Which string gauge?

[MADnessMonster]

I'm normally a guitar player where I exclusively use alternate tunings, which, for one particular tuning, requires a special set of strings.

I've just acquired my first bass--a Danelectro Long Scale. I want to change the 1st string from G to A. (the tuning is DADA). But, as I've learned from my guitar, it's easier to drop a string's note than raise it. I'm pretty sure there's a .045 gauge on there now. Which is standard, right?

Which string gauge should I buy if I want to change the 1st string to an A?

 

[HaphAsSard]

I'm normally a guitar player where I exclusively use alternate tunings, which, for one particular tuning, requires a special set of strings.

I've just acquired my first bass--a Danelectro Long Scale. I want to change the 1st string from G to A. (the tuning is DADA). But, as I've learned from my guitar, it's easier to drop a string's note than raise it. I'm pretty sure there's a .045 gauge on there now. Which is standard, right?

Which string gauge should I buy if I want to change the 1st string to an A?

Half of what you use for the lower A will give the same tension; a 45 A2 (same tension as a 90 A1) will be tight but should not break. Whether you like it feel- and tone-wise is another matter.

 

[Lava]

You wanna play guitar on a bass?

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

You wanna play guitar on a bass?

Why not?

Strung up EADGBE for that very purpose.

 

[Iristone]

The Rotosound Billy Sheehan set uses a light G and heavy E, so it could fit your DADA tuning. I like your Bass VI tuning, too.

 

[Pier_]

The Rotosound Billy Sheehan set uses a light G and heavy E, so it could fit your DADA tuning.

that "43" G is actually a standard 45, but Rotosound uses a 48 G in the 45-105 set, so they had to label it in a different way

however, there are 50 or 55 G strings, and even the 65 used by Peter Hook, so actually a standard 45 will be usable at A, a bit tight maybe.

 

[Iristone]

that "43" G is actually a standard 45, but Rotosound uses a 48 G in the 45-105 set, so they had to label it in a different way

Wow, you know a lot about Rotosounds. Cool! Could you please tell me which set would get close to the 43-106 gauge as used by John Entwistle?

 

[Pier_]

Wow, you know a lot about Rotosounds.

I use them since forever, and I have a digital caliber at home it's been a few years since I started measuring string, due to Rotosound's G string in the RS66LD set which I felt "harder" than any other G in 45.

measuring it, here it was, a 48 I've measured many sets, and it was always the same. so for the Billy Sheehan set I did the same, and the "43" G is actually a "45", and feels like the 45 of any other brand.

John Entwistle actually used the standard RS66LD set, which back in the 60's was labelled as it was, with the almost correct gauges.

 

[MrAB4003]

You wanna play guitar on a bass?

The next closest thing to this is piccolo bass! Almost all my "guitar" sounds on my original songs are piccolo bass. This is because I'm not good at actual guitar.