To go to heavys or not

[DaveParker39]

I use .45 .65 .85 .105, tuned to Eb.

I play about 70/30 fingers vs. pick. Rock, mainly. I use overdrive for a handful of songs.

considering heavier strings (50-70-85-110) for less loose feeling strings, better sounding when i drop to C sharp, and possibly louder fundamentals on higher strings.

what I don’t want to lose is top end or the ability to have a punchy slap on the low E (I don’t slap a lot, but I do sometimes). I still want my tone to growl/grind including on thr low e.

Spector Euro 4 with emg Pj would be the first bass i would try it with.

thoughts? Should I try a pro setup with the .45’s instead? Or worth trying the heavies?

 

[MrAB4003]

I play D'Addario Nickel Rounds in medium gauge (50-105) for D Standard, but they are relatively loose for that tuning. Considering that you want more tension, I would switch to the medium gauge if I were you. You can also try the heavy gauge (55-110) D'Addarios if you really want some tension.

 

[Jett Litt]

Which brand of strings are you currently using?
What alloy are they wrapped with?
Are you using round core or hex core?
I assume they are a round wound.

There may be other options with the current size.

 

[DaveParker39]

Which brand of strings are you currently using?
What alloy are they wrapped with?
Are you using round core or hex core?
I assume they are a round wound.

There may be other options with the current size.

.45 .65 .85 .105 Rotosound Swing Bass rounds.

I play D'Addario Nickel Rounds in medium gauge (50-105) for D Standard, but they are relatively loose for that tuning. Considering that you want more tension, I would switch to the medium gauge if I were you. You can also try the heavy gauge (55-110) D'Addarios if you really want some tension.

I like the tension, but only if I can still slap/pop a little when I need to, and if it sounds good. The A string will be the same gauge. truthfully I think it's the .110 I'm most concerned about

 

[Jett Litt]

You'll get more tension with the 110 but also slightly less clarity. 110 always seems to have a shorter lifespan to me. I prefer 105 and I also play Eb & Drop Db

Hexcore is going to higher tension than roundcore, better for down tuning IMO. So you're good there as rotos are hex.

Have you tried DR strings before? Their hexcores are good for tuning down and avoiding a floppy C#. Low Riders and especially their DDT line.

I used to play steel wrapped strings but switched to nickels after they started chewing through my nickel frets.

You're best bet is to just order a single 110 and give it a shot.

If the 110 works out I'd order the 110 set. Then you'd simply have a replacement for that string when it dies.
Once you figure that out get a pro setup with your preference.

 

[Aloe]

I generally perceive thinner strings to have more fundamental, thicker -- more overtones (and growl/grind). but please note that in previous thread you ended up boosting not the base tone, but the first harmonic, so that might be the proper direction for you.

in fact, on one of my basses when I boosted treble and bass on thicker strings, thinner gave me flat EQ. the second one was growling like crazy (and it wasn't my cup of tea at the mean time), thinner strings also helped. and your direction is like opposite of that.

 

[Killing Floor]

I would experiment with strings since there is no best. Go buy a few packs and keep notes.

 

[RGerhart]

I have a P bass setup in Eb tuning with a drop tuner taking it to Db, so I'm familiar with your struggle. I've actually had good luck with these sets:

D'Addario NYXL set, 45-65-85-105: I had to raise the action slightly on the E string to accommodate the detuner, but I was super happy with the lifespan and tension of these strings.
DR Strings Pure Blues set, 50-70-90-110: you will most likely have to order these, as this heavier gauge is not the typical offering at GC. What I liked about these is that they are round core, so even with the heavier gauge, they still had some play to them--not too stiff.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I ran a 4 in standard tuning (many years ago) with a set of Rotosounds minus the G. The strings (.065, .085, .105, .125 if I recall correctly) felt like playing train tracks and could be played with the fretting hand alone without much tonal difference due to the sizing. The setup changes were fairly radical and required more frequent truss rod adjustments. I liked it, a goodly bit, until I played a bass with very light gauge strings that sounded way fatter and heavier than I figured possible. Now, no more 4 strings and no more heavy gauge strings. My stamina and speed have significantly increased due to the decreased effort required. This is an anecdotal relation of my experience with both crazily heavy and notably light strings, not a rule. I will say that the lighter strings took a bit of a learning curve to develop a more nuanced touch and not rely on excessive string tension to keep from tweaking the strings sideways and pitching a bit sharp.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

The best way to find out if you like it is to just try it. Nothing devastating will happen. At worst, you aren't a huge fan, you play a gig with the thicker strings, then put the thinner ones back.

 

[Katoosie]

I did DR DDT in C standard. On a Spector Euro. Worked great imho.

 

[GroovinOnFunk]

+1 for the DR DDT recommendation. Keep the same gauges you like now.

 

[sethlow3]

I am mainly a five string player, but I also had rotos on my four string before making that the bass I use when the tuning MUST be a half step down.

I settled on D'Addario XL Balanced Tension Nickel Wound Electric Bass Strings EXL160BT Long Scale 50-120.

They are great strings for down tuning. Well balanced and the Eb stays robust while still being flexible. Win-win!

 

[Swampman Cory]

I love playing 50-110s in standard. I don't play Spectors or EMGs, but would say it's absolutely worth a try.

 

[ravlin]

I play GHS Boomers (stiffer than average) in .115-.050 for D standard. I've always felt that any .105 E string is too loose/unbalanced to the rest and this set up pretty well solves that for me (the big string went up more than the others). Works for Drop C well also. I get the physics behind why smaller strings have more fundamental, but I can't play that light and feel like I'm actually playing. I should note that I'm a larger stronger fella than most, a lot of great players play light strings but for me I have to be completely unexcited to do so. So part of the question is how do YOU play and what strings work for that?

 

[bassliner50]

.050-.105 is my happy place. Dean Markley Blue Steels (med).

 

[Ulf Buck]

Try hex core strings. I use Blue Magic strings and love them. I endorse them but bought and paid for the first 2 sets before I met the fine folks at the company.

I play Spector Euros and USA and tune E flat and play somewhat aggressively. I still prefer the feel of 45-105 in 440 but have adapted over the year.

I have used heavier gauge strings and they feel too stiff to me.

 

[Seth DuSith]

I slapped some 115 DDTs on my stingray and it works wonderfully for D Standard and Drop C

 

[blr2]

Many people (until some years ago, me included) believe that thicker strings equals thicker, muddier tone. All else being equal, it is exactly the opposite, actually. At the same frequency, the thicker the string, the lower the amplitude of vibration. This gives more harmonic content, that is perceived as brighter and tighter (less boomy) tone. 5-string players have known this for quite e while, i.e. that a thicker B sounds more in line with the rest.

 

[Seth DuSith]

Many people (until some years ago, me included) believe that thicker strings equals thicker, muddier tone. All else being equal, it is exactly the opposite, actually. At the same frequency, the thicker the string, the lower the amplitude of vibration. This gives more harmonic content, that is perceived as brighter and tighter (less boomy) tone. 5-string players have known this for quite e while, i.e. that a thicker B sounds more in line with the rest.

Yea agreed entirely. I tried downtuning with thinner strings, and without the tension there is a severe lack of fundamental. Even just drop D, you can hear the lack of volume and fundamental.

And before someone tries correct me with their flawed understanding of physics, I ain't interested. If you don't agree, move on lol