr_Loon said:
I'm really surprised that there is no STICKY for this subject yet.

From time to time I've played in drop D tuning, the slack of the E string dropped to D gives that nice "grind" for heavier music.

What I don't really get is drop C tuning. Why not just use a .125 or .130 string tuned to B?
Maybe I'm just the kind of guy who prefers all my strings tuned 5 steps from each other.

The same can be said for guys that tune to A, why not throw on a .155 tuned to F sharp. Maybe I'm missing something.
Click to expand...

It depends on the style of music. Sometimes transferring a guitar riff written in a dropped tuning (like C) to a standard tuned five string can create awkward/near impossible fingerings, especially when there's a lot of pedaling off of an open string. I'm a five string player and I'm used to standard tuning too, but sometimes you really need to have the same open strings as the guitar.
And also, 5 steps is the equivalent of a minor seventh, now THAT'S a weird tuning. Five HALF steps on the other hand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back