What gauge strings would be best for playing in Drop C?

[FBS1996]

What gauge strings should I get for playing in C G C F? At the moment I'm using 45-105 but the E string sounds dreadful when tuned down to C. I like that treblely, snappy, new strings kinda sound. Which strings should I get?

Edit: I like there to be a lot of tension.

 

[Jay2U]

The E would have to be something like .125... if the nut supports this. The other strings may also be a little fatter, like .050, .075, .090.

 

[Josh Pelican]

What kind of tension do you like?

I'd suggest one of these:
.124 .094 .070 .053
.130 .098 .073 .055

If you like really, really loose tension, you could even go for something like:
.118 .090 .067 .049

 

[lowendgenerator]

DR LO-RIDERS

floppy: 115-85-65-45

tight: 120-90-70-50

That's what I use to tune CGCF, after years of trial and expensive error.

 

[knuckle_head]

If you like a .105 for standard E; .130 .086 .065 .047 (.033)

If you like .100 at E; .124 .082 .061 .045 (.031)

Remember you have an extra whole step on bottom . . .

And of course - I recommend my strings.

 

[lowendgenerator]

If you like a .105 for standard E; .130 .086 .065 .047 (.033)

If you like .100 at E; .124 .082 .061 .045 (.031)

Remember you have an extra whole step on bottom . . .

And of course - I recommend my strings.

We keep meeting on these low tuning threads. One of these days, I'm gonna have to cave in and try a set of your strings. .130 sounds like it would require a bit of nut modding though.

 

[knuckle_head]

I bet you'll find it's worth it.

 

[Josh Pelican]

For what it's worth, I had DR Lo-Riders on my Spector for CGCF, then put a set of Circle K's on for Drop B. Both strings sound amazing on it. They're really crunchy and perfect (to me) for finger or picking, especially with a bit of fuzz.

Circle K strings are simply amazing.

 

[rockstarbassist]

I use the CK .124 set for Drop C. Look n'further.

 

[ixlramp]

Circle K 'drop tune' sets are designed to have all strings at equal tension in a drop tuning, the lowest gauge is increased to compensate for the drop ...
Link Removed

... or single strings of another brand with similar gauges to the CKs.

 

[MrPring]

tight: 120-90-70-50

That's what I use to tune CGCF, after years of trial and expensive error.

This is what i use too.

Had my 4 string set up with those exact guages and its the same tension as a 100-40 set in EADG.

 

[mr.black]

try DR's DDT strings too.

 

[Zodion]

i just use 105-45 and they sound fine. i tried using a 130 but hated it. i think a lot of it is in the set up

 

[MARK BAKER]

This is a question with many answers. I can say if you want to be typical then yes, using the higher gauge 130 and up is typical. I personally think if yo are using 105's then that is way too light for that type of drop tuning. This is a matter of "what type of player are you and what type of music do you play?"

I can not get the tone I want by using extremely heavy strings beyond 120's. its like playing with cables that hold bridges...LOL I chose the middle of the road. I want a low end punch mixed with a high end growl. I use GHS Boomers Heavy .50 .70 .95 .115 I have another bass where I opened up the nut and use .120

I do a lot of pull offs and using my effects and pedals I scream my bass as well. You can't do that on strings that are too heavy. My tone would a mix of Justin Chancellor meets Doug pinnik

 

[Camaro]

Zombie thread, guys.

 

[Szczota]

Guys , from some time I have playing at 5 string bass with tuning C G C F AIS what will be the best string gauges ? as I look to keep good tension to neck it should be something like 0.125 0.90 0.70 0.55 0.35
I also wondering if the better choices will not be 4 string bass in this case.

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

I have a P bass set up.for standard C with a 50-110 rotosound 66 set. Totally nasty and full sounding.

 

[donahue]

Hijack but still on-topic

What gauges would you suggest for alternating between Drop B and C tuning on a 4 string?

My go-to typical setup is DR Nickel Lo Riders Medium Lite tuned to Eb. I have that on almost all of my basses and I love the tone and feel.

I recently started jamming with a couple of groups that down-tune. I really liked it. I was in a pinch so I down-tuned a bass with a set of medium D'Adarrios XL's and it worked good but not great.

I was thinking a set of 5 string Med gauge Nickel Lo Riders minus the E string or the Kalium 124 or 130 4 string drop tune set?

 

[Catbuster]

.125-.090-.070-.050

 

[Thir13teen]

What gauge strings should I get for playing in C G C F? At the moment I'm using 45-105 but the E string sounds dreadful when tuned down to C. I like that treblely, snappy, new strings kinda sound. Which strings should I get?

Edit: I like there to be a lot of tension.

I got these on my Modulus VJ tuned C# F# B E