Alternate tuning string recommendations

[ollieb3112]

Hello all, I’m fairly new to bass so my knowledge on string types and tensions is a little bit lacking. I gather that alternate tunings can’t be obtained by simply getting one set of heavy gauge strings and that I’ll most likely have to mix and match from multiple sets. My question is this : The bass guitar I want to be able to play alt tunings on is a Spector performer 4. Scale length 34”. I want to be able to play D standard, drop D and drop C tunings and I aim to get it set up professionally so all I want to know is which strings would everyone recommend to achieve the aforementioned alt tunings with my bass. Thank you

 

[Mister_GothFrak]

I use DR Neons, mainly. Drop C and C# tuning primarily.

120, 100, 80, 60, will probably do well.
FWIW, I got my 125g down to G#. It was a bit floppy but it worked. It should be fine in D, too.

String Tension Calculator has String joy and D'Addario I believe

Kalium Music | String Tension Calculator

kaliummusic.com

Those are all approximates but, there's plenty of flexibility depending on what you want. Start with what you think you'd like and experiment further from there.

 

[ollieb3112]

Thank you for your response, I appreciate the recommendations

I’m trying to use the tension calculator but I’m not entirely sure how it’s supposed to work. Do I just enter the gauges I want based on recommendations and go from there ? I’m not really well informed with music theory so I’m not sure what notes / tension they’re supposed to be.

Thanks again

 

[Mister_GothFrak]

yw

Yes. Don't stress it. It's not really that complicated. lol. Look at the defaults for long and short scale. Basically, anywhere from 25-50lbs per string is doable. lol. It's up to your preferences. I suggest keeping them all as close to the same as possible.
Look up what tunings you want to use and go with an average that works best for all of them.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Hello all, I’m fairly new to bass so my knowledge on string types and tensions is a little bit lacking. I gather that alternate tunings can’t be obtained by simply getting one set of heavy gauge strings and that I’ll most likely have to mix and match from multiple sets. My question is this : The bass guitar I want to be able to play alt tunings on is a Spector performer 4. Scale length 34”. I want to be able to play D standard, drop D and drop C tunings and I aim to get it set up professionally so all I want to know is which strings would everyone recommend to achieve the aforementioned alt tunings with my bass. Thank you

- Unless you happen to have a problem of acidic hand sweat and burn through strings, you might as well put together a set of single strings from an online vendor or a good physical store that offers the option. The alternative, i.e. getting three strings from one set (provided such a set exists in the first place) and replacing the fourth one with a single, may be marginally less expensive, but entails finding a source of singles anyway (well, it is true that large-gauge single strings, usually used for low B, are easier to find compared to the rest of the range; but still).

- Assuming you'd spend an equal amount of time in all three tunings you've mentioned, I would choose "optimal" gauges for D standard, since each string would live in the relevant pitch for that tuning 66% of the time. Now,
-- what "optimal" means in your case depends on personal taste. Just as a rough guide,
--- 50-65-85-120 may be a good starting point if a firm tension is a priority
--- 45-60-80-115 (or 110) if you actually seek the typical tone of "normal"-gauge, downtuned strings.

- Regarding setup, have your guitar tech person do it with the bass tuned at midpoint (drop Db/C#), so that the result works as a passable compromise for all three tunings.

- Adjust to taste and priority, if your expect the amount of time *not* to be equal (in which case, playability/tone of one of the tunings might be sacrificed in favour of those of the other two).
To be honest, in your shoes I would just tune to drop C and use a capo on the 2nd fret when needed.

 

[ollieb3112]

- Unless you happen to have a problem of acidic hand sweat and burn through strings, you might as well put together a set of single strings from an online vendor or a good physical store that offers the option. The alternative, i.e. getting three strings from one set (provided such a set exists in the first place) and replacing the fourth one with a single, may be marginally less expensive, but entails finding a source of singles anyway (well, it is true that large-gauge single strings, usually used for low B, are easier to find compared to the rest of the range; but still).

- Assuming you'd spend an equal amount of time in all three tunings you've mentioned, I would choose "optimal" gauges for D standard, since each string would live in the relevant pitch for that tuning 66% of the time. Now,
-- what "optimal" means in your case depends on personal taste. Just as a rough guide,
--- 50-65-85-120 may be a good starting point if a firm tension is a priority
--- 45-60-80-115 (or 110) if you actually seek the typical tone of "normal"-gauge, downtuned strings.

- Regarding setup, have your guitar tech person do it with the bass tuned at midpoint (drop Db/C#), so that the result works as a passable compromise for all three tunings.

- Adjust to taste and priority, if your expect the amount of time *not* to be equal (in which case, playability/tone of one of the tunings might be sacrificed in favour of those of the other two).
To be honest, in your shoes I would just tune to drop C and use a capo on the 2nd fret when n

Thanks for the response man, lot of information but I think I understand. I ended up by a custom string set based on recommendations and got the gauges 60,80,100,120.

I’m not entirely sure how a capo works , like I said very new to the whole scene , I essentially just wanna play some songs ( deftones, obiturary, cannibal corpse, immolation ETC…)in the right tunings.

So when dropping the guitar off to be adjusted you’d recommend asking them to tune it to drop c#?

 

[MrAB4003]

Hello all, I’m fairly new to bass so my knowledge on string types and tensions is a little bit lacking. I gather that alternate tunings can’t be obtained by simply getting one set of heavy gauge strings and that I’ll most likely have to mix and match from multiple sets. My question is this : The bass guitar I want to be able to play alt tunings on is a Spector performer 4. Scale length 34”. I want to be able to play D standard, drop D and drop C tunings and I aim to get it set up professionally so all I want to know is which strings would everyone recommend to achieve the aforementioned alt tunings with my bass. Thank you

How much tension do you like your strings to have? That plays a huge role in finding the right gauge.

I prefer looser strings and I play in D Standard exclusively. So I play medium gauge (50-105) D’Addario nickel rounds and regular light gauge (45-100) D’Addario Chromes on my basses.

 

[ollieb3112]

How much tension do you like your strings to have? That plays a huge role in finding the right gauge.

I prefer looser strings and I play in D Standard exclusively. So I play medium gauge (50-105) D’Addario nickel rounds and regular light gauge (45-100) D’Addario Chromes on my basses.

I’d say probably somewhere in the middle , I’ve had it where the tension is too slack for my liking and have also had it the other way round. As long as they’re not too tight or loose I’d be pretty happy