Which gauge for ADGCF/A#D#G#C#F#?

[Skullheadrac]

depends on the style of music of course. I'd go .05 thicker on each string.
For harder rock or metal, it seems to get a nice growl without losing the bite when you tune down.

 

[michael_t]

Unfortunately not. I'm based in Europe.

What you might want to do is to fill in the box for "location" in your profiles under personal details, so people won't assume you're based in the US when making recommendations.

 

[gordonfreemanjr]

What you might want to do is to fill in the box for "location" in your profiles under personal details, so people won't assume you're based in the US when making recommendations.

You're probably right. I'll do that.

 

[gordonfreemanjr]

depends on the style of music of course. I'd go .05 thicker on each string.
For harder rock or metal, it seems to get a nice growl without losing the bite when you tune down.

Exactly my point: I want to retain the bite at all cost.

 

[MCS4]

What is the scale length? I tested a ton of low-A strings recently on my new 34" fiver, and also tried a few on a 35" as well. For 34" scale I would want at least 135 for the A string, and I would hesitate even with that unless the strings are higher tension than average (for example, Bass Boomers). This does assume that you want to be able to play fairly tight passages on the low A... if it is going to be for relatively slow stuff exclusively lower gauges would be more effective. I actually enjoy low tension strings, and have no issues with going fairly light on a B string, but the A on a 34" seems to cross a barrier where the difference in gauge really makes a difference.

For the rest of the strings, either standard gauge or slightly heavier seems to work fine for detuning a half or whole step.

 

[ixlramp]

Should I stay with .45-130 or move on to something thicker?

Depends ... =)
... on whether any string is too loose for you in A standard.
So it is not possible for anyone to answer your question, only you can =)

With 50-135 some of the highest strings might become too tight for you in A# standard.
The potential problem with adding .005 to all gauges is that .045->.050 is a much larger increase in tension than .130->.135. This is why manufacturer's habit of stepping gauges in .005 is a problem, the steps should become smaller for smaller gauges.

If you want to use pre-packaged sets then you will probably be forced to use either 45-130 or 50-135.

The optimum for you will of course be to use custom gauges perfected by trial and error.
Assuming gauges stepped in .005, and because of that, the optimum for you might be to only increase the gauge(s) of the 1, 2, 3 or 4 lowest strings by .005. The lower the string, the more chance it needs its gauge increased.

 

[micguy]

For even tension on the strings, my string tension calculator says 45-60-80-105-140 puts everything in the mid 30's in terms of pounds of tension (pretty low tension) when tuned to A, and at about 40 pounds tuned to A sharp. If youw ant more tension, go up, but go up more for the bigger strings - adding .005 across the board will add much more tension to the highest string than it will to the lowest.

 

[Ric5]

Five stringer here. I'm currently playing mostly in A# D# G# C# F# tuning with .45-130 gauge.

I intend to reset my bass to be able to switch between the above tuning and full step down, so: A D G C F. Please advice on gauge and type. Should I stay with .45-130 or move on to something thicker?

Thanks!

those strings should work for that tuning

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Some string manufacturers, including my personal fave D'Addario, publish tension charts online. If you like what you have, you can select a similar tension at the new tuning by referencing the chart. For example, if a string has a 41 ft/lb tension at one pitch and scale, select the same tension at the new pitch and same scale.

 

[michael_t]

Some string manufacturers, including my personal fave D'Addario, publish tension charts online. If you like what you have, you can select a similar tension at the new tuning by referencing the chart.

My personal fave, GHS, also has a fairly comprehensive TENSION GUIDE. That's where I learned, if I like the light set of the Pressurewound (40-96) for EADG, the medium set (44-106) would have almost identical tension when tuned to DGCF, 147.2 lbs. and 148.5 lbs. respectively.

 

[gordonfreemanjr]

Thanks for this. I'm currently on .45 Elixirs, however I'm not sure whether the B string is 130 or 145. My money is 130 though.

Therefore, my current LBS would be:
43, 51, 48, 40, 34

Looks like if move on to any .50 set, be it custom or not, along with switching to stainless steel, I'll be increasing the tension significantly.

 

[Aidil]

Many have guessed Elixir doesn't make its own strings. Instead, it gets its strings from D'Addario (mainly due to the exact figures of the published string tensions) and applies its own coating.

But, for sure Elixir doesn't have 145. It has 135 but not that common. Most of its low-B I've seen in the market places are 130.

I suggested D'Addario cause it's ubiquitous. Should be easy to find them in Europe. And they are relatively cheap, mainly the XL Nickels and ProSteels. Although, probably the suggested EXL230 or the EPS230 and the 145 singles aren't as commonly available as the EXL/EPS 170 and 165.

 

[ixlramp]

along with switching to stainless steel

So it seems you have Elixir nickel 45 65 85 105 130.
Electric Bass Nickel Plated Steel with NANOWEB Coating
In that set the 130 has a much lower tension than the 105 (assuming they are tuned a fourth apart).
While 105 will be absolutely fine at D, a 130 will be very low tension at A. Considering you have a strong technique it will flop around a lot, you probably need to maintain a reasonable tension on the lowest string. Also, larger gauges have more mass so need more tension to avoid floppiness.

So to acheive the option of A standard tuning i suggest you probably only need to increase the gauge of the lowest string. Elixir actually have a 5 string nickel set 45 65 85 105 135 which does exactly this.

If you want to change brand, i suggest buying a 4 string set 45 65 85 105 and adding a single of 135 (or possibly even 145). This gives you the flexibility of increasing only the lowest gauge without the expense of buying 5 singles.

You write as if a strong attack and 'digging in intensely' requires smaller gauges, surely it is the opposite? A larger gauge with therefore more tension allows you to play harder.

 

[Max Ue]

Hey. To avoid creating another similar topic, I'll use this for the following question - I'm looking to try 145 string gauge (D'ADDARIO XLB145 XL) for a 34" scale bass, so my question - will it fit the regular compensating Musicman nut? Cause I would love not to file it just for this experiment
Thanks!

 

[markanini]

For years I'm using 140-105-80-60-45 for A# standard on a 34". for A standard I'd use the same gauges but a 35" bass. 145 is an okay substitute when 140 isn't available.

 

[Max Ue]

For years I'm using 140-105-80-60-45 for A# standard on a 34". for A standard I'd use the same gauges but a 35" bass. 145 is an okay substitute when 140 isn't available.

Yeah, I think 145 must be ok for A, however I'm curious whether I need to file the nut to fit this gauge

 

[markanini]

Yeah, I think 145 must be ok for A, however I'm curious whether I need to file the nut to fit this gauge

Your nut slot will need filing, most Bs are 125-135 and 145 is significantly larger than that.

If 145 is OK for A depends on what kind of tension feels acceptable to you, and the scale length of your bass.