I have stuck to using solely Round DR Hi Beams for quite a while now on my GMP Elite 4 string. My band plays in drop C# tuning and I don't seem to have the clarity I would like on the low C#. I found myself resorting to a pick for recording because it just sounded clearer. I've have bought thicker gauge strings hoping that would compensate for the floppy, buzzing, clicking, unclear sound, it helped but I still wasn't satisfied. I was curious if switching to flats or semi rounds would help my case any? The thing is I do a lot of slapping as well. I still need to be able to cut the mix being in a heavier band. We're very bass driven so the bass needs to be very evident.
What strings are you using now? maybe you would be better off buying a 5 string set and using the bottom four, just going B E A D instead?
I'm using DR Hi beams with .105 gauge E cause the Guitar Center I went to didn't have the .110 and I needed new strings right then. I've tried the 5 string set.....but it killed my fingers with it came to the slapping and popping....then i tried just replacing the low E with a B it worked pretty well, but then it threw my intonation off because of the unbalanced tension on both sides of the neck.
Given the tuning that you describe, C# A D G, your only real option is to use the low B string, and compensate the intonation at the bridge. Flats are not likely to sound right for you.
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