Bass string suggestions

SpellboundByMetal · Post by **SpellboundByMetal** » Sunday Feb 26, 2006

hey everyone,
i was wondering if anyone had gauge suggestions for bass strings. we tune to C#, F#, B, E
the strings i have now kinda flap because i DONT play bass like a fag. Metal music...metal playing! can anyone suggest a good gauge ? thanks!!!!!

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Sunday Feb 26, 2006

Something that worked really well for me was GHS Boomers 50-115 guage. I think you might really dig them. I have turned Danny from HOC onto them, Steve from Rennis/KJ uses them...

They have lots of punch and nice clarity. I always boiled them once after a few plays and was able to prolong their life... they sounded just as good till a 2nd boil was needed. From there I just went and bought another pair. A second boil works, but the tone isnt there in my opinion.

These strings kick major ass! I prob bought a set every 1 1/2 to 2 months... because I am a poor white boy. Ultimately new strings every gig is the way to go, but that wasnt feasible. Try em!

Musicians Friend has em for 20 bux, so does Music Have in Jtown... might want to check on that before u drive up here... they are known to change their prices on a whim.

If u think 115 is too heavy, they also offer a 45-105. I thought they sucked IMO cause they were so loose.

Bloodsong · Post by **Bloodsong** » Sunday Feb 26, 2006

if ya want, come to our next practice and try out danny's. hell up!!!

SpellboundByMetal · Post by **SpellboundByMetal** » Sunday Feb 26, 2006

fuckin right guys. thanks for the suggestions and hell yeah, man, i can test out those strings on his bass

THANKS!!

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Sunday Feb 26, 2006

If you're droppin that low B down a half step as well as everything else, you're gonna want a heavier gauge string. The tighter string tension should clean up the sloppy floppy string. Most low Bs (medium gauge) are between .130 and .135. A heavy gauge would be in the high .130s to the .140s.

With the heavier gauge strings and tighter string tension, your gonna have to make neck adjustments and tighten up the truss rod. If it still sounds like crap, it could be a number of things ranging from the pickups, to the bass itself, the amp, or the cab.

Since you're tuning so low, you will most likely lose some upper end tone, so I would look for nickel strings to give you a little bit brighter sound.

Lastly, if you're willing to get a new bass, a 35" scale bass would be a good switch. Although, it's hard to find a 35" scale 4 string. The only two I know of (that aren't custom jobs) are Peavey's G-bass (graphite wrapped neck) {$200-$300 used on Ebay} and the brand new Spector Euro435s (THE Ultimate rock bass!) {$2200 List, but probably worth it}.

Hope this helps.

Rock on.

Dan

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Sunday Feb 26, 2006

135 would be way too heavy...

he's only dropping a minor third away from A440

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Monday Feb 27, 2006

Low tuning is the reason why I now only exclusively play five strings. A quality-built five string is going to have a very tight and pronounced B string, even with only a 34 inch scale. Plus, since I'm a bass player, I think in terms of 4ths anyways.

I play in everything from standard 440, down to C# (plus I play my open B string). If I used four strings, I'd have to bring three different basses to each gig, because each would need a different setup to accomodate the different string guages and tunings. And I even still wish I had a hip-shot on my B string.

For bass strings, I personally prefer Dean Markely Blue Steels and Ken Smith Rockmasters for steel, and Fender for nickle. For fretless, I like Fender nylon tape-wounds. If you want a steel string with a warmer sound, I'd suggest Rotosound Swingbass.

Killjingle wrote: I always boiled them once after a few plays and was able to prolong their life... they sounded just as good till a 2nd boil was needed. From there I just went and bought another pair.

An even better solution to boiling strings is to put them alcohol (preferrably denatured, but if you use rubbing, be careful because there is a lot of water in it that can corrode strings). Just dip your strings in a container of alcohol for a few hours and they're get their zing back. Boiling utlimatley destroys strings because the water gets between the windings and corrodes the metal.

Also, a little bit beyond topic - If you are tuning that low, if you want to get the best tone possible, be sure you have a cabinet that can handle the frequency response of that range. Many cheaper speakers can only reproduce the fundemental. There's nothing greater sounding than a nice low growl with rich harmonic overtones.

DMFJ03 · Post by **DMFJ03** » Monday Feb 27, 2006

Back in the ESY days when my bass was in Drop C tuning, I just bought a set of 5-strings and dropped of the G. Little tweek in the neck, and a small modification to the nut and saddle and poof...magic. As far as string go, I recommend Curt Mangan.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Monday Feb 27, 2006

SBM, I assumed that Since you're tuning to low C# that you are using the lower 4 from a 5 string set of strings correct?

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Monday Feb 27, 2006

I simply used a 4 string set on a 4 string bass.

The 115 was perfect for going down 1 1/2 steps from the low E.

onegunguitar · Post by **onegunguitar** » Monday Feb 27, 2006

Killjingle wrote:I simply used a 4 string set on a 4 string bass.

The 115 was perfect for going down 1 1/2 steps from the low E.

Thanks Chad,he just needed a simple solution,although all the others were appreciated,I'm sure!!!

redawg · Post by **redawg** » Tuesday Feb 28, 2006

I hate Ernie Bunk strings forever

I've broken them half way through a show and I put the fuckers on right before the gig. They lose their tone fast. I'm not a big fan of GHS strings either. The ones I tried sounded half dead as soon as I put them on. They are murder on your frets but steel strings are my favorite.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Wednesday Mar 01, 2006

MOONDOGGY wrote:If you're droppin that low B down a half step as well as everything else, you're gonna want a heavier gauge string. The tighter string tension should clean up the sloppy floppy string. Most low Bs (medium gauge) are between .130 and .135. A heavy gauge would be in the high .130s to the .140s.

With the heavier gauge strings and tighter string tension, your gonna have to make neck adjustments and tighten up the truss rod. If it still sounds like crap, it could be a number of things ranging from the pickups, to the bass itself, the amp, or the cab.

Since you're tuning so low, you will most likely lose some upper end tone, so I would look for nickel strings to give you a little bit brighter sound.

Lastly, if you're willing to get a new bass, a 35" scale bass would be a good switch. Although, it's hard to find a 35" scale 4 string. The only two I know of (that aren't custom jobs) are Peavey's G-bass (graphite wrapped neck) {$200-$300 used on Ebay} and the brand new Spector Euro435s (THE Ultimate rock bass!) {$2200 List, but probably worth it}.

Hope this helps.

Rock on.

Dan

I think this is the biggest brain fart I've ever had! I just read this again and realized that I'm losing it! After playing for 8 years, apparently I still do not know my notes. With anything below low E, I just instinctively think 'B STRING!'. For some reason (other than me being an idiot) I then thought you were dropping your B down.

So.....I would NOT take my advice (unless your going from low B to, say a low A) and go with what everyone else said!

And next time I chime in with some technical mumbo jumbo bs advice, remind me of this thread and tell me nicely to 'shut it'.

TJ Kelly · Post by **TJ Kelly** » Wednesday Mar 08, 2006

DR Lowriders!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Friday Mar 10, 2006

TJ Kelly wrote:DR Lowriders!

Tim,

Do you have any experience with the Black Beauties? I'm thinking about them for my next string purchase.