I tune low with my guitars. C standard or dropped Bb. So to match those tunings on the bass, what gauge/brand(s) of strings do y'all play? I've never had to look for actual bass sets before and I have no clue what constitutes standard sizes. And is adjusting the tension on the neck as important as it is for geetar? I'm assuming yes.
Yeah, I'd get a 5 string set or go with circle k. Kinda expensive but their strings are great. My BEAD set is the .130 34" scale balanced one and I couldn't be happier.
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I use Circle K for all of my basses. I have a 5-string tuned ADADA, a 4-string tuned CGCG and a third in standard. If you find the string tension chart confusing, just email them, they give great guidance. The thing I love about them is that you can put together custom sets for the same price as their pre-selected sets.
I'm sure I'll have to experiment a little bit, so I'll probably grab a 5 string set from the local shop. I'm assuming I should shoot for the low string being around .124-.130 ? With my guitars I tune the low string to C or Bb, so I'd like to be able to reasonably go back and forth with the bass, too.
gunslinger_burrito wrote:I'm sure I'll have to experiment a little bit, so I'll probably grab a 5 string set from the local shop. I'm assuming I should shoot for the low string being around .124-.130 ? With my guitars I tune the low string to C or Bb, so I'd like to be able to reasonably go back and forth with the bass, too.
If you buy a 5 string set you'll more than likely have to file the nut of your bass and then hope you want to keep it in that tuning forever, because you'll be replacing the nut if you ever go standard.
Yes you can use a normal set of strings. I used to tune BEAD sometimes drop A without any issues of staying in tune. I would obviously buy a heavier gauge but would use brands like DR and Ernie Ball with no issues at all.
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jwar wrote:If you buy a 5 string set you'll more than likely have to file the nut of your bass and then hope you want to keep it in that tuning forever, because you'll be replacing the nut if you ever go standard.
Yes you can use a normal set of strings. I used to tune BEAD sometimes drop A without any issues of staying in tune. I would obviously buy a heavier gauge but would use brands like DR and Ernie Ball with no issues at all.
Ugh, I've done that (tuned down to BEAD with a standard set) and absolutely hated it. The strings are so flappy and sproingy. I really can't stand it when there isn't enough tension in strings.
jwar wrote:If you buy a 5 string set you'll more than likely have to file the nut of your bass and then hope you want to keep it in that tuning forever, because you'll be replacing the nut if you ever go standard.
Yes you can use a normal set of strings. I used to tune BEAD sometimes drop A without any issues of staying in tune. I would obviously buy a heavier gauge but would use brands like DR and Ernie Ball with no issues at all.
Ugh, I've done that (tuned down to BEAD with a standard set) and absolutely hated it. The strings are so flappy and sproingy. I really can't stand it when there isn't enough tension in strings.
You can do it if you chinstrap your bass and nearly don't touch the strangs… you know the way bass player® and talk bass® want you to play
I went with a 5 string set of ernie balls. The low string is a .130 (which feels gigantic to me) and its still a bit floppy for my taste when I get down to Bb. Any floppier and I would definitely not use it. But it feels HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE and awkward (TWSS...I know I know). Had I known better when picking out a bass I would've gone with a longer scale. Also I still need to spend some quality time with it. I've been so busy with non-music things lately. The strings sit okay in the nut though. I'm not filing shit until I find what feels and plays exactly how I like, whatever that ends up being.
