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Strings for E-F tuning (6 string)

#2
Those look to be BASS VI strings, which won’t work for your bass.

You’re probably going to need to buy a standard 4st set and a separate C and F string, as there’s no E-F packaged set available for a typical 34” scale basis.
 
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#3
Jon Moody said:
Those look to be BASS VI strings, which won’t work for your bass.

You’re probably going to need to buy a standard 4st set and a separate C and F string, as there’s no E-F packaged set available for a typical 34” scale basis.
Click to expand...

If i use a standard light 4 string set, what guages are generally recommended for the C and F and I presume I want wound for the F?
 
#4
jzucker said:
If i use a standard light 4 string set, what guages are generally recommended for the C and F and I presume I want wound for the F?
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Using the GHS Boomers just as an example, here's how the tension figures work out...

The light 4-string set (40-95), plus 30C and 20F (both wound):

F 020 - 35.5 lbs.
C 030 - 37.2
G 040 - 33.6
D 055 - 35.2
A 075 - 35.9
E 095 - 36.1
 
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#8
I use the Dean Markley SR2000 7 string set (and chuck the B string) for my six tuned E-F. I own a few new sets of those, but I'm tagging onto this thread to see what others suggest.
 
#9
michael_t said:
Yes, but only in "long plus" with 38" winding length. But it shouldn't matter with a small gauge like that. The .030 does come in both 37.25" and 38".

Singles - Bass Boomers

Singles - Long Scale Plus Bass Boomers
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Well, this is interesting... I just took a peek at the stash of my unused strings, as I remember buying a .020 wound string from BSO around 5 years ago, to see that the envelope is marked Ken Smith Burner, which means that probably it is the same as that Boomers .020 wound single you were referring to, as often mentioned here that GHS makes strings for KS.
 
#10
I tune my main bass E - F.
It was strung with D’Addario Nickel Roundwounds. .100, .075, .055, .042, .032, .020 (Plain steel XLB020p).

I have restrung it, it now has Thomastik Infeld Nickel Flatwounds on it.
.100, .070, .056, .043, .033, .020 (still Plain steel XLB020p).

Either way works perfectly fine, capable of playing basslines, chords and melodies. I just happen to prefer the flats.
20210424_151428.jpg
 
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#11
jzucker said:
If i use a standard light 4 string set, what guages are generally recommended for the C and F and I presume I want wound for the F?
Click to expand...

Totally depends on what you're comfortable with. I go light on my 7st, using 20-30-40-55-75-95-120 as my gauges, all wound. Pull off the last one, and that's what I'd recommend.


Aidil said:
Are the Boomers available in .020 wound?
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Yep. It bears mentioning that tonally, I honestly can't tell a difference between the DY20 and a PB20 (plain bass string). To me, the real benefit of the wound DY20 is in the feel of it. It still feels very different and closer to the other wound strings, even at such a small gauge.
 
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#12
When I had a full 34" scale 6 string bass, tuned in D standard tuning, as in 2 half steps bellow E standard tuning, that is D - G - C - F - A#- D# I used the 6th gauge .024 string from D'Addario's XL156 Bass VI set for the D# string, since those are longer than regular guitar strings, making it the perfect length, since the tuning key for the highest string on a 6 string bass usually is the one closest to the bridge.

To not make the guitar sized ball end of the string go through the string hole in the bridge I just threaded it through the cut off ball end of an old bass string.

Of course you would waste your money by buying a whole set of strings just to use 1 of them, but it works at least.

I think the gauges I used for all 6 strings was: .105 - .080 - .060 - .045 - .032 - .024, which was close to perfect balanced tension, and as I prefer a pretty low tension this might also be perfect for you, even if you tune in E standard tuning.
 
#13
jzucker said:
If i use a standard light 4 string set, what guages are generally recommended for the C and F and I presume I want wound for the F?
Click to expand...
Entirely depends what gauges you mean by 'standard light set'?
There are no general recommendations really, people have differing needs and preferences.
How do you want to use the higher strings? The more you want to chord, solo, tap or use advanced or guitar techniques the lower the tension should be on the highest strings, and the more helpful it is to have tension falling towards the highest string (falling tension really helps playability and creates a more even 'feel' and playability).

The examples in this thread all have a rather tight C compared to the G, and a 30 C is probably excessively tight for a 'light' set.

A plain steel F can be a guitar string with a bass ferrule threaded onto it, very cheap and very tough, worth at least trying a few gauges from .016 to .020. Thin wound strings of .020 or .022 are fragile at F.

I suggest using a tension calculator, starting with your G gauge create a slight and consistent fall in tension across GCF, never a rise in tension.
 
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#14
ixlramp said:
A plain steel F can be a guitar string with a bass ferrule threaded onto it, very cheap and very tough, worth at least trying a few gauges from .016 to .020. Thin wound strings of .020 or .022 are fragile at F.
Click to expand...

My F is .022. It's never been a problem for me, and I've been using this bass for over five years. YMMV, JMO

Edit: I should mention that my bass is 32” scale.
 
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#15
ixlramp said:
Thin wound strings of .020 or .022 are fragile at F.
Click to expand...

They take some extra care when stringing up (as they're so light), but fragile? No.

I've been using the wound .020 on my 35" Surine for years; no issue. I also have a number of artists that I custom made a wound .022 for them for 35" and 34" scale basses, with no issue. A wound .020 works really well as an octave G for a short scale piccolo set.

I definitely wouldn't go past an F in 34" scale, or using a .024 for an F, but wound .020 and .022 should be no issue or cause for concern. Tonally, they tend to "give up the ghost" quicker, but I find that a benefit.
 
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#20
The sr2000 set is all wound. I can’t get it to show on my phone camera but I’m checking it right now.
AC30F85B-E989-4947-9891-1B34796F071D.jpeg
2470E05A-4271-42B1-9169-98B36D920BB2.jpeg


Edit: it's a really fine wind, obviously, so it's hard to see, but if you run your finger along it, you can tell that it's not just wire.
 
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