Tuning up a set of strings (Labella RX)

[Sam Dingle]

I have a technical question regarding bass strings and tuning them up and down. This may get confusing so I'm sorry. TLDR at the end.

I have a 4 string jazz bass that I like to tune C# F# B E or down a minor 3rd from standard tuning. A whole step up from the Low 4 on a 5 string bass just to be more specific. I also like the idea of doing Drop B to get those extra low notes. I have the bass currently setup with Ernie Ball Slinky 130, 105, 85, 65 tuned BEAD (i had to combine sets for these gauges).

It sounds fine but I do like the C# tuning for various reasons. Here comes my issue.

I'm a Labella Strings artist because I love their RX nickels. I find them to be a little less tight than the D'Addario and Ernie Ball strings.

With D'Addario they have an equal tension bass string set that is 120, 90, 67, 50 that myself and from what I have read, others have tuned DGCF with success. I find D'addarios of the same gauge as labellas to be higher tension/stiffness.

Labella has a 5 string set with gauges 118, 100, 80, 60, 40. If I took the 118, 100, 80 and 60 from that set and tuned it C# F# B E would that be too much tension, would it hurt the bass at all? would the strings be too stiff?

I use 105, 85, 65 on my EAD strings tuned to standard, so it would be the 100 80 60 going up a whole step I know would be slightly more tension, but is that ok/safe. I'd obviously do a setup on the bass. but my main goal is to have a nice tension on the top 3 strings, and the low C# string while being able to drop it for a low B now and again.

Thanks for all the help.



TLDR: Can I tune a set of 118, 100, 80, 60 gauge bass strings to C# F# B E (one whole step up from a low 5 string tuning)

 

[J Posega]

I think the 118 up to C# is probably fine. It's a woefully unbalanced string set though, so the 100, 80, and 60 up to F#, B, and E sounds too tight for my hand. I've never played those specific strings though, so maybe they are lower tension/more flexible than D'addario.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

I like C#F#BE tuning with la bella original 54's. You buy the 5iver set, 0760M-B and use the gauges 128T 095 075 052. The 128T comes alive tuned up from B to C#. The F#BE sound very good with the gauges mentioned. Here they are on my parts bass

The nifty thing about these gauges is that they are fine in BEAD and the standard tunings up to DGCF. I've found the only thing I need to tweak is tightening the truss rod a little going from BEAD up C# to DGCF and the reverse going down.I do the saddle height and intonation as per BEAD and haven't had to change anything in that department going up in tunings including C# to DGCF or back to BEAD. Works well. I'm not gonna muck about with any other la bellas now that I use these Jamersons. Of the tunings, I must confess a preference for C# standard if push comes to shove, but I like BEAD and DGCF too. Hence why I opted for these stiff strings and the particular gauges in order to experiment within a range of tunings without too much stuffing about. You can also do DGCF well too by just replacing the 128T with the set aside 110. In other words, this 5iver set gives a lot of bang for buck. Stiffness aids the downtuning. And though the 128T is a bit soft as B imho, it is great for C# and D as mentioned.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I like C#F#BE tuning with la bella original 54's. You buy the 5iver set, 0760M-B and use the gauges 128T 095 075 052. The 128T comes alive tuned up from B to C#. The F#BE sound very good with the gauges mentioned. Here they are on my parts bassView attachment 5334640

The nifty thing about these gauges is that they are fine in BEAD and the standard tunings up to DGCF. I've found the only thing I need to tweak is tightening the truss rod a little going from BEAD up C# to DGCF and the reverse going down.I do the saddle height and intonation as per BEAD and haven't had to change anything in that department going up in tunings including C# to DGCF or back to BEAD. Works well. I'm not gonna muck about with any other la bellas now that I use these Jamersons. Of the tunings, I must confess a preference for C# standard if push comes to shove, but I like BEAD and DGCF too. Hence why I opted for these stiff strings and the particular gauges in order to experiment within a range of tunings without too much stuffing about. You can also do DGCF well too by just replacing the 128T with the set aside 110. In other words, this 5iver set gives a lot of bang for buck. Stiffness aids the downtuning. And though the 128T is a bit soft as B imho, it is great for C# and D as mentioned.

that sounds great but for me I need a roundwound set

 

[Prodigus Filius]

that sounds great but for me I need a roundwound set

I was trying to convert you to flatwoundism he he. Can't help with rounds as I don't use em.