Strings for Very Heavy Drop Tuning

[Bassic Playing]

Hey guys,

I recently joined a deathmetal/deathcore band, and having to experience in tuning to anything more than drop D or half steps down, I need some advice on what strings I should be using to stop me having a terrible rattly tone when I downtune.

The band plays bands such as A Day to Remember, Motionless in White and Trivium, so the tunings are things like B F# B E.

Thanks

 

[e41k]

From what I've seen around here some suggest to buy a 5-string set and throw away the high G, that way you get more tension and will get less 'rattle'. Don't know if it actually works though, haven't tried it myself

 

[tylerwylie]

From what I've seen around here some suggest to buy a 5-string set and throw away the high G, that way you get more tension and will get less 'rattle'. Don't know if it actually works though, haven't tried it myself

Nooooooooooo. Do not listen to this. The F#BE strings will be ridiculously over tensioned. You probably want something in gauges like 130 90 70 50 or around there. Grab a 5 string set and chuck the E string.

 

[e41k]

Oh my bad, good thing I haven't tried that myself luckily I know now, Sorry OP and thanks Tyler!

 

[mmbongo]

Here's a great place to build custom string sets.
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Check out the LaBella custom sets, they go up to .150!
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[spector_boogie]

We normally play in drop C (CGCF) and are now doing some stuff in drop B (BF#BE) as are you.
Standard strings for the most part suck for downtuning. The "tuning up" method feels fake and artificial and I hate it.

I use Circle K's, as do most other down/alternate tuning guys here. Why? They're the best.

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Try the .130 set. You'll need a setup and probably to widen the nut for your E string, but once you get it locked in, you'll see the difference. I use the .124 set + a .158 low B for my ACGCF tuning.
Nothing on the market gets even close.

 

[ixlramp]

^ what tylerwylie said.

Design and build a set from singles using the tension charts to give you your preferred tension on each string:
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http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
... or just choose gauges close to the Circle K Strings 'drop tune' sets if you want equal tension strings.

Or buy a 'drop tune' set from Circle K Strings, these have equal tension strings in a drop tuning.

 

[Bassic Playing]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely look into all your suggestions.

 

[jordy_on_bass]

Anybody used DR's DDT range yet? Tuning in BF#BE as well and having some string trouble. Circle K's aren't available here and I can't exactly ship over a bulk amount at the moment!!

 

[spector_boogie]

Anybody used DR's DDT range yet? Tuning in BF#BE as well and having some string trouble. Circle K's aren't available here and I can't exactly ship over a bulk amount at the moment!!

I tried the .135 set when they first came out in 2010. I hated them. Changed them after 1 show. What strings are you using now? I hate, hate tuning "up" but compared to the DDT's, I'd do the "buy a 5 string set and lose the low E and tune ADG strings up to pitch" option if you're running drop B. Just get a light 5 string set.

 

[ixlramp]

The band plays bands such as A Day to Remember, Motionless in White and Trivium, so the tunings are things like B F# B E.

First you need to know what range of tunings you will be switching between (try to minimise this range), then make sure each string stays within 30-50 pounds tension (extra-light to heavy) in all tunings. A larger range of retuning will result in more problems with action and setup shifting and tuning drift for a few hours after retuning.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Here's a great place to build custom string sets.
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Check out the LaBella custom sets, they go up to .150!
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+ 0.5
Try the LaBella Hard Rockin' Steel M70 set; they're custom for drop-tuning. They worked great for me when I tuned down to D on my 4-string.
What worked even better is the 5-string I acquired.

 

[ShowKing]

DR DDT for drop tuning

 

[TechDeath]

Hey guys,

I recently joined a deathmetal/deathcore band, and having to experience in tuning to anything more than drop D or half steps down, I need some advice on what strings I should be using to stop me having a terrible rattly tone when I downtune.

The band plays bands such as A Day to Remember, Motionless in White and Trivium, so the tunings are things like B F# B E.

Thanks

Lol metalcore